The "RedGifs Old UI" (often referred to as V2 or the "pre-V3" layout) remains a major point of discussion in the community due to the controversial rollout of the V3 interface. The transition from the old UI to the current one was marked by a shift towards a "TikTok-style" vertical scroll, which many users and creators found unusable on desktop. Timeline of UI Changes
This paper examines the design, functionality, community impact, and lifecycle of Redgifs’ old user interface (UI). Combining qualitative analysis of UX patterns, quantitative metrics drawn from historical usage data, and interviews with users, moderators, and designers, the study traces how the old UI shaped content discovery, moderation practices, and community norms, why it was replaced, and what lessons it offers for future adult-content platforms.
Shortly after the launch, adding ?old=true to the URL worked, but the platform quickly patched this. redgifs old ui
: Critics have argued that the new UI prioritizes ad space and redirects over user experience, making it harder to expand videos into landscape mode on mobile and desktop.
Recent updates (around late 2024 and 2025) introduced "RedGifs Studio," which many creators find confusing for basic tasks like managing links or viewing their own uploads. Hidden Features: The "RedGifs Old UI" (often referred to as
: At various points, subdomains like v2.redgifs.com or lite.redgifs.com provided temporary access to older or simplified styles, though these are often phased out by the developers.
To understand the demand, we have to remember what we lost. The (generally referring to the layout from 2020 through mid-2022) was a masterclass in utilitarian design. It mimicked the golden era of Gfycat and Imgur—prioritizing density, speed, and discoverability over algorithmic rabbit holes. Turn off autoplay in browser
The community has been vocal about several regressions observed after moving away from the old design: