YouTube has rolled out a new feature involving a like button that includes a brief animation in response to user engagement on selected videos. This feature was initially announced in mid-October as part of several updates aimed at enhancing user experience on the platform.
Currently, there are 20 distinctive animations available, tailored to match the genre of the video being viewed. For instance, when a user likes a video focused on cars or racing, the like button transforms into a spinning tire animation with smoke effects. Conversely, if the content is educational, the like button displays a shining lightbulb after being clicked.
For those interested in seeing all 20 animations without searching through various video genres, two short videos showcasing the animations have been shared by user Andreas Storm on X, as noted by Android Authority. While animations for dog and cat videos are included, there is a reported absence of similar features for videos featuring babies.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/810319/youtube-like-button-animation-genre-user-interface-update