YouTube Tests Removing Dislike Button on Shorts
YouTube is currently testing a new “Save” button for its Shorts feature, aiming to make it simpler for users to revisit their favorite clips. This update also involves a slight redesign, shifting the “Dislike” button from its current prominent position.
This could change how users interact with Shorts.
Right now, the YouTube Shorts player showcases “Like” and “Dislike” icons on the top right. Some versions also display a “Remix” button further down. But with this new test, the thumbs down (Dislike) icon will be moved to make room for a “Save” button.
According to YouTube:
“To make it easier to bookmark Shorts that you love, want to return to, or want to watch later, we’re experimenting with a ‘Save’ button in the Shorts player. If you’re a viewer in the test group, you’ll see the ‘Save’ icon, which you can use to save Shorts to a new or existing playlist. To accommodate this, the ‘Dislike’ button will be moved to the 3-dot menu. To express dislike or share feedback, just click the 3-dot icon in the top right, then select ‘Dislike’ from the menu.”
So while the “Like” button remains easily accessible, if you want to dislike a clip, you’ll have to dig a little deeper.
This could influence the feedback loop within Shorts, affecting how users refine their content feed. However, since YouTube’s Shorts algorithm already accounts for factors like watch time and engagement, it may not need the “Dislike” button to understand a user’s preferences — how quickly you scroll past a video might be just as telling.
It also hints that viewers might not be using the “Dislike” button as much as the “Like” button. And for YouTube to move this function, the gap between their usage must be quite substantial.
Additionally, the Shorts player already features a “Not interested” option under the 3-dot menu. Now, users will have both “Dislike” and “Not interested” to choose from, which presents a unique dilemma: “Did I dislike it or was I simply uninterested?”
For clarity, the current “Save to Playlist” option (which lives in the 3-dot menu) will just switch places with “Dislike” for those in the test.
It’s worth noting that this is merely an experiment, so there’s no guarantee of a permanent change, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.
YouTube is rolling out this test to a small number of mobile users.