YouTube's New Comment Redesign: A Threadbare Attempt at Improvement?

YouTube's New Comment Redesign: A Threadbare Attempt at Improvement?

YouTube's recent comment section redesign for Android and iOS has sparked a wave of criticism, with users questioning the functionality and purpose of the new "thread" indicator. While seemingly inspired by the threaded comment systems of platforms like Reddit, the implementation falls drastically short, leaving many wondering if this change is a step forward or a stumble backward. This article delves into the specifics of the redesign, exploring its shortcomings, potential improvements, and the overall impact on the YouTube user experience. A Visual Thread, But No Real Connection: The most prominent feature of the redesign is the introduction of a visual "thread" indicator. This line connects the profile picture of the original commenter to subsequent replies, attempting to visually represent a conversation thread. However, this visual cue is where the threading ends. Unlike Reddit, where replies are nested and clearly delineated within a thread, YouTube'…