YouTube is taking steps to end mass-disliking by hiding the number of dislikes on videos.
The platform unveiled the new update on Wednesday, which will allow only the content creator to see how many people disliked their videos. YouTube initially tested out removing the dislike numbers in July and found that its absence had no effect on viewership. Now, users can see the button and use it without knowing if anyone else did. The like button will remain intact, with the number shown. Creators can access the number of dislikes in their YouTube Studio.
The move is meant to protect creators against “dislike attacks,” which occur when hate-mobs band together to dislike a video because they don’t like the person who posted it. This often happens when creators voice unpopular opinions or are deemed “canceled” on social media. These attacks are usually accompanied by hateful comments, telling the creator that they’ve disliked the video.
To reduce targeted dislike attacks & their impact on creators (esp on smaller creators), you’ll no longer see a public dislike *count* on YouTube starting today (the dislike button is staying).
This comes after lots of research, testing & consideration → https://t.co/mJWDJSSRoG
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) November 10, 2021
“We are proactively making this change because YouTube has a responsibility to protect creators, especially smaller creators, from harassment and dislike attacks,” said a YouTube spokesperson.
The hidden dislikes will roll out gradually, so if you are still seeing the number, rest assured that it will be gone soon.
