YouTube’s end-screens finally meet their off switch

A lot of YouTube users have been annoyed by end screens covering the last moments of a video. These overlays, like recommended videos or channel links, often block the final shot viewers want to see. Now, YouTube is adding a new button so you can remove these pop-ups as they show up.

The new Hide button appears in the top-right corner when an end screen pops up (via TechCrunch). If you tap it, the overlays go away instantly, so you can watch the ending without anything in the way. If you want them back, just tap Show. However, this feature only works for each video you watch, so you’ll need to hide the end screen every time if you want a clear view.

This change comes after repeated complaints that end screens can ruin the final moment of a video and make it harder to focus on the actual content, as per a YouTube support page. Interestingly, YouTube’s own testing showed that allowing viewers to hide these pop-ups had very little effect on engagement. In trials, less than 1.5% fewer clicks came from end screens once the Hide button was available.

Say goodbye to the hover-to-subscribe shortcut

YouTube is also removing another feature that didn’t get much use. The hover-to-subscribe button, which appeared when you moved your mouse over a channel’s watermark on desktop, is going away. YouTube says it just added clutter and led to less than 0.05% of all subscriptions. By removing it, YouTube hopes to make watching videos simpler and focus on better ways to engage viewers.

Creators can still use end screens and branding in their videos, and viewers can interact with them if they want. The main change is that people are no longer forced to see them.

The Hide button is rolling out worldwide and should already be available for many users. Even though you can’t turn off end screens for good, this update shows YouTube is listening to feedback and letting viewers have more control.