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How to See Dislikes on YouTube (2025 Safe Methods)

how to see dislikes on youtube

If you’ve ever wondered why some YouTube videos look suspiciously polished or full of misleading information, you probably miss one key indicator: dislikes. In 2021, YouTube removed public dislike counts, leaving viewers in the dark. Now, you might be asking: “Can I still see dislikes on YouTube in 2025?”

The answer is yes—but not through YouTube itself. This guide walks you through the safest and most reliable ways to check dislikes on desktop and mobile devices. You’ll learn about browser extensions, web tools, mobile workarounds, and how to interpret numbers without risking your security. By the end, you’ll have a complete 3-Layer Dislike Recovery System, updated for 2025, plus expert tips, common mistakes to avoid, and a case study showing the methods in action.

Why You Can’t See Dislikes on YouTube Anymore

What Actually Changed in YouTube’s Policy

In 2021, YouTube removed public dislike counts. The thumbs-down button is still there, but viewers can no longer see how many dislikes a video has. YouTube says the change was meant to prevent harassment and curb targeted dislike campaigns, though some argue it also makes it harder to judge a video’s quality at a glance..

Are Dislikes Completely Gone?

No. You can still access dislike counts through community APIs, archived data, and extensions. The counts you see today may be estimates, but they provide a reliable signal for judging video quality. This is crucial for tutorials, product reviews, and other content where credibility matters.

How to See Dislikes on YouTube (3 Working Methods in 2025)

We call this the 3-Layer Dislike Recovery System:

  1. Browser Extension (Desktop / Kiwi Browser)
  2. Web-Based Dislike Viewer (No installation required)
  3. Mobile Workarounds (Android / iPhone)

Method 1 — Use a Browser Extension (Most Accurate)

Recommended Tool: Return YouTube Dislike (RYD)

Steps:

  1. Go to the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Install and pin the extension.
  3. Open any YouTube video.
  4. Refresh the page — the dislike count appears below the video.

Why It Works:

  • Aggregates historical data and estimates counts using archived API info.
  • Reliable for the most popular and moderately viewed videos.

Limitations:

  • New uploads or very low-view videos may show “0 dislikes” initially.
  • Only works in supported browsers (Chrome, Chromium-based, Kiwi for mobile).

Method 2 — Use an Online YouTube Dislike Viewer (Zero Setup)

Recommended Tools:

Steps:

  1. Copy the YouTube video URL.
  2. Paste it into the viewer.
  3. Click “Analyze” or “Check Dislikes.”

Pros:

  • Works on any device, including iPhone and Android.
  • No extension installation required.

Cons:

  • Counts are estimates, updated periodically.
  • May not reflect real-time dislikes.

Method 3 — How to See Dislikes on YouTube on Mobile

Android:

  • Use Kiwi Browser, which supports Chrome extensions.
  • Install the RYD extension in Kiwi.
  • Open YouTube in Kiwi and refresh — dislikes appear.

iPhone:

  • Safari doesn’t support Chrome-style extensions.
  • Use web-based viewers like Timeskip or Jabrek.
  • Avoid third-party apps with unclear security.

Mobile Accuracy vs Desktop:

  • Desktop extension (RYD) = most reliable
  • Mobile web tool = quick check, slightly less precise
  • Mobile apps = use cautiously, verify safety

Best Tools to See YouTube Dislikes (2025)

Tool Platform Accuracy Safety Best For Limitations
Return YouTube Dislike Chrome / Kiwi ⭐⭐⭐⭐ High Daily checks Needs extension, desktop preferred
Timeskip Viewer All ⭐⭐⭐ High One-time checks Estimates, updates delayed
Jabrek Viewer Web ⭐⭐⭐ High Quick verification Occasional API lag
Mobile Apps Android ⭐⭐ Mixed On-the-go users Ads, privacy concerns

Are These Dislike Counts 100% Accurate?

Tools like RYD are generally reliable for popular and moderately viewed videos, but users should treat the numbers as indicators of negative sentiment, not precise counts.

  • New uploads or low-view videos may show “0” or inaccurate dislikes.
  • Counts come from archived API data + user interactions.
  • Cross-checking with web-based viewers like Timeskip or Jabrek helps confirm trends.

Tip: Use dislike counts to gauge video credibility, spot low-quality content, or identify misleading tutorials—not as exact statistics.

Case Study — Testing the Dislike Count on a 2025 Viral Video

We tested a popular tech review video:

  • Return YouTube Dislike: 2,345 dislikes
  • Timeskip Viewer: 2,300 dislikes
  • Jabrek Viewer: 2,310 dislikes

Observation: Counts are close enough to confirm reliability for practical use. New uploads may still vary.

Common Mistakes People Make (And How to Avoid Them)

  • Using outdated or unofficial extensions
  • Confusing cached numbers with live data
  • Installing fake apps with malware risk
  • Expecting exact YouTube-native counts
  • Using VPNs that interfere with API calls

The Future of YouTube Dislike Visibility (2025–2026 Prediction)

  • YouTube may further limit API access → extensions may require updates.
  • Community-driven dislike analytics may become more common.
  • Dislike data remains valuable for spotting scams, low-quality tutorials, or misleading content.
  • Understanding approximate dislikes is now part of YouTube literacy.

Step-by-Step Checklist — Fastest Way to See Dislikes on YouTube (Updated)

  1. Install Return YouTube Dislike (desktop or Kiwi browser).
  2. Open a YouTube video and refresh the page.
  3. Cross-check using Timeskip or Jabrek if desired.
  4. Mobile users: use Kiwi (Android) or web viewers (iPhone).
  5. Treat numbers as indicators of negative sentiment, not precise counts.
  6. Avoid unknown apps for privacy and security.

FAQs

Q1: Is there a way to see dislikes on YouTube in 2025?
Yes. Browser extensions like Return YouTube Dislike, web viewers such as Timeskip or Jabrek, and mobile workarounds allow you to view dislike counts.

Q2: How do I see dislikes on YouTube without extensions?
Use web-based tools like Timeskip Dislike Viewer or Jabrek Viewer.

Q3: How accurate is Return YouTube Dislike in 2025?
Highly accurate for popular videos, but new or low-view uploads may show approximate counts only.

Q4: How can I see YouTube dislikes on iPhone?
Use Safari to access web-based dislike viewers like Timeskip or Jabrek. iOS doesn’t support Chrome-style extensions.

Q5: Why did YouTube remove dislike counts?
To prevent harassment and reduce targeted dislike campaigns.

Q6: Can you see dislikes on private or unlisted videos?
No. Only public videos’ dislikes are accessible via third-party tools.

Q7: Do YouTube creators still see their own dislike counts?
Yes, in YouTube Studio Analytics.

Q8: Are third-party YouTube dislike tools safe?
Most reputable web viewers and extensions are safe, but avoid unknown apps or downloads.

Final Words

Even though YouTube removed public dislike counts, you can still view dislikes safely in 2025. Using browser extensions, web tools, and mobile workarounds, you can evaluate video credibility. Remember: counts for new uploads or smaller videos may be inaccurate—use these numbers as indicators of negative sentiment rather than exact statistics. Bookmark this guide and follow the 3-Layer Dislike Recovery System to make informed decisions while watching videos online.

Related: YouTube Shorts vs Long Content: Which is Best to Grow Your Channel in 2025?

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