YouTube tests tucking its dislike button away into an overflow menu

YouTube has begun testing an interface change on its desktop website that conceals the dislike button on standard, long-form videos. Multiple user reports spotted on X and Reddit show the button removed from its typical spot beside the like counter and relocated into a three-dots overflow menu. [2][3][4]

Under the experimental layout, the like button remains visible front and center while the thumbs-down option sits hidden alongside options like the report button. Although the feature has not disappeared entirely, tucking it inside a submenu introduces extra friction that will likely discourage viewers from leaving negative feedback. [2][3][4]

The experiment represents another step in the platform's gradual reduction of negative feedback indicators. YouTube previously eliminated public dislike counts in 2021 to prevent targeted harassment and removed the button from YouTube Shorts several months ago, suggesting this desktop test could become standard across regular videos. [2][3][4]