How to See Dislikes on YouTube (3 Working Methods in 2026)
TL;DR - Quick Answer
12 min readComprehensive guide with practical insights you can apply today.
YouTube hid the public dislike count in November 2021. The button still works, but only creators can see the number.
Here's how to bring it back.
Quick Answer: 3 Methods
- Return YouTube Dislike extension, shows dislike counts on every video (best method)
- YouTube Studio, see dislikes on your own videos only
- Third-party tools, estimated dislikes via engagement data
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Start your free trialMethod 1: Return YouTube Dislike Extension (Best Method)
The Return YouTube Dislike browser extension is the most popular way to see dislikes. It combines archived data with real-time estimates from its millions of users.
The project is open-source on GitHub, so you can verify exactly what it does.
Install in 3 Steps:
- Search "Return YouTube Dislike" in your browser's extension store (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari)
- Click Add to browser
- Open any YouTube video, the dislike count appears next to the dislike button
That's it. No setup, no account needed.
How It Gets the Data:
How Accurate Is It?
The more people use the extension, the better the estimates get.
When did YouTube remove the public dislike count?
Method 2: YouTube Studio (Your Own Videos Only)
Creators can see exact dislike counts for their own videos. This is the same analytics dashboard you'd use to track audience retention and other engagement metrics.
Steps:
- Go to studio.youtube.com
- Click Content in the left sidebar
- Click the video you want to check
- Click Analytics → Engagement
- Find the Likes vs. Dislikes breakdown
You'll see exact counts, ratios over time, and any spikes that might indicate a dislike campaign.
This only works for channels you own or manage.
Method 3: Third-Party Analytics Tools
These tools estimate dislikes based on engagement data:
They show engagement ratios rather than exact dislike numbers. Useful for research, but less accurate than the Return YouTube Dislike extension.
You can also use our engagement calculator to analyze overall video performance metrics.
Which method gives the most accurate dislike count for videos uploaded after 2021?
Does the Dislike Button Still Do Anything?
Yes. The count is hidden, but clicking dislike still has real effects:
The button is still worth using. It just doesn't show the count publicly.
If you're a creator trying to improve engagement, knowing your dislike ratio helps you create more engaging content and optimize your YouTube SEO.
Why Did YouTube Remove the Dislike Count?
YouTube announced the change in a November 2021 blog post. Their stated reasons:
- Dislike attacks, organized campaigns were targeting smaller creators
- Creator well-being, reducing harassment and pile-on behavior
- Smaller creators hit hardest, new channels took the most damage
The change was controversial. Viewers lost a key way to judge video quality, especially for tutorials and product reviews where a high dislike ratio is a strong signal that the content doesn't deliver on its title.
Creators cannot opt back in. This is a platform-wide policy with no override.
Before vs. After: What Changed
Can YouTube creators choose to show dislikes on their own videos?
FAQ
Can you still see dislikes on YouTube in 2026?
Not natively. Use the Return YouTube Dislike browser extension to see estimated counts on any video.
Is the Return YouTube Dislike extension safe?
Yes. It's open-source, widely used, and available on all major extension stores. It doesn't collect personal data beyond anonymous voting.
Do dislikes still affect the YouTube algorithm?
Yes. YouTube confirmed dislikes are still used as a recommendation signal. Videos with many dislikes get recommended less.
Can I see dislikes on mobile?
The extension works on desktop only. On Android, apps like ReVanced include dislike count patches.
How many dislikes did YouTube Rewind 2018 have?
Approximately 20 million before the count was hidden, making it one of the most disliked videos ever. The video has since been removed by YouTube.
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