What ‘Verts’ Is and Where You’ll Find It
Disney+ has introduced a new feature called Verts that shows content in a vertical, swipe-based format, similar to how short videos are consumed on social media apps. Instead of searching only through menus and categories, users can now discover titles by scrolling through short scenes and moments.
Verts appears inside the Disney+ mobile app through a dedicated Verts icon in the navigation bar. Once opened, the feed lets viewers swipe vertically through clips taken from movies and shows already available on Disney+. The idea is to make discovery feel faster, more visual, and more “in the moment” than traditional browsing.
How TikTok-Style Discovery Changes Streaming Habits
Streaming services are increasingly competing on discovery, not just on content libraries. Many users spend more time deciding what to watch than actually watching. A vertical feed is designed to reduce that friction by showing highlights, hooks, and memorable scenes upfront.
This style of browsing can also change how people pick content. Instead of choosing based on a poster, a trailer, or a title description, viewers react to a clip. If the scene feels interesting, they can immediately jump into the full episode or movie.
For Disney+, this approach can help surface older library content that users may not normally search for, and it can also push new releases faster because a good clip can spread attention quickly inside the app.
Watchlist and Instant Play: What Users Can Do in the Feed
Disney+ says Verts is built for quick actions while browsing. As users scroll, they can add a title directly to their Watchlist without leaving the feed. They can also start watching immediately if a clip convinces them to continue.
This is important from a product perspective because it connects discovery to conversion in one step. A user who is interested does not have to back out, search, or find the title again. That reduces drop-offs and can boost total watch time.
For everyday users, the benefit is convenience. If you are unsure what to watch, Verts gives you a stream of options, and you can quickly save anything you like for later.
Personalised Recommendations and the Engagement Push
Disney says early tests of Verts increased engagement on the platform. The company linked this improvement to an advanced recommendation algorithm that personalises the feed for each user.
Personalised feeds can keep viewers scrolling longer because the system learns what types of stories, franchises, and genres you respond to. For example, if a user often watches Marvel, Pixar, or Star Wars content, the feed can prioritise similar clips to keep discovery relevant.
The trade-off is that highly personalised feeds can create a narrow viewing loop, where you see more of what you already like and less of what is outside your usual preferences. For users, it helps to occasionally explore manually as well, so recommendations do not become repetitive.
What’s Next: Creators, New Formats, and Fan Community Content
Disney has signalled that Verts is only the first phase of its vertical video plans. In future versions, the company may expand the feed to include content from creators connected to Disney’s fan communities, along with new storytelling formats and more personalised experiences.
If that expansion happens, it could bring Disney+ closer to a hybrid model—part streaming service, part community-driven discovery platform. That would also open new ways for Disney to promote franchises and connect fans with behind-the-scenes clips, short-form extras, or interactive storytelling.
For subscribers, the big question will be how Disney balances short-form discovery with the main purpose of Disney+: long-form movies and series. If Verts stays focused on helping people find full titles faster, it can be a useful feature. If it becomes too crowded with separate creator content, it could feel like a different app experience.
