Tech · The Verge
YouTube Tests Moving Dislike Button to Submenu
YouTube is reportedly testing a change that would move the dislike button from its current position next to the like button into the three‑dots submenu. The shift was first noticed by users on X and Reddit who shared screenshots showing the button either hidden or relocated. If the redesign is rolled out widely, it would make the dislike feature less visible and potentially reduce how often it is used. Google has not yet commented on the test, and it is unclear how many accounts or regions are affected. The move follows earlier changes, such as the 2021 decision to hide public dislike counts to protect creators and the removal of the button from Shorts. Creators can still see dislike counts on their own videos, but the public‑facing button would be harder to access. The company’s next steps remain uncertain, but the change could signal a broader effort to curb harassment and improve user experience. The test reflects YouTube’s ongoing experimentation with interface tweaks aimed at balancing community feedback and platform moderation.
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