On YouTube, clicking the thumbs down button (dislike) does affect the video's performance and how YouTube recommends it, but not in the way many people might think. While a high number of dislikes can indicate to the platform that a video is not well-received, it doesn't directly translate to lower earnings or reduced video promotion. Instead, dislikes influence how YouTube categorizes the video and tailors recommendations to users.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Impact on Video Visibility:
- Algorithm Influence:
YouTube's algorithm considers dislikes as a data point for engagement, similar to likes and comments.
- Reduced Visibility:
A high ratio of dislikes to likes can signal to the algorithm that a video may not be relevant or enjoyable to a wide audience, potentially leading to reduced visibility in search results and recommendations.
- Not a Direct Earnings Impact:
Dislikes do not directly impact a creator's earnings.
- Engagement is Key:
YouTube values engagement, and dislikes, while negative, still indicate that viewers are interacting with the video.
- For YouTube Shorts: The algorithm prioritizes whether viewers watch the video to completion or swipe away. If a large number of people swipe away within the first few seconds, it signals to the algorithm that the content is not engaging or relevant to that initial audience, and as a result, the video may be shown to fewer people in the future.
- For longer YouTube videos: The algorithm also considers "Watch Time" and "Audience Retention" as crucial ranking factors. Even if a partial view counts towards the total view count (a view is counted if a video is watched for 30 seconds or more, or if it's less than 30 seconds and watched in full), according to Quora, a short watch time can negatively impact the video's overall performance. If viewers frequently abandon a video early, it tells the algorithm that the content isn't holding their attention, and it might be recommended less often.