YouTube says it isn’t testing hiding the dislike button

by | Oct 22, 2026 | Technology

YouTube says it isn’t testing hiding the dislike button

YouTube issued a clarification on Wednesday regarding reports that the platform was testing the removal of the dislike button from its interface. A spokesperson denied that YouTube was conducting such experiments with its user base, stating the company is “not testing hiding the dislike button on YouTube for users.”

Instead, YouTube confirmed it is implementing a modified user interface specifically for content creators managing their own uploaded videos. Under this new design, the dislike button will be repositioned behind the three-dot menu rather than displayed prominently on the video player. Creators will retain access to complete dislike count data through YouTube Studio, where they can review this metric alongside other performance analytics.

The updated interface is scheduled to roll out to creators over the coming weeks, according to YouTube’s statement. This announcement follows initial reports published earlier in the week suggesting YouTube was testing dislike button concealment, with multiple users sharing screenshots depicting the button’s relocation to the three-dot menu.

The modification represents the latest adjustment to YouTube’s approach to dislike functionality. The platform previously removed public dislike counts from all videos beginning in 2021, a decision the company framed as a measure to reduce harassment and negative behavior on the platform. Additionally, YouTube removed the dislike button from Shorts, its short-form video feature, earlier in the year.

The distinction between general users and creators is significant, as the change only affects the creator experience when managing their own content rather than altering how viewers interact with videos across the platform.

Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source

Article summary produced by Claude AI