Description
Currently, the app displays video upload dates in a fixed format like:
May 21, 2026
and uses relative timestamps such as:
7 months ago
However, these behaviors are not customizable, and the placement of relative vs exact dates is also fixed across the interface.
This can limit usability for users who prefer different formats, regional conventions, or control over how time information is presented.
Suggested Improvement: Fully Customizable Date Display
Introduce a complete customization system for how dates and time information are displayed across the app.
Users should be able to control:
Whether relative time is shown
Whether exact upload dates are shown
Where each type of date appears
The format of exact dates
1. Date Format Customization
Allow users to choose from multiple formats:
May 21, 2026
21 May 2026
2026-05-21 (ISO 8601)
21/05/2026
05/21/2026
Default behavior should follow the user’s system locale (device region settings), but allow full manual override.
2. Toggle Relative vs Exact Time Display
Let users choose what they want to see in different contexts:
Show relative time only (e.g., 7 months ago)
Show exact date only (e.g., May 21, 2026)
Show both together (e.g., 7 months ago • May 21, 2026)
3. Fully Customizable Placement (Where Each Appears)
Allow users to decide where each type appears:
Video watch page (main view)
Video description (“View more”)
Video lists, search results, recommendations
Shorts
Offline/downloaded videos
Playlists and channel pages
Each area could independently support:
Relative time
Exact date
Both
Or none
Why This Would Be Useful
Supports global users with different date format preferences
Gives full control over how time information is displayed
Reduces confusion caused by mixed regional formats
Improves accessibility for users who prefer exact dates over relative time (or vice versa)
Allows power users to tailor the experience to their workflow
Maintains flexibility while preserving familiar defaults
Possible Implementation Ideas
Add a dedicated settings section: Preferences → Date & Time Display
Provide global defaults plus per-section overrides
Default to system locale + YouTube-like relative time behavior for simplicity
Ensure changes apply consistently across all video-related surfaces
Example Configurations
Default (YouTube-like):
Lists: 7 months ago
Watch page: 7 months ago
Description: May 21, 2026
Exact-date focused:
Lists: May 21, 2026
Watch page: May 21, 2026
Description: hidden or optional
Mixed mode:
Watch page: 7 months ago • May 21, 2026
Description
Currently, the app displays video upload dates in a fixed format like:
May 21, 2026
and uses relative timestamps such as:
7 months ago
However, these behaviors are not customizable, and the placement of relative vs exact dates is also fixed across the interface.
This can limit usability for users who prefer different formats, regional conventions, or control over how time information is presented.
Suggested Improvement: Fully Customizable Date Display
Introduce a complete customization system for how dates and time information are displayed across the app.
Users should be able to control:
Whether relative time is shown
Whether exact upload dates are shown
Where each type of date appears
The format of exact dates
1. Date Format Customization
Allow users to choose from multiple formats:
May 21, 2026
21 May 2026
2026-05-21 (ISO 8601)
21/05/2026
05/21/2026
Default behavior should follow the user’s system locale (device region settings), but allow full manual override.
2. Toggle Relative vs Exact Time Display
Let users choose what they want to see in different contexts:
Show relative time only (e.g., 7 months ago)
Show exact date only (e.g., May 21, 2026)
Show both together (e.g., 7 months ago • May 21, 2026)
3. Fully Customizable Placement (Where Each Appears)
Allow users to decide where each type appears:
Video watch page (main view)
Video description (“View more”)
Video lists, search results, recommendations
Shorts
Offline/downloaded videos
Playlists and channel pages
Each area could independently support:
Relative time
Exact date
Both
Or none
Why This Would Be Useful
Supports global users with different date format preferences
Gives full control over how time information is displayed
Reduces confusion caused by mixed regional formats
Improves accessibility for users who prefer exact dates over relative time (or vice versa)
Allows power users to tailor the experience to their workflow
Maintains flexibility while preserving familiar defaults
Possible Implementation Ideas
Add a dedicated settings section: Preferences → Date & Time Display
Provide global defaults plus per-section overrides
Default to system locale + YouTube-like relative time behavior for simplicity
Ensure changes apply consistently across all video-related surfaces
Example Configurations
Default (YouTube-like):
Lists: 7 months ago
Watch page: 7 months ago
Description: May 21, 2026
Exact-date focused:
Lists: May 21, 2026
Watch page: May 21, 2026
Description: hidden or optional
Mixed mode:
Watch page: 7 months ago • May 21, 2026