YouTube changes interface in a move that could make disliking content harder

Jakarta (ANTARA) - YouTube is reportedly experimenting again with changes to its interface that could make it harder for users to press the dislike icon on content.

The move appears to follow YouTube’s controversial decision to remove the visible number of dislikes from videos made by content creators.

Phone Arena reported on Tuesday (20 October), local time, that the change to the position of the dislike icon on YouTube was spotted by an X user with the account name @TheBobPony.

The change appears to be limited to a small number of users, and screenshots indicate that it is being tested on the desktop website. YouTube users have shared at least two versions of the interface on an online discussion forum.

The experiment remains a trial and may not become a permanent feature. However, a similar change has already been made to YouTube Shorts, which no longer has a dislike option in its interface as of early 2026.

The option allows users to avoid content they do not like, but this is no longer as simple as clicking a clearly displayed thumbs-down button.

That is because the dislike button remains the easiest way to signal that a video is poor, and users may find it more convenient than the similar method used for Shorts content.