How to See YouTube Dislikes: A Comprehensive Guide (2024 Update)

In late 2021, YouTube made a significant change to its platform: they removed the public display of dislike counts on videos. While the dislike button itself remains, the numeric count is now only visible to creators in their YouTube Studio analytics. This decision, aimed at reducing harassment and “dislike mobs,” left many viewers frustrated and searching for ways to see the dislike numbers once more. If you’re one of those users, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods currently available to see YouTube dislikes, including extensions, websites, and alternative platforms.

Why Did YouTube Remove Dislikes?

Before we dive into the methods for restoring dislike visibility, let’s quickly revisit YouTube’s rationale. The platform argued that the dislike count was often used maliciously to target specific creators or videos, fostering a negative environment. They stated that hiding the dislike numbers would encourage more constructive engagement and reduce the impact of “dislike attacks,” particularly on smaller channels and new creators. However, the move sparked considerable debate, with many viewers claiming that the dislike count was a crucial tool for evaluating content quality, identifying clickbait, and avoiding misinformation.

Methods to See YouTube Dislikes (Updated for 2024)

While YouTube doesn’t offer an official way to see dislikes, the community has developed various workarounds. These methods primarily rely on browser extensions and third-party websites, which often use data gathered before the dislike counts were hidden or employ sophisticated prediction algorithms. It’s important to remember that these methods are not perfect, and the numbers displayed might not always be 100% accurate. However, they often provide a reasonably good approximation of the actual dislike count.

1. Using Browser Extensions

Browser extensions are arguably the most convenient method for restoring dislike visibility. These extensions typically integrate directly into the YouTube interface, displaying the dislike counts alongside the like counts. Here are some of the most popular and reliable options:

a) Return YouTube Dislike

This is perhaps the most widely known and highly recommended extension for restoring dislikes. It’s available for most major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Edge. Return YouTube Dislike works by using a combination of archived data and user contributions to estimate the dislike count. The accuracy tends to be very good, especially for videos that existed before the dislike count was hidden. Here’s how to use it:

1. Installation:
   • Go to the official website of Return YouTube Dislike or find the extension in your browser’s extension store.
   • Click on “Add to Chrome,” “Add to Firefox,” or the equivalent button for your chosen browser.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
2. Usage:
   • Once installed, simply navigate to any YouTube video.
   • You should now see the dislike count displayed below the video player, next to the like count.
   • No further configuration is usually needed; the extension should work seamlessly in the background.

Pros:

• High accuracy due to a large dataset and user input.
• Available on multiple browsers.
• Easy to install and use.
• Open source and actively maintained by the community.
• Offers additional features like displaying the ratio of likes to dislikes.

Cons:

• May not be 100% accurate, especially for very new or obscure videos.
• Relies on the availability of historical data.
• Requires a browser extension, which some users may prefer to avoid.

b) Other Similar Browser Extensions

While Return YouTube Dislike is the most popular option, several other similar extensions offer comparable functionality. These might be worth exploring if you encounter issues with Return YouTube Dislike or if you simply want to try alternatives:

• YouTube Dislike Counter: This is another popular option, offering comparable functionality to Return YouTube Dislike.
• Revanced (Android): This is not a browser extension but a modified YouTube client for Android devices which also restores the dislike count along with numerous other useful features (ad-blocking, background playback, etc.).

General Steps to Install and Use Other Extensions:

1. Search for the extension in your browser’s extension store (e.g., Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons).
2. Click “Add to Chrome/Firefox/etc.” and follow the installation instructions.
3. Once installed, the dislike count should appear automatically on YouTube videos.

Note: Be cautious when choosing extensions. Only install them from trusted sources like your browser’s official extension store, and check user reviews before installing to minimize the risk of malware or malicious code.

2. Using Third-Party Websites

In addition to browser extensions, some third-party websites also claim to provide YouTube dislike counts. These websites typically rely on APIs or scraping data. However, their accuracy can vary significantly, and they might be less reliable than browser extensions. Here’s how to use these websites and why they should be approached with caution:

1. Finding Websites:
   • Search online for phrases like “YouTube dislike counter website” or “view YouTube dislikes.”
   • Several websites will appear in the search results.
2. Using Websites:
   • Select a website from your search results.
   • Usually, you’ll need to paste the URL of the YouTube video into the website’s designated input field.
   • Click a button to process the URL, and the website will attempt to display the dislike count.

Pros:

• Doesn’t require installing a browser extension.
• Can be used on any device with a web browser.

Cons:

• Accuracy can vary greatly and is often less reliable than browser extensions.
• Many of these websites can be unreliable, slow, or contain ads or malware.
• May require you to copy and paste video URLs, which is less convenient than browser extensions.
• Some may try to trick you into clicking suspicious links or downloading malware.

Important Caution: Be extremely cautious when using third-party websites to view YouTube dislikes. Stick to well-known and reputable sites with good reviews. Avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading files from these websites. Always scan files downloaded from untrusted sources with antivirus software. It’s generally recommended to use browser extensions over third-party websites for better reliability and security.

3. Alternatives and Workarounds

While extensions and third-party sites are the most common methods for viewing dislikes, there are a few other alternative approaches, albeit less reliable or accurate:

a) User Comments and Feedback

While you can’t see a specific dislike count, carefully reading the comments section can provide valuable insights into the general audience reaction to a video. If a video is widely disliked, you will usually find numerous negative comments expressing concerns or criticisms. This can be a good indicator of quality or validity, especially for new videos. Look for patterns and consistent complaints.

b) Trustworthy Creators and Review Channels

If you’re following trusted creators or review channels, they may directly express their opinion on a video’s quality and value. They often have their own internal way of measuring audience reactions and will share their assessment through other means besides dislike numbers.

c) Exploring Alternative Platforms

If the lack of dislike visibility is a major issue for you, consider exploring alternative video platforms. Some platforms have incorporated community feedback systems or dislike/downvote features that are not hidden. While YouTube remains the dominant video platform, other competitors may offer a better experience for viewers who value transparency in content ratings.

4. Understanding the Limitations

Regardless of the method you choose, it’s crucial to understand the limitations of attempting to see dislikes on YouTube post the official change.

• Accuracy: Dislike counts displayed through extensions or websites are often estimates based on a combination of archived data and user data, thus, they are not always perfectly accurate, particularly for new videos.
• Data Availability: The older the video, the more accurate the data will be. Data might be lacking for recently uploaded videos.
• Extension Maintenance: Browser extensions rely on the willingness of developers to maintain them and adapt them to changes on YouTube. They may become less accurate or stop working as the YouTube platform evolves.
• Security Risks: Some methods, especially third-party websites, may pose security risks, so be extremely cautious when using them.

Conclusion

While YouTube’s removal of the public dislike count has been a point of contention for many viewers, there are still ways to get an approximation of this data. Browser extensions like Return YouTube Dislike provide a reliable and convenient method to restore the dislike counts. Third-party websites are another option, though they are generally less reliable and should be used with caution. Always remember to be wary of potential security threats and use trusted sources when installing extensions or visiting external websites. Additionally, alternative strategies such as paying attention to comments and relying on trusted reviewers can help you gauge the audience’s reaction to content. Despite YouTube’s changes, the community has found creative solutions to keep information accessible. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, keeping up-to-date with the tools and techniques available to you is crucial to making the most of your viewing experience on YouTube and beyond.