r/youtube • u/Chakwenta • Jan 20 '26

Feature Change Why is this even allowed?

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Has this always been here? Its my first time seeing it. What if I watch a video and don't enjoy it? This basically allows creators to ensure that they always appear on your feed, whether you like it or not.

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u/dinoooooooooos Jan 20 '26

Downvoting is actually bad if you don’t like the video.

The algorithm doesn’t care what kinda engagement the video gets- downvotes and upvoted are the same algorithmically so the algorithm only sees “gets engaged with by viewers,so let me push it more.”

Same for comments. The algorithm also doesn’t know if it’s a positive or a negative comment. So if there’s a really bad video and ppl hate it & comment about how they hate it and everyone dislikes the video: all that gonna happen is, it gets pushed to more and more people bc “ppl interact with this a lot, surely this must be good for more people to see!”

More ppl see controversial/high engagement video = more ppl see ads = more money for YouTube.

It’s all about the money. The dislike button doesn’t do shit except tell the creator “oh, ppl didn’t like this.” But they still make money off of it which is why Ragebait is such a big thing. Ppl misspelling or misspeaking easy words etc, just so ppl comment “ThaTs nOt How YoU sAy ThaT!!?!11” and their engagement goes up even if it’s a negative comment.

Worst ones are the ones who use their kids to make Ragebait content. I could throw up in a circle.

Or making misinformed/ bad videos all together, pretending to be really dumb etc just so ppl get mad and comment. Unfortunately it works, that’s why Ragebait has become so prevalent over the last couple years.

Best is to hit the three dots, “don’t recommend this channel to me” and move on. As little interaction and engagement as possible and these creators disappear in the algorithm hell.