14 DAY TRIAL // YouTube's massive overhaul is apparently just about to be launched having been in the works for several months now. The new design, which YouTube says is the biggest change in the site's five-year history, is set to go live for everyone later today, according to an email sent to YouTube partners uncovered by TechCrunch.
"Dear Partner, We want to provide you with an update on YouTube’s new video page, which we’ve been hard at work on for the last several months," the email read. "On Wednesday, March 31st we’re happy to let you know that we’ll be transitioning all YouTube videos to this new video page. This new video page makeover is one of the biggest redesigns in YouTube history — and we’re excited to make YouTube a better place for you and your content!"
The email says it all, the revamped design will go live today after being available for testers since the beginning of the year. It will be the biggest update since the video site launched and Google's fingerprints are all over the changes. The redesign affects all sections of the site and several areas are getting some significant updates and changes in functionality on top of the visual enhancements.
YouTube has introduced the new site for testing in January. Since then, it has constantly released new features and tweaked the changes based on the feedback. YouTube has also offered a way for curious users to opt-in for the beta homepage, though it wasn't the most intuitive method out there.
The biggest emphasis is on less clutter, cleaner lines and a much sleeker design. YouTube takes a lot of cues from Google's 'school of design' keeping things minimal and functional. Plenty of YouTube features are getting a revamp as well, including a brand-new 'like/dislike' system to replace 'stars,' an overhauled comments system, which brings forward the most relevant messages, a new search-results page and a new playlist with 'autoplay.'