The Anatomy of Online Discontent
A data-driven exploration of the videos that have garnered the most dislikes on the YouTube platform.
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Introduction to Dislikes
Defining Dislikes
This compilation details the top 42 videos with the most dislikes on YouTube, as recorded up to December 12, 2021. The data is sourced directly from individual video pages on the platform. YouTube introduced the like and dislike buttons in 2010, replacing a five-star rating system that proved inefficient due to infrequent use of intermediate ratings.
Significance of Metrics
While dislike counts offer a quantitative measure, they do not solely represent a video's unpopularity. The dislike percentage provides a more nuanced view. Notably, some highly liked videos, such as "Despacito," "Baby Shark Dance," and "Gangnam Style," also appear on this list, illustrating the complex nature of audience reception.
Platform Landscape
As of December 2021, CocomelonโNursery Rhymes led the platform in terms of video presence on this list, with thirteen entries. YouTube's own channel and Jingle Toons each had two videos featured. This prevalence highlights trends in content consumption and audience engagement patterns.
Historical Context of Dislikes
The Reign of "Baby" and "Rewind"
In March 2011, Rebecca Black's "Friday" surpassed Justin Bieber's "Baby" in dislikes, becoming the most disliked video. "Baby" itself had previously entered the Guinness World Records for this distinction. By December 13, 2018, "YouTube Rewind 2018: Everyone Controls Rewind" overtook "Baby," becoming the most disliked video on the platform, achieving this status rapidly and marking a significant moment in YouTube's cultural history.
Evolution of Dislike Records
The data indicates a progression of videos holding the "most disliked" title. Early records include "YouTube Worst Video of All Time" and "Baby." The transition to "Friday," then back to "Baby," and finally to "YouTube Rewind 2018" illustrates shifts in online sentiment and the platform's evolving content landscape. YouTube's decision to remove public dislike counts in November 2021 marked a significant change in how this metric is presented.
Video Categories
Music videos, particularly those aimed at children, constitute a substantial portion of the most disliked content. Examples include "Baby Shark Dance," "Johny Johny Yes Papa," and various Cocomelon productions. Gaming trailers, such as "Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare," and movie trailers, like "Sadak 2," have also faced significant dislike campaigns.
Understanding the Data
Key Data Points
The provided table details critical metrics for each video:
- Rank: Position based on dislike count.
- Video Name: Title of the content.
- Uploader/Artist: Creator or performer.
- Dislike Count (millions): Approximate number of dislikes.
- Dislikes (%): Percentage of dislikes relative to total interactions (likes + dislikes).
- Upload Date: Original publication date.
- Type: Category of the video (e.g., Music video, Trailer, Vlog).
Note: Public dislike counts were hidden by YouTube on November 10, 2021. The data reflects counts as of December 12, 2021.
The Table of Dislikes
The following table presents a snapshot of the most disliked videos on YouTube, compiled from available data prior to the public hiding of dislike counts.
Broader Context and Implications
Reasons for Dislikes
Dislike campaigns, often termed "review bombing," can target videos for various reasons. These include dissatisfaction with content creators, political commentary, perceived misinformation, or simply a collective online sentiment against a particular video or trend. The high dislike percentage on some videos, like movie trailers or creator-specific content, often reflects strong negative reactions from specific communities.
The Rise of Children's Content
The significant presence of children's content, particularly from channels like Cocomelon, among the most disliked videos is a notable phenomenon. While these videos often achieve massive view counts, they also attract a disproportionately high number of dislikes. This may indicate parental frustration, algorithmic recommendations, or a general online reaction to the repetitive nature of such content.
Politics vs. Entertainment
The use of dislikes in political contexts has been observed, with videos related to elections or political figures sometimes attracting large numbers of dislikes. This phenomenon suggests that online platforms can serve as arenas for political expression and dissent. However, the line between genuine critique and coordinated dislike campaigns remains a subject of discussion.
Platform Policy Shift
Hiding Public Dislikes
In November 2021, YouTube announced its decision to make public dislike counts private. The stated rationale was to protect creators from targeted harassment and dislike attacks. This move aimed to foster a more positive environment by reducing the visibility of negative feedback metrics.
Community Reaction
The decision was met with widespread criticism from creators and users alike. Many argued that visible dislikes serve as a crucial indicator of video quality, trustworthiness, and potential misinformation. The removal of this metric was seen by some as hindering users' ability to gauge content reliability and potentially empowering low-quality or misleading videos.
Workarounds and Future Implications
Following YouTube's announcement, third-party browser extensions emerged, aiming to restore the visibility of estimated dislike counts. YouTube also removed dislike data from its API, further complicating efforts to track this metric. The long-term impact of this change on content quality and user trust remains an area of ongoing observation.
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References
References
- Some videos may not be available worldwide due to YouTube regional restrictions in certain countries.
- YouTube Rewind 2018 became the most disliked video on YouTube in 6 days and 10 hours, further being the first to break 10 million dislikes.
- On May 10, 2021, "Johny Johny Yes Papa" became the fifth YouTube video to surpass 10 million dislikes.
- Recipe for Disaster is the most viewed non-music video with over 4.5 billion views.
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Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an AI model, synthesizing information from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on the list of most-disliked YouTube videos. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only.
This is not professional analysis or endorsement. The information presented does not constitute advice regarding content creation, platform policy, or internet culture trends. Users should consult official YouTube documentation and conduct their own research for definitive information. The AI and its creators are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information herein.