Google is making a change to how YouTube previews and links appear in conversations within the Google Messages app. Previously, when sending a link to a YouTube video to another Android user, the URL would be displayed at the top followed by a preview of the video. However, with the new update, the URL will no longer be visible.
The changes include:
* Removing the URL from the link in most situations
* A taller and larger preview image of the video
* A lighter background and stand-out text
However, if you include a comment when sharing the link, the URL will remain on top of the preview. Users can also disable this feature by going to Messages Settings > Automatic previews and disabling “Show all previews” or “Show only web link previews”.
The change has already appeared on some Android devices, including Pixel 6 Pro running Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2. This change may upset some users, especially those who prefer to view YouTube videos directly from the app rather than through the picture-in-picture player.
The reason behind this change is unclear, but it’s possible that some users prefer not to take an extra step to view content in full-size.
Source: https://www.phonearena.com/news/google-messages-unpopular-change-to-youtube-video-links_id176182