YouTube is once again experimenting with the mechanics of user feedback on its Shorts platform. In a move aimed at simplifying how viewers control their content recommendations, the platform has begun a limited test that merges the functions of the "Dislike" and "Not interested" buttons into a single thumbs-down action. This change reflects YouTube's ongoing effort to refine the short-form video experience based on user behavior and feedback.
YouTube Tests a Unified Feedback Button for Shorts
The core of the new experiment is the consolidation of two distinct feedback mechanisms. YouTube has announced that it is testing a merged thumbs-down option for Shorts, which combines the actions of "Dislike" and "Not interested." For users included in the test, this unified button is being moved from the main video interface and placed behind the three-dot menu on a Short. Interestingly, the label shown to testers may vary, displaying either "Dislike" or "Not interested," but the underlying function—registering negative feedback to tune recommendations—remains identical. This test, which began the week of December 19, 2025, follows a previous experiment where the Dislike button was simply hidden in the menu, indicating a shift toward rethinking the purpose of the button itself.
Test Details:
- Feature Tested: Merged "Dislike" and "Not interested" button for YouTube Shorts.
- Button Placement: Located behind the three-dot menu on a Short.
- Variable Labels: Testers may see the button labeled as either "Dislike" or "Not interested."
- Additional Feedback: Tapping the button triggers an optional survey.
- Test Status: Limited experiment, active as of December 19, 2025.
The Reasoning Behind Merging User Feedback Options
YouTube's decision stems directly from observed user behavior. According to the company, feedback indicates that many viewers already use the Dislike and "Not interested" buttons interchangeably when they encounter a Short they don't enjoy. Furthermore, some users have expressed uncertainty about the practical difference between the two options. By merging them, YouTube aims to eliminate this confusion and create a more straightforward method for users to signal their preferences. The goal is to make it easier for viewers to fine-tune their Shorts feed, ensuring the algorithm surfaces more relevant and engaging content. To gather more nuanced data, users who tap the new thumbs-down button during the test will be presented with an optional feedback survey, similar to the existing "Not interested" flow.
Context Within YouTube's Broader Shorts Strategy
This interface experiment is not an isolated event but part of YouTube's continuous tinkering with Shorts, its answer to the dominant short-form video format popularized by platforms like TikTok. Refining recommendation signals is critical for maintaining user engagement in an endless scroll of content. Simultaneously, YouTube is aggressively integrating AI across its services. Recent tests in YouTube Music have introduced "AI music hosts" to provide commentary, while Shorts creators have gained access to "Photo to video" AI tools powered by Veo 2. The dislike button test, therefore, sits at the intersection of improving core user experience and leveraging data to train more effective algorithms for content discovery.
Related YouTube Shorts & AI Developments:
- Previous Test: YouTube previously tested hiding the Dislike button in the menu for some users in 2024.
- YouTube Music AI Test: Experiment with "AI music hosts" providing commentary and trivia.
- Shorts Creator Tools: "Photo to video" AI feature for creators, utilizing Veo 2 generation software.
What the Test Means for Users and the Future
As with most YouTube experiments, the scope of this test is limited. The company has not disclosed how many users are part of it, how long it will run, or if the merged button will see a wider rollout. The change represents a subtle but significant philosophical shift: it treats explicit dislike as a direct signal for algorithmic filtering, rather than as a public metric of sentiment. For the average user, the impact should be a simpler, more intuitive way to curate their feed. If the test proves successful and rolls out globally, it could standardize how negative feedback is given across Shorts, potentially leading to more personalized and satisfying content recommendations in the long run.