The capacity for content creators on the YouTube platform to identify specific users who have registered a negative reaction to their published material is a common point of inquiry. Currently, YouTube’s architecture does not provide channel owners with the granular data necessary to associate a “dislike” with a particular account. While the total number of negative ratings is visible to the content creator within YouTube Studio, the identities of those who clicked the “dislike” button remain anonymous.
This design choice reflects YouTube’s approach to user privacy and discourages potential harassment or targeting of individuals based on their feedback on content. Historically, the platform has prioritized fostering a constructive, albeit sometimes critical, community environment. Allowing creators to pinpoint individual detractors could lead to a chilling effect on honest critiques and potentially incentivize creators to suppress dissenting opinions. The aggregate “dislike” count provides a general indication of audience sentiment without compromising individual user anonymity.