How to See Who Disliked Your YouTube Video

You‘ve just uploaded your latest YouTube video and refresh the page excitedly to check on views. Scanning down, you note the number of likes and then spot the dislikes. "Huh, 10 dislikes already? I wonder who those people are and what they didn‘t like about my video?"

It‘s a common curiosity and many YouTubers wish they could identify exactly who clicked that thumbs down icon. But is it actually possible to see the names of dislikers on YouTube?

Unfortunately, the short answer is no. YouTube‘s design intentionally keeps the identities of likers and dislikers anonymous to protect privacy. However, there are still a few tactics you can try to get some insight on video dislikes.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover:

• Why YouTube doesn‘t show who disliked a video
• Third-party services that claim to reveal dislikers
• Comparing Social Blade vs. Tubics for dislike data
• What YouTube Insights and Google Analytics display
• Checking comments for negative feedback
• Expert best practices: Focus on value not dislikes

Let‘s dive in!

Why YouTube Doesn‘t Show Who Disliked a Video

YouTube lets viewers tap a thumbs up or thumbs down icon to leave feedback without requiring them to leave a written comment. This offers a quick and easy way for viewers to share their opinion.

However, YouTube designed this system to purposefully keep the identities of likers and dislikers anonymous. There are a few likely reasons behind this:

• Privacy: Viewers may wish to leave critical feedback anonymously without worrying the video creator will see their name.
• Reduce harassment: Keeping dislikes anonymous protects viewers from retaliation for critical opinions.
• Emphasize content: Focus stays on the video itself, not the individuals liking or disliking it.

Additionally, YouTube software engineer Susan Wojcicki, who later became CEO, was involved in the original design of the ratings system. In a 2020 interview, she explained the decision to keep raters anonymous:

"We talked about identities of the raters. Should you know who rated the video? We decided no, that introduces too much bias."

So while it can be tempting to want to see exactly who hit dislike and ask them why, that goes against YouTube‘s intent to keep viewer information private and reduce bias.

Next we‘ll analyze third-party services that claim they can reveal individual dislikers before examining built-in YouTube analytics.

Using Third-Party Services to See Dislikers

While YouTube keeps disliker identities hidden, several third-party analytics tools advertise special capabilities to show exactly who disliked a video. Examples that generate lots of creator interest include Social Blade, Tubics, Vidooly and more.

However, it‘s important to understand these services do not have special access to non-public YouTube data or dislike sources. At best, their conclusions likely rely on reasonable guesses based on public information. The odds of accurately identifying specific individual dislikers are extremely low.

Let‘s do a deeper comparison of the two most popular options – Social Blade vs. Tubics.

Social Blade

Founded in 2008, Social Blade provides free YouTube analytics focused on tracking daily, monthly and yearly video views, future projections and subscriber growth.

Their premium service expands capabilities to estimate earnings and promise to show precise data on who dislikes a video.

However, without special data access, Social Blade‘s best guess conclusions derive from analyzing public activity patterns and correlations. For example, viewers who comment negatively may also presumably dislike.

But analysis based on visible signals remains speculative guesswork behind the scenes. Their dislike sources are unverifiable.

On the plus side, Social Blade delivers excellent aggregate performance tracking. Their longevity also establishes credibility even if specific dislike accuracy has flaws.

Tubics

In contrast, Tubics positions fully as a dislike identity service, launched in 2021 specifically to reveal who clicks thumbs down. The newer company lacks Social Blade‘s longevity.

Tubics also analyzes observable viewer behaviors to guess dislike sources, likely searching profiles of those commenting critically. This still involves probability assumptions without verifying actual raters.

Both Social Blade and Tubics provide entertainment creator Anthony Fantano this cautionary perspective on their accuracy:

"They likely look through comments people have left on videos and make assumptions based on what they‘ve said. I wouldn’t call that super accurate."

So while estimating probable dislikes based on context clues, neither platform has special access to non-public rater data. The odds of correctly identifying specific individuals remains extremely low.

In summary, while dislike insights may have some directional value, resist the temptation to pay these services for unverifiable data of questionable accuracy. Rely instead on YouTube‘s own rich analytics we‘ll explore next.

Leveraging YouTube Insights

Rather than seeking services to expose the identities of individual dislikers, shift focus to tapping YouTube‘s own powerful Insights analytics.

While Insights doesn‘t name specific raters either, the dashboard reveals valuable aggregate dislike data to guide video strategy – all included free with any YouTube account.

Access Insights from YouTube Studio:

Key dislike metrics to analyze include:

• Total dislike count
• Dislike percentage relative to likes
• Changes in dislikes over time
• Demographic segmentation of dislikers

For example, rapid dislike acceleration may signal viewers are increasingly unsatisfied with recent content direction.

Or segmentation could surface one subgroup driving above average negative ratings, suggesting opportunity to refine targeting.

While figures only quantify general dislike patterns, intelligent observations inform publishing and platform optimization.

structures around typical dislike benchmarks for categories and subjects. For example, animation channels average 12% dislike ratios compared to 30% for politics:

Comparing against category norms spotlights unusually high or fast growing dislike sentiment requiring attention. Integrate contextual intelligence into analysis before overreacting.

YouTube analysts like Nicholas Light recommend assessing dislike spikes relative to view velocity as well:

"If lots of people are coming to a video quickly, you‘ll probably see some new viewers who disagree. I only worry if dislikes outpace additional views."

Get smart with the numbers before making knee jerk content or messaging changes. Ground observations in wider understanding.

For even richer analysis, connect Google Analytics next.

Connecting Google Analytics

Complement Insights by linking your YouTube channel with Google Analytics for expanded reporting capabilities.

The free connection imports valuable watch time, traffic source and search keyword metrics not available within Insights alone.

Plus, Google Analytics‘ flexible filtering better dissects dislike demographics and behavioraligns messaging and creative to maximize likeability.

Linking is easy within YouTube Studio:

1. YouTube Studio > Settings > Connected apps
2. Under Analytics, click Connect beside Google Analytics
3. Sign into Google Analytics account

Once connected, creators gain expanded analytics through:

• Filtering by geography, age groups and other attributes
• Comparing segments across multiple videos
• Correlating traffic sources and viewer loyalty
• Checking dislike velocity week-over-week

Dynamic filtering diagnostics not available in Insights alone.

For example, apply a segment filter to isolate 18-24 year old viewers from Germany who dislike at higher than average rates across several uploads.

Then assess secondary emotional and psychological factors turning this subgroup against recent content. Do thumbnails misrepresent value? Does pace bore short attention spans?

Pinpoint areas for realignment through updated topic selection, style adjustments, or collaboration with influencers already popular with the demographic.

While the individual identities of dislikers remain protected, filtered analytics provide aggregated understandings that guide positive change.

Checking Comments for Feedback

Beyond quantitative metrics, comments provide qualitative context revealing why some viewers clicked thumbs down.

Scan recent comments sorting newest first and tag critiques highlighting areas for improvement:

Tally common subjective objections around:

• Overdone topic
• Annoying music
• Too much self-promotion
• Didn‘t teach promised lesson

Group similar complaints and rank by frequency to identify widespread constructive criticism useful for revisions.

For example, snarky comments like "This sucks lol" lack helpful direction. But multiple people noting "Music drowned out voice demonstration" pinpoints improveable production flaws.

While assessing subjective feedback, emotionally distance yourself from negativity not articulating specific meaning. Push outside comfort zones, but filter useless attacks.

Expert YouTube Growth Strategist Sunny Lenarduzzi suggests handling this balance delicately:

"It‘s important not to ignore feedback completely. But don‘t let cruel comments wreck your self-confidence either. I have a 24 hour policy to sit with critiques before calmly responding."

In summary, dislike volumes and commenting patterns check assumptions and realign creative direction with audience needs. Segmented analytics filters also suggest subgroups to better target.

But no tool definitively IDs individual dislikers. Shifting focus, YouTube co-founder Steve Chen himself argues obsession over criticism misses the point anyway:

"Don‘t be discouraged just because some people dislike your videos. Stay positive and keep creating content that you love."

Ultimately, that mindset empowers creators to prosper long-term.

Focus on Value Over Dislikes

It‘s tempting to fixate on exactly who clicked thumbs down and why. But constantly investigating how to see who disliked your YouTube video distracts from improvement opportunities within your control.

Dislikes always exist across even top YouTubers‘ uploads. Not every piece of content resonates with every viewer. Misalignment of interests guarantees some negative reactions as standard course.

Trying to eliminate dislikes completely typically backfires through controversial moderation. Accept reasonable criticism in context instead while building community around shared values.

The creators who consistently cultivate loyal followings center video and engagement quality first before recognition. Pour energy into better production and compassion over identifying individual critics.

Then let your subscriber base reflect appreciation through views, comments, shares and likes.

Measured self-analysis spotting areas for improvement keeps perspective grounded in humility. But don‘t hand the wheel to hostile voices lacking constructive direction.

Build understanding and connection, not conflict. Protect privacy and nourish mutual respect.

YouTube‘s design intention omits visibility of individual likes and dislikes, keeping focus on collective content impact rather than personal opinions. Flow with that wisdom.

Rather than investigating techniques to see who disliked videos, creative leaders double down delivering value viewers crave through exceptional information and entertainment.

Shift attention towards uplifting production and engagement, not trying to identify critics. Inspire audiences and serve needs better than anyone else, but accept not every piece of content resonates with every person.

Then let your body of work and community cultivated over time spotlight your difference making.

Stop worrying about how to see who disliked your YouTube video. Start inspiring people instead.