YouTube Gets Major Redesign

It might already be one of the most popular websites on the Internet, but that hasn't stopped YouTube from trying to improve its appeal with a major redesign. YouTube management calls the update a "fresh coat of digital paint," though not everyone agrees it's a turn for the better.

YouTube says on its blog that the new design is intended to make using the site a lot easier, from finding and following channels to recommending videos to friends and linking YouTube content with Google+ and Facebook accounts. For example, videos uploaded to YouTube can now automatically be seen on those social networking sites.

Redesign Targets Hardcore Fans

Upon reaching YouTube's main page, the redesign is immediately visible.

Most obviously, the recently unveiled "homepage feed" has been moved to the central area of the screen. This feed is designed to recommend channels, programs and videos that may be most relevant to a user's interests, based on their previous site activities. (Source: time.com)

Most of the redesign changes are targeted at hardcore YouTube users, giving them tools that make uploading videos easier than ever before while adding a variety of new personalization options.

Casual Video Watchers Upset with Changes

However, many of YouTube's more casual fans -- and there are a lot of them -- are now complaining that the redesign makes navigating the site more difficult.

In fact, nearly 10,000 folks disliked YouTube's own video showing off the changes, compared with just over 3,000 who liked it -- a statistical indicator that people aren't happy with the redesign.

"They're turning [YouTube] into TV, pretty soon there will be no interaction, and you will not be able to find any actual useful vids [at] all," says YouTube user KriegKadaver.

The focus of the YouTube update is clearly on helping people make and upload more professional-looking videos -- but some observers say it may have come at the cost of alienating the millions of users who just like watching videos. (Source: pcworld.com)