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Return YouTube Dislike

An open-source extension that shows the YouTube dislike count again.

Reviewed by Xplorekit's independent developer · Last checked · How we choose

Add to Chrome Open source · Chrome Web Store · Source on GitHub

Why it's a strong pick

Return YouTube Dislike does one job and explains how it works. Its project documents what the extension sends, and it says plainly that the count is partly an estimate. It is open source under GPLv3 and uses Manifest V3, Chrome's current extension format. Its latest release came in September 2026.

What it does

YouTube removed the public dislike count. This extension brings a count back on video pages. The project's README says its backend mixes archived data, scraped stats and estimates drawn from the data of extension users. You can use it as a quick quality signal before you watch.

Key features

  • Dislike count on videos. It shows a count on YouTube video pages.
  • Open API. The README describes a free open API, with attribution and rate limits.
  • Optional sign-in. Premium features are optional, with Patreon or GitHub sign-in.
  • Userscript too. The project also offers a userscript version.
  • Open source. The code is public under GPLv3.

Who it's for

It is for viewers who want a quick quality signal before they watch a video, such as a tutorial or a product review. The extension is free to install. The README also lists donation and Patreon links.

What permissions does Return YouTube Dislike ask for?

Its manifest asks for storage, and lists identity as optional. It asks for access to YouTube (youtube.com) and to the project's API (returnyoutubedislikeapi.com). Its content script runs on youtube.com and leaves out music.youtube.com. That is a short list for what it does.

Is the dislike count real?

Partly. The project's FAQ says the backend uses archived stats, plus estimates extrapolated from extension user data and estimates from view and like ratios. So treat the number as a guide, not an exact tally. It works best as one signal next to the comments and the video itself.

What does it send, and does it track me?

This is the project's own statement, from its security FAQ. The extension sends the current video ID and, when available, the visible like count to the API. The request also exposes your IP address and the request time. The FAQ says it does not send your account name, comments or unrelated page content, and keeps no local watch-history list.

What happens when I vote?

Per the same FAQ, voting uses a persistent random ID that is not linked to your Google account. Confirmed vote records keep the network address for abuse prevention and aggregate analytics. The FAQ says this data is not sold or used for advertising. Premium sign-in is optional.

FAQ

Is it free? The extension is free to install. Premium features are optional, and we did not check their price.

Does it work on YouTube Music? Its content script leaves out music.youtube.com.

Is it open source? Yes, under GPLv3.

Good to know

The count is an estimate, so a big number on a new or small video may be less certain than one on a popular video. Use it with the comments, not instead of them. Read the project's security FAQ if you want the full detail on what it sends.

Other YouTube tools to compare

Return YouTube Dislike is one of 4 picks in our YouTube tools guide:

This is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing — install and permissions are entirely between you and the extension's own publisher.