Disliked but Not Defeated!
Rethinking feedback on YouTube
The dislike button is a small symbol that can stir up big emotions for content creators.
Recently, a viewer left a comment on one of my videos saying they loved my channel but gave a thumbs down to that particular video. Why? Helpfully, they also left a comment, and it turns out it wasn't because of the editing, lighting, or even my presentation but simply because they didn’t like the tech product I was reviewing. That got me thinking—what is the dislike button actually for? Is it a judgment of quality, a reaction to the subject matter, or just a general venting tool?
The more I think about it, the more I dislike the dislike button!
YouTube introduced the dislike button to help viewers express dissatisfaction with a video and a quick way of giving others an indication as to whether the video is worth watching. But over time, it’s become clear that the dislike button often means different things to different people. Some tap thumbs down because they disagree with the topic. Others might do so because of technical issues, like poor audio or video quality. Then there’s the group that clicks it out of habit or as an emotional reaction—a little surge of internet-fueled rebellion. The problem is that creators like myself rarely know which reasons apply. This ambiguity makes the dislike button more frustrating than helpful. We thrive on feedback—it’s how we grow and adapt. A comment can tell us directly what we’re doing right, and constructive criticism can highlight areas for improvement.
But a dislike?
It’s just a silent rebuke that offers no context, suggestions, or way to interpret what went wrong. Was it the thumbnail? The pacing? Or, like in my case, just the topic itself?
For smaller creators especially, dislikes can feel like a dagger to the heart. Unlike massive channels that amass thousands of interactions regardless of quality, every click matters when building an audience. Seeing the dislike percentage grow in the YouTube Studio analytics (no matter how small an amount) with no explanation possible can be deflating. It plants seeds of doubt: “Where did I miss the mark? Should I change my style? Or is this just the price of experimenting with new ideas?”
Here's a strange thing about dislikes you may not be aware of: dislikes still count as engagement in YouTube’s algorithm. Yes, you read that right! A dislike doesn’t hurt the video’s reach the way you might presume it will. It’s treated the same as a like when it comes to overall interaction metrics. Theoretically, this is a good thing for creators, as it means even negative attention can help your content spread. But it also kind of undermines the purpose of the button itself. If disliking a video doesn’t actually “punish” the video in the algorithm, then what’s the point? It’s like pressing a button in a lift already on its way down—it doesn’t change the outcome.
In 2021, YouTube decided to hide the public dislike count. Only the creator can now see how many people disliked a video, while viewers are left to guess (browser 'plug-ins' can show the metric to those who install them, but they may not be overly accurate). The change was meant to protect creators from coordinated dislike attack campaigns and harassment, which is undeniably a good move. But it also removed a quick way for viewers to gauge a video’s general reception. Ironically, it left the dislike button even more misunderstood than before. As frustrating as it can be, the dislike button isn't going anywhere for the foreseeable future.
So, what’s the solution?
For me, it’s about shifting focus to other forms of feedback. Comments are gold—whether they’re praising your work or offering a thoughtful critique. Polls and Q&A features let you engage your audience directly, asking them what they’d like to see more of or what didn’t resonate. Even analytics, with their cold, numerical precision, can give clues about where viewers drop off or which topics drive the most interest.
Ultimately, on this creator journey, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is not to take dislikes too personally. They’re part of the package when you’re creating for the internet, and their meaning will always be open to interpretation. Instead of obsessing over those thumbs-down clicks, I try to focus on the broader picture: Are people watching? Are they commenting? Are they subscribing? Those are the metrics that tell the real story of a channel’s growth.
On saying all that, I ask that the next time you feel tempted to tap that dislike button, pause for a moment. Ask yourself why. What are you trying to tell the creator when the button gives no context? Would a constructive comment better serve you both? After all, the creator wants to become better at creating, and you want to find more satisfying content to consume. Or if the content isn't scratching your itch, move on until you find a video that will; it will be like you were never there!
And if you’re a creator like me, staring at those thumbs-down stats in YouTube Studio, remember this: a single button doesn't define your worth. Keep experimenting, keep creating, and let the good, bad, or indifferent feedback guide you to your next great idea.
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