YouTube appears to be testing a hidden dislike button
YouTube seems to be testing moving its dislike button into a submenu, based on screenshots shared by several users. Google has not yet responded to a request for comment.
YouTube, the video platform owned by Google, appears to be running a test that hides the dislike button beneath videos. The test was first reported by the technology site 9to5Google and later covered by The Verge.
What users are seeing
At least two users on the social network X recently posted screenshots showing the dislike button placed in the three-dots submenu instead of next to the like button. A Reddit user also shared an image in which the button was missing entirely.
The Verge reporter Jay Peters notes that on his own account the button still sits beside the like button under videos. Moving it into a submenu would make it considerably more effort to reach, so fewer people would likely use it.
How widely it is being tested
It is not yet clear how broadly this apparent test is being rolled out. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier changes
YouTube has changed how the dislike button works before. In 2021, the platform hid the public dislike count on videos, saying the move would help "protect creators from harassment". Creators can still see the figure. Earlier this year, YouTube also removed the dislike button from YouTube Shorts, its short-video format, and suggested users turn to options in the three-dots menu instead.
