You May Soon Find It Difficult to Dislike a Video on YouTube, Here Is Why

If you're a YouTube creator, this may be good news for you. But if you're someone who spends hours watching videos on the platform, you might not be so happy about what's coming next.

YouTube may be making it harder for users to dislike videos, with reports suggesting that the platform is testing a new interface that hides the dislike button inside a menu. The change appears to affect regular YouTube videos on desktop, although it is not available to everyone. Here is what we know so far.

YouTube Is Testing a Hidden Dislike Button

According to several X and Reddit posts, users are noticing that the dislike button has disappeared from the row of actions which is just below YouTube videos. Instead of appearing right next to the like button, the dislike button is now tucked away inside the three-dot menu, alongside options such as Report.

However, reports also say that the change is limited to a small number of users, and the new interface could not be replicated by everyone.

YouTube has not officially confirmed the test or announced plans to remove the dislike button from regular videos. For now, it appears to be an experiment rather than a permanent change for all users.

This is not the first time YouTube has made it harder to dislike a video. The platform introduced a similar change to Shorts earlier in 2026, moving the dislike option out of the main interface and into a menu. Users watching Shorts can instead select options such as Not Interested or Don't recommend this channel to influence their recommendations.

Why YouTube Users May Not Be Happy With the Change

The dislike button remains a useful way for viewers to express dissatisfaction with a video, even without a publicly visible count. Moving it behind another menu adds an extra step and makes the option less convenient to access.

Some users have also pointed out that dislikes can help people judge the usefulness of tutorials before spending time watching them. A video with misleading instructions or incorrect information may still attract likes, while negative feedback can offer another signal to consider.

The button can also help creators understand how viewers respond to their content. Even though creators can still access feedback through YouTube Studio, the removal of public dislike counts already made it harder for viewers to assess a video's reception at a glance.

Will YouTube Hide the Dislike Button for Everyone?

It is too early to say whether YouTube plans to roll out the change to all users. Reports indicate that some people can still see the dislike button in its usual position, suggesting that the platform is testing different interface versions with a limited audience.

YouTube regularly experiments with its interface, and not every test becomes a permanent feature. So until the company confirms its plans, it is best to take this information with a pinch of salt.