Re-Enable Youtube Dislikes

Jordan Emanuel

2 min read

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29-12-2024

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The removal of the public dislike count on YouTube sparked significant controversy. While YouTube cited a desire to combat dislike attacks targeting smaller creators, many argue the change stifled genuine user feedback and diminished the platform's overall transparency. This article explores the arguments for reinstating the public dislike count on YouTube.

The Case for Dislikes: More Than Just a "Dislike" Button

The dislike button, far from being a simple expression of negativity, served several crucial functions. It acted as:

• A signal of low-quality content: A high dislike-to-like ratio provided viewers with immediate feedback, potentially saving them time and preventing them from watching videos that didn't meet their expectations.
• A mechanism for identifying misinformation: Dislike counts could help users identify videos that contained false or misleading information. A significant number of dislikes might prompt viewers to seek out more reliable sources.
• A form of content moderation: A high dislike count could alert YouTube to videos that violated community guidelines or contained harmful content. While not a perfect system, it was a valuable signal.
• An indicator of audience sentiment: Creators could use dislike counts to gauge audience reception to their videos and improve future content.

YouTube's Justification: Protecting Smaller Creators

YouTube's official explanation for removing the public dislike count focused on protecting smaller creators from targeted harassment and dislike bombing. While this is a valid concern, the solution implemented — completely removing the dislike count — appears overly broad and arguably ineffective. More nuanced solutions exist that could address the issue of coordinated dislike attacks without sacrificing the benefits of public dislike counts.

Potential Alternatives: A More Balanced Approach

Instead of completely removing the dislike count, YouTube could explore alternative solutions, such as:

• Implementing advanced algorithms: Detecting and mitigating coordinated dislike attacks through AI-powered systems could effectively address the core problem without affecting legitimate feedback.
• Providing creators with access to dislike data: Allowing creators access to their dislike counts, while keeping the counts hidden from public view, could provide them with valuable feedback without exposing them to public harassment.
• Introducing a weighted system: A system that weighs dislikes based on factors like viewer history or engagement could reduce the impact of botted dislikes while still reflecting genuine audience sentiment.

The Bigger Picture: Transparency and User Agency

The removal of public dislike counts undermines YouTube's commitment to transparency and user agency. Viewers are no longer able to effectively evaluate content quality or express their dissatisfaction in a meaningful way. Reinstating the dislike count, or implementing a more sophisticated alternative, is crucial for restoring trust and ensuring a more balanced and informed user experience on YouTube. The platform should prioritize a solution that addresses the concerns of creators while upholding the rights and needs of its vast user base.