YouTube's New Navigation Bar Change Is Driving Users Nuts

YouTube is no stranger to making arbitrary changes users just cannot stand. While some cool new features added to the video-sharing platform more recently optimized the user experience with features like conversational search and On-the-go mode, others, like when YouTube made users' TV experience worse on purpose via unskippable ads, show the company isn't completely tuned in to what people enjoy and loathe about its interface.

It seems the latest alteration to the app's navigation bar warrants several thumbs down – that is, if users can find the dislike button. In November 2026, YouTube unveiled a new navigation bar design that noticeably omits the "Subscriptions" option. The button, labeled "Subs," unassumingly hides on the top menu between the Home and Movies & TV options. Needless to say, some users were annoyed to discover the tab was no longer in its usual location.

"Who on earth decided that this is good design?" one Reddit user asked. The "Library" tab is also noticeably missing in action. Users now must navigate to their profiles to be able to view recent videos, downloads, playlists, and other selections usually found in their libraries. On top of moving these buttons to another location, users also observed that YouTube gave the navigation bar a liquid glass finish and a floating presentation.

YouTube's recent changes might seem like measures to declutter the navigation bar and further highlight the app's most important features, but it really emphasizes aspects it wants you to see and use most. The app has been pushing its Shorts section to rival TikTok and Instagram Reels, giving viewers quick dopamine hits. This could be considered a win for fans of short clips, avid doom-scrollers, and those who simply don't have the time to consume lengthier content.

However, Shorts are seemingly inundating feeds, much to some users' annoyance. So certain viewers have even disabled Shorts because they find them unnecessary, especially for those who are on the app for long-form content. Be that as it may, it seems YouTube is still bent on making "fetch" happen, having retained Shorts on the home navigation bar over users' subscriptions tab. The other option, besides "Home" and "Profile," that made the cut is the "Upload" button, a tab that allows content creators to film videos, record live streams, and upload posts straight from their devices.

Its presence indicates that YouTube is eager to make Shorts a, if not "the," premiere service on its platform, much to the chagrin of those already sick of it. It makes one wonder how often users are uploading videos from their phone. Hopefully enough to justify the tab's placement. Regardless, Shorts aren't going anywhere, so users may have to get used to how it'll further alter the platform in future app updates.