YouTube’s New UX Change
YouTube is quietly experimenting with a change that affects how users give negative feedback on YouTube Shorts. The platform is currently testing a redesigned dislike system that combines the Dislike and Not Interested options into a single action.
Instead of appearing directly on the Shorts player, the new feedback option is now tucked inside the three-dot menu during playback. Depending on the test group, users may see it labeled as either Dislike or Not interested, though both perform the same function.
Why YouTube Is Merging Dislike and Not Interested
YouTube says many viewers already use both buttons interchangeably, often without understanding the difference between them. By merging the two options, the company aims to simplify the feedback process while still allowing its recommendation system to learn from user behavior.
This change also reduces interface clutter, aligning with YouTube’s broader efforts to streamline Shorts as the format continues to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels.
How the New Dislike Button Affects Recommendations
Feedback Prompts May Still Appear
In some cases, tapping the combined dislike option triggers a follow-up prompt asking why the viewer disliked the Short. This is similar to the current Not Interested flow, where users can choose reasons such as irrelevant content or repeated videos.
Recommendations Still Learn From Your Actions
Even though the interface is changing, YouTube confirms that negative feedback will continue to influence what appears in your Shorts feed. The difference is how that feedback is collected and presented.
Is This Change Rolling Out to Everyone?
For now, the redesigned dislike option is part of a limited test. YouTube has not shared details on how many users are included or whether the change will roll out globally.
As with many YouTube experiments, the feature may evolve further — or be scrapped entirely — depending on user response.
