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Making the dislike count private across YouTube (support.google.com)

1439 points by minimaxir · 1775 days ago · 1514 comments on HN

Article summary

The article discusses YouTube's decision to make the dislike count private across the platform. This move has sparked a debate among users, with some seeing it as a way to curb brigading and others as a form of censorship. The exact reasons behind YouTube's decision are not specified in the available comments. Users are discussing potential implications and alternative solutions to address the issue of brigading.

Main themes

  • YouTube's decision to hide dislike counts
  • censorship and free speech
  • brigading and vote manipulation
  • alternative review systems
  • platform governance and policy
  • user feedback and engagement

What commenters say

  • YouTube's decision to hide dislike counts is seen as a form of censorship that benefits corporate and political interests.
  • The dislike button is a valuable tool for users to express their opinions and provide feedback to content creators.
  • Brigading is a real problem that can be addressed through more nuanced solutions, such as throttling votes or displaying vote ratios over time.
  • Hiding dislike counts may not be an effective solution to brigading, as it can be circumvented by coordinated efforts.
  • Alternative platforms, such as Steam, have implemented more effective review systems that provide valuable insights to users.
  • YouTube's decision may be motivated by a desire to protect certain types of content, such as political or corporate videos, from negative feedback.
  • Some users argue that the dislike button is not an effective way to provide feedback, as it can be influenced by various factors, including brigading and personal biases.
  • Others propose that YouTube could implement more transparent and nuanced systems, such as displaying vote ratios or providing more detailed statistics, to address the issue of brigading.