Disclosure: the YouTube Dislike Counter extension mentioned below is made by the team behind App How To Use It. Return YouTube Dislike is an independent open-source project.
YouTube stopped showing public dislike counts in November 2021. The dislike button still works, and creators can still see the number in YouTube Studio, but viewers only see likes. A YouTube dislike counter extension brings an estimated number back next to the like button. This guide explains how that works, which extensions to use and how far you can trust the numbers.
Where do the dislike numbers come from?
Because YouTube no longer publishes dislikes, extensions rely on the Return YouTube Dislike (RYD) API. It combines dislike data archived before the change with the votes of people who use the extension, and extrapolates from there. The result is an estimate, not the official figure: it is usually closer on popular videos, where more extension users have voted, and rougher on small ones.
YouTube dislike counter extensions compared
| Extension | Browsers | Data source | Chrome Web Store users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return YouTube Dislike | Chrome, Edge, Firefox and others | RYD API (runs it) | 5,000,000 |
| YouTube Dislike Counter (ours) | Chrome, Edge | RYD API | 10,000 |
- Return YouTube Dislike is the original, open-source project behind the API and the most widely used option. Get it from returnyoutubedislike.com.
- Our dislike extension shows the same estimate beside the like button, and has a floating box mode that keeps working when YouTube changes its page layout. It is available on the Chrome Web Store and Edge Add-ons; more at youtubedislike.app.
How to show the dislike counter on YouTube
- Open the extension page in your browser’s store and click Add to Chrome (or Get in Edge).
- Confirm with Add extension.
- Reload any open YouTube tab, open a video, and look next to the thumbs-down button.
Why is the dislike count not showing?
- Reload the page: extensions only start on tabs opened after installation.
- Check that the extension is switched on under chrome://extensions.
- YouTube changes its layout from time to time; update the extension, or use a floating box mode if it has one.
- Run only one dislike extension at a time, so they do not overwrite each other.
Is it safe to install a dislike extension?
Check two things on the store page before you install one. First, the permissions: a dislike counter needs access to youtube.com and to the API it reads from, not to every website you visit. Second, the privacy section: both extensions in the table state that they do not collect or sell personal data. Return YouTube Dislike publishes its source code, so anyone can see what it does.
How to judge a video without the dislike count
- Read the top comments. For tutorials and product reviews, people quickly point out when something does not work.
- Compare likes with views. A video with millions of views and very few likes is often clickbait.
- Check the upload date. Software guides go out of date fast; a recent video is more likely to match what you see on screen.
- Look at the chapters. If the chapter you need exists, you can jump straight to it and decide in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Why did YouTube remove the dislike count?
YouTube said it wanted to reduce targeted “dislike attacks” on creators. The count was hidden from viewers in November 2021, while creators kept access to it.
Are the dislike numbers accurate?
They are estimates. They are good for comparing how a video is received, not for exact figures.
Does it work on phones?
Not in the official YouTube app. These extensions work in desktop browsers.
A YouTube dislike counter is a simple way to get a sense of how viewers rated a video before you spend time on it. For more tools like this, see our list of free YouTube extensions. If the counter vanishes right after a browser update rather than a YouTube change, see Chrome extensions not working after an update.