YouTube Removes Dislike Count - What You Need to Know

YouTube Announces Private Dislike Counts

YouTube has recently declared its intention to privatize the visibility of “dislike” counts on all videos hosted on its platform. This decision is anticipated to generate debate, considering its impact on public perception of video reception. However, YouTube maintains that this alteration will serve to better safeguard creators from harassment and mitigate the occurrence of what it terms “dislike attacks”—coordinated efforts to inflate the number of dislikes a video receives.

Dislike Button Remains Functional

Despite the removal of public dislike counts, the dislike button itself will not be eliminated. Users will still be able to utilize the thumbs down button to privately convey their disapproval to creators. Creators, should they choose, will retain access to dislike data within YouTube Studio, alongside other video performance analytics.

Experimentation and Findings

This change is the result of an experiment conducted earlier in the year, designed to assess the effects of such modifications on reducing dislike attacks and creator harassment. YouTube previously explained that visible dislike counts can negatively impact creator well-being and potentially incite targeted dislike campaigns.

The Dual Nature of Dislikes

While acknowledging the potential for harm, YouTube recognizes that dislikes can also function as a valuable signal to viewers, identifying videos that are misleading, spam, or simply clickbait. The company also noted that smaller creators and those new to the platform expressed feeling unfairly targeted by dislike attacks.

Data and Analysis

The experiment confirmed that creators with smaller channels were disproportionately subjected to dislike attacks compared to their more established counterparts. However, when asked by TechCrunch, YouTube declined to disclose specific details or data collected during these tests, stating that they spanned “multiple months” and involved “in-depth analysis” of the impact on both users and creators.

Design Considerations

YouTube explored various designs for concealing dislike counts, including displaying the word “Dislike” instead of the numerical count. The currently implemented design, which minimizes disruption to the video engagement button row, was ultimately selected.

youtube is removing the dislike count on all videos across its platform

Following Industry Trends

YouTube is not the first major platform to consider reducing the public visibility of user sentiment indicators. Instagram previously tested hiding Like counts, believing that the pursuit of Likes could be detrimental to its community and hinder authentic expression. Ultimately, Instagram and Facebook granted users control over Like visibility, maintaining the existing status quo.

Broader Context of Tech and Mental Health

These changes occur amidst growing public scrutiny of big tech’s impact on mental health, particularly concerning minors. Companies are re-evaluating their system designs to address targeting and influence, and proactively implementing changes in anticipation of forthcoming regulations. Legislators are increasingly holding tech executives accountable and drafting legislation to address problematic aspects of technology.

Proactive Measures and Creator Support

YouTube has already implemented increased protections and privacy features for users aged 13 to 17, and has reduced monetization opportunities for content deemed “unhealthy” for children. The company emphasizes that this latest change is driven by a commitment to supporting creators, particularly those who are more vulnerable to harassment.

Competition for Creators

This rollout also coincides with heightened competition among tech giants for creator talent. Platforms are investing in funds and features to retain top creators, especially in the face of competition from TikTok. YouTube recently announced a $100 million creator fund to bolster its short-form video platform and has introduced several new policies aimed at enhancing the creator experience.