How to See Dislikes on YouTube

Introduction

In November 2021, YouTube made a significant change by removing public dislike counts from videos. While the dislike button remains, the total number of dislikes is no longer visible to viewers. This decision was made to combat harassment and reduce the potential negative impact on creators.

However, dislikes are still an essential engagement metric, and there are ways for creators to access this data. In this blog, we’ll explore how to see dislikes on YouTube, the tools available, and why this metric matters.

Why Did YouTube Remove Public Dislike Counts?

YouTube stated that the removal of public dislike counts aimed to:

• Protect creators from targeted harassment campaigns.

• Reduce the psychological impact of public negativity on creators.

• Encourage constructive feedback rather than toxic behavior.

While some users appreciated this change, others felt it hindered transparency and made it harder to gauge the quality of videos.

How Creators Can See Dislikes on Their Videos

If you’re a YouTube creator, you can still view the number of dislikes on your videos through YouTube Studio.

Steps to See Dislikes in YouTube Studio

1. Log In to YouTube Studio

   • Go to studio.youtube.com and sign in with your Google account.

2. Access Your Video Analytics

   • From the Dashboard, click on Content in the left-hand menu.

   • Select the video you want to analyze.

3. Open Analytics

   • Click on the Analytics tab for the selected video.

4. View Engagement Metrics

   • Navigate to the Engagement section.

   • You’ll see metrics for likes and dislikes, as well as overall engagement trends.

Understanding the Data

Dislikes provide creators with valuable feedback about their content. If a video has a high dislike ratio, it may indicate:

• Content quality issues.

• Mismatch between the video and viewer expectations.

• Controversial or sensitive topics.

Can Viewers Still See Dislikes?

For viewers, the dislike count is hidden by default. However, there are third-party tools and extensions that attempt to estimate or display dislike counts using archived data and community feedback.

Popular Tools to See Dislikes

1. Return YouTube Dislike Extension

   • A browser extension that restores estimated dislike counts based on previously available data and user feedback.

   • Available for Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers.

2. YouTube API Metrics

   • Some developers use YouTube’s public API to access and analyze engagement data, though this requires technical expertise.

Note: These tools may not always be accurate, and their functionality depends on YouTube’s API policies.

Why Dislikes Matter for Creators

While dislikes may seem negative, they play a crucial role in shaping a creator’s content strategy:

• Constructive Feedback: Dislikes, paired with comments, help identify areas for improvement.

• Engagement Indicator: Both likes and dislikes signal viewer interaction, which YouTube’s algorithm considers for ranking.

• Content Adjustment: Creators can refine their approach based on audience preferences.

FAQs About Dislikes on YouTube

Q: Why can’t I see dislikes on YouTube anymore?
A: YouTube removed public dislike counts in November 2021 to reduce harassment and foster a more inclusive platform.

Q: Can creators still see dislikes on their videos?
A: Yes, creators can view dislikes through YouTube Studio analytics.

Q: Are there tools to see dislikes on YouTube videos?
A: Yes, third-party tools like the Return YouTube Dislike extension estimate dislike counts, but their accuracy may vary.

Q: Do dislikes affect YouTube’s algorithm?
A: Yes, dislikes are part of overall engagement, which YouTube considers when determining video recommendations and rankings.

Q: Can viewers give feedback without disliking a video?
A: Yes, viewers can leave comments or participate in polls to provide constructive feedback.

Conclusion

While YouTube no longer displays public dislike counts, creators still have access to this important metric through YouTube Studio. Dislikes, along with other engagement data, help creators understand their audience and improve their content.