MrBeast’s Manager Asks, Is YouTube Tricking Us?

Published 01/21/2023, 11:00 AM EST

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YouTube Shorts, the short-form video feature on YouTube, was gaining popularity since its launch in September 2020. However, some users raised concerns about the user interface (UI) of the feature, specifically the placement of the subscribe button.

And recently MrBeast‘s manager, Reed Duchscher, shared his thoughts on the matter on LinkedIn, stating that the current UI of YouTube Shorts may have been taking advantage of dark pattern design.

What does Reed Duchscher have to say about YouTube’s UI?

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In a post on LinkedIn, Duchscher shared his experience with using YouTube Shorts, stating that the subscribe button was placed right where he was scrolling, which led to him accidentally subscribing to a ton of channels through the feed. He also mentioned that he couldn’t be the only one experiencing this issue and that it may have been artificially inflating subscriber counts.

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Dark pattern design refers to the use of manipulative design elements to trick users into taking actions they may not have intended to take. In the case of YouTube Shorts, the placement of the subscribe button in such a way that it was easy to accidentally tap may have been considered a form of dark pattern design.

The concerns raised by Duchscher prompted a response from YouTube. It stated that they were aware of the issue and were working on making changes to the UI of YouTube Shorts to address it.

What is the potential future of YouTube Shorts if the same keeps happening?

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YouTube did not announce when the changes to the UI of YouTube Shorts would be implemented. But users could expect to see some changes in the near future. These changes would likely address the placement of the subscribe button and other elements of the UI that may have been contributing to the problem.

It is important to address these concerns about the user interface of YouTube Shorts as it could impact the future of the feature. If the current UI is not fixed, it could lead to a loss of trust from users. And potentially harm the growth and success of YouTube Shorts. It is crucial for the video streaming platform to take swift action in addressing these issues. It would ensure a positive user experience and maintain the trust of its users.

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Written by:

Shivaditya Ghoshal

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Shivaditya Ghoshal is an eSports writer at EssentiallySports. He holds a Bachelor's in Computer Applications and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Commerce from Lucknow. Shivaditya holds a keen passion for video games and follows all the latest releases and trends in the gaming industry.
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Edited by:

Jito Tenson