YouTube appears to be testing a change that would hide the dislike button on videos, moving it out of direct view for some users in the United States and elsewhere.
The apparent test was reported by 9to5Google. At least two users on X have recently posted screenshots showing the dislike button relocated into the three-dots submenu beneath a video, and a user on Reddit shared an image in which the dislike button was absent entirely. In the standard layout, the dislike button sits next to the like button under a video, so shifting it into a submenu would add steps for anyone who wants to use it.
It is not clear how widely the test may be rolled out. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter.
YouTube has changed the dislike button before. In 2021, the platform hid the public dislike count on videos, saying the move was meant to protect creators from harassment, though creators can still see dislike counts. Earlier this year, YouTube removed the dislike button from YouTube Shorts and pointed users toward options in the three-dots menu instead.
The latest reported test follows that pattern of reducing the visibility of negative feedback tools. For viewers, the change would mean the dislike option is no longer a single click away in the spot where it has traditionally appeared.
The company has not confirmed whether the placement is a limited experiment or something it intends to expand. No timeline has been given for any decision.
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