YouTube Will Soon Test a Plan to Hide Video Dislike Counts from Viewers

Publish date: 2024-05-31

YouTube is taking a look into hiding the dislike count from users at the platform, but is the company bearing in mind getting rid of the 'dislike' button totally?

Source: Getty Images

Things are converting on YouTube. The company announced on March 31 that it would be testing a trade to its platform that will remove the dislike depend from videos. The company described the alternate as a "small experiment" that will characteristic a few other adjustments in design. Given the announcement, some questioned whether YouTube used to be going to do away with the "dislike" button altogether. 

Is YouTube taking out the 'dislike' button?

Although the experiment will contain casting off dislike counts from public view, YouTube has mentioned that none of its adjustments in design will involve eliminating the "dislike" button from the platform. Instead, when a consumer dislikes a video, that rely will be hidden from public view, and will presumably just lend a hand YouTube's set of rules higher perceive user preferences. 

Source: Getty Images

Creators will also proceed to have get right of entry to to dislike counts, which presumably will help to drive the choices they make about their own content material. The thought is not to do away with dislikes altogether. Instead, YouTube explained in a community put up that the goal of hiding the dislike counts from the public is to reinforce the well-being of the platform's creators. 

“We’ve heard from creators that the public dislike counts can affect their well-being and might motivate a centered marketing campaign of dislikes on a author’s video,” the announcement explains. “So, we’re trying out designs that don’t come with the visible like or dislike count in an effort to balance improving the creator revel in, while still ensuring viewer feedback is accounted for and shared with the author.” 

Dislike counts can assist pressure users away from spam.

Although the dislike count can be a destructive for content material creators, it can be helpful in helping viewers decide which videos are value their time. Videos with prime dislike counts incessantly contain junk mail or don't seem to be correctly classified. It seems YouTube is also weighing whether or not the added value that the dislike depend provides for customers is well worth the pain that it's already caused for creators.

Creators, you'll be able to nonetheless be able to see the precise choice of likes and dislikes in YouTube Studio. For viewers, if you're in the experiment, you'll be able to nonetheless like or dislike a video to percentage feedback with creators and assist song the suggestions you spot on YouTube.

— YouTube (@YouTube) March 30, 2021 Source: Twitter

In saying the change, YouTube posted an example of one design that they would be testing as a part of this experiment. In the picture they shared, the "dislike" button continues to be to be had, but as an alternative of a number underneath it, it merely says the phrase "Dislike." 

Users would possibly not have any regulate over whether they are part of this test.

YouTube also said that customers won't have somebody control over whether or not they are in a position to see the dislike depend all the way through this period. If they can not, they'll be requested to provide feedback on how they really feel about that vary. 

At this time, YouTube is not committed to getting rid of the dislike rely permanently. Instead, the feedback from this experiment will assist them to decide whether that's a suitable next step. 

The feedback will additionally help the platform to make a decision the easiest way to trade the design, and what timeframe the change must be rolled out over. It may appear to be a tiny design exchange, but on a platform with as many users as YouTube, each and every little alternate has a huge ripple effect. 

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXSramam6Ses7p6wqikaKhfrry2wNSbnGaqlaK8t7XNoGStoJVisaq%2Fy6KinmWSqsG1u80%3D