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Ask HN: Why does YouTube NOT have a fill window button in the browser

By fill window, I mean in window fullscreen, like all other streaming websites. It can't be a technological issue as there are simple browser add-ons that do it. As a YouTube Premium user, I use it much more like Hulu / Netflix / etc.. and watch longer length content. I can't for the life of me figure out why they are overlooking this functionality and keep wondering if there's another reason for it, such as hoping to keep users engaged with the rest of the site?

numtel 4y ago
If you use Firefox, you can use the video pop out mode to make it whatever size you want.
sgt 4y ago
I don't know, but the YouTube UX has gradually evolved over time and there is definitely some serious thought behind it, perhaps even behind seemingly small features (or lack thereof) such as this. All to increase engagement and ad exposure, so I wouldn't be surprised it's intentional.
LarsAlereon 4y ago
They want to keep the focus on interacting with the channel, so making sure comments and interaction prompts are visible. Theater mode is an improvement but not quite what you're looking for.
krapp 4y ago
It does? It's on the far right bottom corner of the video window. Pressing the f key also works (at least for me.)
- bigmattystyles 4y ago
  No, I'm talking about fill window - where it's just the video in the browser window but it itself is not maximized. Not full screen. Every (ok, most) other streaming services have this option.
  - krapp 4y ago
    Theatre mode? Second button from the right.
    - bigmattystyles 4y ago
      It doesn't fill the window completely, it still has the search banner and the description below, etc...
floxy 4y ago
What features are missing when you click on the "box" icon?: ┌ ┐ └ ┘ ...once it is in full screen mode, you can then use the mouse wheel to scroll down further to see comments, etc.. Are you talking about multiple monitor setups?
- bigmattystyles 4y ago
  No, I'm talking about fill window - where it's just the video in the browser window but it itself is not maximized. Not full screen. Every (ok, most) other streaming services have this option.
  - floxy 4y ago
    Ah, got it.
  - HomeLine 4y ago
    What does that accomplish that PiP does not?
Leftium 4y ago
https://github.com/Zren/ResizeYoutubePlayerToWindowSize/ https://github.com/Zren/ResizeYoutubePlayerToWindowSize/ You're welcome ^^

numtel 4y ago

If you use Firefox, you can use the video pop out mode to make it whatever size you want.

sgt 4y ago

I don't know, but the YouTube UX has gradually evolved over time and there is definitely some serious thought behind it, perhaps even behind seemingly small features (or lack thereof) such as this. All to increase engagement and ad exposure, so I wouldn't be surprised it's intentional.

LarsAlereon 4y ago

They want to keep the focus on interacting with the channel, so making sure comments and interaction prompts are visible. Theater mode is an improvement but not quite what you're looking for.

krapp 4y ago

It does? It's on the far right bottom corner of the video window. Pressing the f key also works (at least for me.)

bigmattystyles 4y ago
No, I'm talking about fill window - where it's just the video in the browser window but it itself is not maximized. Not full screen. Every (ok, most) other streaming services have this option.
- krapp 4y ago
  Theatre mode? Second button from the right.
  - bigmattystyles 4y ago
    It doesn't fill the window completely, it still has the search banner and the description below, etc...

floxy 4y ago

What features are missing when you click on the "box" icon?: ┌ ┐ └ ┘ ...once it is in full screen mode, you can then use the mouse wheel to scroll down further to see comments, etc.. Are you talking about multiple monitor setups?

bigmattystyles 4y ago
No, I'm talking about fill window - where it's just the video in the browser window but it itself is not maximized. Not full screen. Every (ok, most) other streaming services have this option.
- floxy 4y ago
  Ah, got it.
- HomeLine 4y ago
  What does that accomplish that PiP does not?

Leftium 4y ago

https://github.com/Zren/ResizeYoutubePlayerToWindowSize/ https://github.com/Zren/ResizeYoutubePlayerToWindowSize/ You're welcome ^^