YouTube removed the public dislike count on videos in November 2021.
Their stated reasons were to decrease harassment and protect the creator’s well-being.
However, many users protested this change, as they valued disliked data to evaluate content quality and safety.
Though YouTube has hidden dislikes, browser extensions from third-party sites can restore them.
This allows viewers to maintain better awareness despite YouTube’s design shift. Read on to learn the top methods for seeing disliked numbers again.
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Use a Browser Extension
The easiest way to reinstate the YouTube dislike count is by installing a browser extension.
The top option is Return YouTube Dislike.
This extension:
- It works with multiple browsers: Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Brave
- Provides estimated dislike totals based on cached data and user input
- Let users continue disliking videos to help improve accuracy
- Is an open-source codebase available on GitHub?
- Does not collect any private user data
While estimates may be imperfect, especially for newer videos, the extension serves as a useful approximation. Still, no current extension can provide exact totals.
Overall, browser extensions like Return YouTube Dislike deliver the best combination of accessibility, transparency, and accuracy for accessing disliked information.
Use a Third-Party Website
Discovering public sentiments on YouTube is facilitated by third-party tools like YouTube Dislikes.
Learn how to utilize these platforms for comprehensive insights.
- Utilize Third-Party Websites: Employ platforms like YouTube Dislikes2 for comprehensive dislike data.
- Enter the video URL for details: Input video URLs to access likes, dislikes, and the like-to-dislike ratio.
- Discover the Most Disliked Videos: Explore the all-time most disliked videos and categorize dislikes.
- Gain Insights into Public Opinions: Uncover public sentiments, gaining insights into controversial videos.
Considerations When Using YouTube Dislikes:
- Reliance on External Sources: External sources contribute to data reliability.
- Potential for Data Manipulation: Be aware of potential manipulations in the provided data.
- Lack of Real-Time Updates: Keep in mind the absence of real-time update features.
- Presence of Ads and Pop-Ups: Note the existence of ads and pop-ups, which may inconvenience some users.
Conclusion
YouTube’s choice to conceal public dislike counts elicits varied reactions.
Advocates see it as shielding creators from harassment, while critics perceive it as suppressing feedback.
Despite opinions, methods like browser extensions or third-party sites offer ways to view dislike counts, albeit imperfectly.
Remember, dislike counts aren’t the sole measure of video quality; rely on personal judgment and critical thinking when assessing online content.