YouTube has hidden the number of dislikes, not the button. You can still press the thumbs down button. On your own videos, you can see the numbers in YouTube Studio. Want to see the dislikes on another video? A browser extension may show a number, but it is not necessarily YouTube’s exact count. Limiting targeted dislike campaigns is one possible reason for the change.
Below, you’ll read what changed, what you can still check and how to assess a video without a dislike count.
Why is the YouTube dislike count hidden?
By hiding the count, YouTube makes negative reactions less visible. You can still indicate that you do not like a video. Other viewers simply cannot see how many dislikes the video has.
One possible reason is to limit actions where many people collectively dislike a video. Without the count, they cannot follow the public result of such an action as easily. A hidden count may also prevent you from rejecting a video before you have watched it.
These are possible reasons, not a confirmed explanation from YouTube. It also does not mean that such negative campaigns have disappeared because of the change.
For viewers, there is a disadvantage: you miss a quick indication that others were dissatisfied. With a tutorial, that number could help you decide whether you wanted to keep watching. But a dislike did not tell you why someone was dissatisfied. An error in the explanation and an unpleasant voice could both result in a thumbs down.
The YouTube dislike button is still there
The button, the public count and your own video data are three different things:
| Component | What does it mean? |
|---|---|
| Dislike button | This indicates that you do not like a video. |
| Public dislike count | The number of dislikes that viewers used to be able to see on a video. That number is now hidden. |
| Your own video statistics | Data about the videos you have posted yourself, including dislikes. |
A missing visible count therefore does not mean that a video has zero dislikes. You simply cannot read the number on the regular video page.
Where can you see dislikes on your own YouTube video?
According to YouTube Help about video statistics you can view the exact dislike counts for your own videos in YouTube Studio.
In your video statistics, look for the overview with likes and dislikes. The name and location may differ by language or version. Can’t find the overview? Follow the explanation on the linked help page.
A number of dislikes does not tell you what you should change. Therefore, also watch the video itself and read the comments for more explanation.
A fictional example: you post a video about inflating a bicycle tyre. You see dislikes and read that you do not mention the type of valve. You can use that comment to improve your explanation. The number of dislikes alone does not tell you what is missing.
What do YouTube dislikes do to your recommendations?
Dislikes help YouTube understand which videos you want to see less of. This is stated in the YouTube explanation about recommendations.
A dislike therefore communicates your preference. One dislike does not mean that a topic will never appear again. Nor can you infer how much reach the creator loses from it.
If you do not like a video, you can still use the button. It simply does not let you determine exactly which videos YouTube shows you afterwards.
How reliable are YouTube dislikes from an extension?
A browser extension is an additional program that you add to your browser. Tools such as Return YouTube Dislike are intended to show a dislike count again. That number is not automatically YouTube’s official total.
Pay attention to the difference between these types of data:
- Official counts: data that YouTube itself makes available for your video.
- Older data: counts recorded earlier. They do not necessarily match today’s total.
- Estimates: calculated counts. The result depends on the data and assumptions used.
The word API also says nothing about accuracy by itself. An API is a connection that allows programs to exchange data. Such a connection does not automatically give an extension access to the official dislikes for every video.
Before installation, check which data the extension uses. Read how the program makes estimates and what access it requests from your browser. Is that unclear? Then do not use the displayed number as proof that a video is good or bad.
How to assess a YouTube video without a dislike count
With a tutorial video, you mainly want to know whether the steps are correct. Therefore, check these points:
- Does the explanation fit your situation? Check whether the video is about the same device, app or component.
- How old is the video? With software, an older version may have different features.
- Are there concrete comments below it? “The option is missing in the new version” is more helpful than “bad video”. Comments describe other people’s experiences, but are not proof on their own.
- Can you see the result? Check whether the creator shows that the steps work.
- Can you check important steps somewhere else? For example, read the manufacturer’s manual before erasing settings or taking anything apart.
A fictional example: you are looking for how to open a battery powered bicycle light. First check whether the light shown resembles your model. Does the video not show where the cover is? Then get the manual before prying with a screwdriver.
Is a video not playing because of a country restriction? That is separate from the hidden count. Then read about a YouTube video that is unavailable in your country.
What can you do with YouTube dislikes as a small creator?
With a small channel, one negative reaction can attract a lot of attention. First see whether you can find a specific cause. Does your title match what you show? Do you skip a step? Are you easy to understand?
Then choose one improvement for your next video. If an action passes too quickly, keep it on screen longer. In the explanation about editing a YouTube video you can read how to edit your video.
Want to know how to get more likes? Read more about getting more likes on YouTube. That is a different question, though: the number of likes does not tell you why a viewer stops watching. Once your account is working as intended, you can explore our YouTube services to compare packages for subscribers and views for your public profile or content.
