Unite/Merge paths creating groups instead of Compound path
When trying to combine individual paths (text outlines, shapes, etc) the pathfinder tool seems to be creating groups, rather than creating a compound path as expected.
Other colleagues have been experiencing similar issues. Video attached.

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Sara commented
Agreed! It should do the same as in the desktop version. It should merge the shapes, not just group them. (this is different from creating compound shapes.)
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Elizabeth commented
I am experiencing this issue as well. Using AI 25.1. I tried Egor Chistyakov's suggestion to make compound path/hold Option/Alt while clicking Unite to enable the Expand, and then click that. The result was no different for me when I did that.
What gets me about this is that it worked just fine with other shapes in my document, but there are a few shapes that it will not merge.
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Anonymous commented
go into the group and select the path you want then move into a separate layer. Delete the rest.
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I might be wrong but it's always like this. If you want to create compound path, 'Make compound path' or use Alt+Unite then Expand.
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Simonne Brown commented
Illustrator CC 23.0.2