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Fact check: Where are the comments on uTube presentations
1. Summary of the results
Based on the analyses provided, YouTube comments are located in several different places depending on the platform and recent interface changes:
- Traditional desktop layout: Comments appear below the video player on the main video page [1]
- Recent desktop changes: YouTube has moved the comments section to the right side of the video, with suggested videos now appearing underneath the video player, representing a significant departure from the iconic YouTube layout [2]
- Mobile interface updates: YouTube is currently testing a new mobile UI that hides the comment section from the main screen, requiring users to tap on a dropdown button to access comments [3]
- Smart TVs and game consoles: Comments are accessible through specific navigation methods on these platforms [1]
Users can interact with comments using sorting options and organizational tools provided by YouTube [1]. However, content creators have control over comment visibility through YouTube Studio settings, where they can turn comments on, off, or pause them entirely [4].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question lacks important context about content creator control over comments. Many YouTube presentations may appear to have no comments because:
- News channels and content creators frequently disable comments on their videos, preventing user engagement and opinion sharing [5]
- YouTube's moderation policies have been relaxed, allowing more content to remain on the platform even if it violates some rules, which affects how comments are managed [6]
- Platform policy changes regarding community guidelines impact comment visibility and management [7] [8]
Content creators benefit from disabling comments by avoiding negative feedback, controversial discussions, or the need for active moderation. YouTube benefits from these UI changes by potentially increasing user engagement with suggested content and maintaining advertiser-friendly environments.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question assumes that comments should be universally visible on YouTube presentations, which reflects a bias toward open discussion. However, this overlooks several realities:
- Creator autonomy: The question doesn't acknowledge that content creators have legitimate reasons for disabling comments, including avoiding harassment or maintaining professional presentation standards [4]
- Platform evolution: The question doesn't account for YouTube's ongoing interface changes that may make comments less immediately visible [3] [2]
- Technical variations: The question assumes a uniform comment experience across all devices and platforms, when the reality varies significantly between desktop, mobile, and TV interfaces [1] [3] [2]
The framing suggests that missing comments represent a problem rather than a deliberate design choice by either the platform or content creators.