YouTube’s decision to hide the dislike count on videos has caused confusion for many users. If you’ve noticed that the dislike count is no longer visible, you’re probably wondering why this happened and if there’s any way to bring it back.

In this article, we’ll go through the reasons behind YouTube’s decision and provide practical fixes to restore or view dislikes again.

Why YouTube Removed the Dislike Count

In November 2021, YouTube decided to remove the dislike count on all videos. Here’s why:

• Harassment Prevention: YouTube wanted to reduce targeted dislike campaigns aimed at creators.
• Constructive Feedback: YouTube aimed to encourage more positive, thoughtful engagement.
• Support for Creators: Creators felt demotivated by the public dislike count, which could affect their mental well-being.
• Improved User Experience: YouTube wanted users to focus on content, not the dislike count.
• Better Community Environment: The dislike count sometimes led to a toxic environment, which YouTube aimed to improve.

How to Fix the Dislike Count Issue

Although YouTube hides the dislike count, there are several ways you can still access it. Here’s how to restore or view the dislike count.

1. Use a Browser Extension

One of the easiest ways to view the dislike count again is by using a browser extension like Return YouTube Dislike. This extension is simple to install and works on most major browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

To use Return YouTube Dislike:

• Go to the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons page and search for Return YouTube Dislike.
• Click on the “Add to Chrome” or “Add to Firefox” button and follow the installation instructions.
• Once installed, visit YouTube, and the dislike count will appear on videos, even though YouTube hides it.

This extension is free to use and restores the dislike count across the platform, so you’ll be able to see the number of dislikes alongside likes.

2. View Dislikes on Your Own Videos Using YouTube Studio

If you’re a content creator, you can still access dislike counts for your own videos through YouTube Studio. Although YouTube hides the dislike count from the public, this data is still available in your private analytics.

To view dislikes for your videos:

1. Log into YouTube Studio.
2. In the left-hand menu, click on Videos.
3. Choose the video you want to check.
4. Under the Analytics tab, find the Engagement section. The dislike count is displayed alongside the likes and other engagement metrics.

This method allows creators to view dislikes for their videos without needing to rely on public visibility. It’s an important tool for understanding viewer feedback.

3. Use YouTube’s Data API to Access Dislike Data

For more advanced users, the YouTube Data API can be used to retrieve dislike counts for specific videos. This is especially useful for developers or anyone comfortable with programming.

To retrieve dislike counts using the YouTube API:

1. Create a project and get your API key from the YouTube Data API page.
2. Use the videos.list method to request data for the video. You’ll need the video ID to proceed.
3. Include the statistics part of the request to get engagement metrics like likes and dislikes.
4. Parse the response to extract the dislike count.

This method allows you to gather dislike data programmatically for multiple videos and is a good solution for users who want detailed control over video metrics.

4. Track YouTube Dislikes with Third-Party Tools

If you prefer not to use browser extensions, there are third-party tools that can help you track the dislike counts of YouTube videos. Some popular tools include:

• Social Blade: Social Blade is a website that provides detailed analytics for YouTube videos and channels, including data on likes, dislikes, and other engagement metrics.
• VidIQ: VidIQ is another tool that offers analytics for YouTube creators. It provides insights into video performance, including dislike counts, helping creators track engagement.

These tools offer in-depth analytics and can be used to track the performance of videos across multiple platforms. While they don’t restore the dislike count on YouTube itself, they give you a broader understanding of video engagement.

5. Manually Monitor Engagement Metrics Without Dislike Counts

For content creators who no longer have access to the dislike count, you can still monitor viewer sentiment by looking at other engagement metrics:

• Like-to-Dislike Ratio: While dislikes are hidden, likes remain visible. You can track the like-to-dislike ratio to get a sense of how well your video is performing. A high number of dislikes compared to likes generally indicates negative feedback.
• Comments: Read through the comments section to see if viewers are sharing their concerns or criticisms. Comments often provide more detailed feedback than the dislike count ever could.
• Viewer Retention: Check the viewer retention data in YouTube Studio. A drop in retention might indicate that your video isn’t engaging viewers, which can help you adjust future content.

These alternative metrics can still give you valuable insights into how your content is being received, even if dislikes are no longer visible.

Conclusion

YouTube’s decision to hide the dislike count was made to foster a more positive environment, but it has left many users searching for ways to access this feedback. Fortunately, there are a variety of solutions available, including browser extensions, YouTube Studio, and third-party tools, that can help you track dislikes and maintain insight into your audience’s reactions.

If you’ve tried any of these fixes or have other tips for handling the dislike removal, feel free to share them in the comments below!