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

Question

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?

LarsAlereon · Accepted Answer

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.

sgt · Answer

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.

floxy · Answer

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?

Leftium · Answer

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

krapp · Answer

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

numtel · Answer

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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