YouTube adds Hide button for end screens, drops hover-to-subscribe

YouTube on Wednesday introduced a new Hide button that lets viewers dismiss the popups and video recommendations that appear at the end of most videos, and it said it will remove a rarely used desktop subscribe shortcut as part of the same set of interface tweaks. The changes are intended to reduce distractions at the end of videos while preserving creators ability to use end screens and channel branding.

When an end screen appears, a Hide button will be visible in the top right corner of the video player. Tapping or clicking it removes the overlays for the current video; users can restore them by selecting a Show button. YouTube emphasized the setting applies on a per-video basis, so viewers who want a clear view on every clip will need to hide the overlays each time a new video begins. The company said the Hide control is rolling out worldwide and is already available to many viewers.

YouTube said the update responds to user feedback that end screens can obstruct the final moments of a video and make it harder to focus on the content. End screens typically include suggested videos, subscribe prompts and links that creators use to boost engagement, but many watchers have...