YouTube Tests Hiding Dislike Button in Menu
The platform is trialing an interface change that moves the dislike icon into an overflow menu for standard videos.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Internet
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YouTube is currently testing a new interface design that relocates the dislike button to a hidden overflow menu on its desktop website. While the like button remains in its standard position, the dislike feature is being integrated with the report function.
Why it matters
This change continues the platform's ongoing efforts to alter how users interact with content and feedback mechanisms. It follows the removal of public dislike counts and similar interface adjustments previously applied to short-form videos.
The interface test moves the dislike button into an overflow menu alongside the report button. This structural change aligns with the platform's 2021 decision to hide public dislike counts from the interface.
The players
YouTube
YouTube is a global video-sharing platform owned by Alphabet Inc. that hosts billions of hours of content and serves as a major hub for digital media consumption.
The details
Users on platforms like Reddit and X have reported the change on the desktop version of YouTube. The modification reflects a broader strategy to simplify the video interface by hiding specific interaction buttons behind additional clicks.
Timeline
2021: YouTube removed public dislike counts from videos.
Several months ago: The platform moved the dislike button to an overflow menu for YouTube Shorts.
October 2026: Users reported the dislike button being moved in new desktop interface tests.
The Tech Race
The current interface test marks a logical progression from the 2021 removal of public dislike counts by further restricting user access to the feature. By burying the dislike button in an overflow menu, YouTube is prioritizing a cleaner aesthetic over the visibility of negative feedback.
Desktop users may find it more difficult to signal disagreement with content as the dislike feature becomes less accessible. This change requires an extra click to navigate through the overflow menu rather than interacting with the button directly on the video player.
The takeaway
This adjustment signals a shift toward a more streamlined viewing experience that emphasizes positive engagement over critical feedback. Users should prepare for a potential UI update that standardizes this interaction across both desktop and mobile platforms.
Further reading
For additional context on how the platform manages user interaction, visit the United States Internet section.
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