What Is The Average Like To Dislike Ratio Youtube Shorts

For YouTube Shorts creators, engagement metrics are everything. Among them, the like-to-dislike ratio offers quick insight into how your content is received. While dislikes are no longer visible publicly, creators still see them inside YouTube Studio — and patterns across niches are telling. Some categories consistently earn higher like ratios, while others naturally attract more polarized reactions. Understanding these differences can help you set realistic expectations and measure your Shorts’ performance more accurately, especially when comparing across topics.

How the Like-to-Dislike Ratio Is Measured

Although YouTube removed public dislike counts in 2021, creators still have access to them in YouTube Studio. This allows for internal tracking of the like-to-dislike ratio, which is typically calculated using the following formula:

Like-to-Dislike Ratio = (Likes / (Likes + Dislikes)) × 100

For example, if a Short has 900 likes and 100 dislikes, the ratio would be:
(900 / (900 + 100)) × 100 = 90%

This percentage reflects the portion of positive engagement and is often used to gauge content approval. A higher ratio (above 90%) usually indicates strong viewer approval, while lower ratios suggest mixed or negative feedback.

Keep in mind:

YouTube Shorts tend to attract more impulsive interactions due to their fast-paced format.
Even with more likes overall, the percentage can vary significantly depending on content type and audience.

General Benchmarks Across YouTube Shorts

While official YouTube data on average like-to-dislike ratios isn’t publicly available, patterns reported by creators and data analysts provide a reliable reference. Across most Shorts content, the typical like-to-dislike ratio ranges from 90% to 98%, depending on factors like niche, audience behavior, and video quality.

Here are common benchmarks observed:

Above 95% – Indicates strong audience approval. Common in entertainment, humor, and satisfying content with broad appeal.
90% to 95% – Considered healthy and average for most categories.
85% to 89% – May reflect divisive content or below-average production/editing.
Below 85% – Signals controversial or polarizing content, or that the video isn’t meeting viewer expectations.

Creators should also remember:

Shorts often reach non-subscribers, which increases the chance of mixed feedback.
Viral videos can bring in a broader audience, sometimes reducing the like ratio even if views and shares are high.
Low ratios aren’t always negative — they can reflect strong engagement on opinionated or discussion-driven content.

Typical Ratios by Content Category

Engagement behavior varies by niche, and so does the average like-to-dislike ratio. Here’s a breakdown of what creators can typically expect across major YouTube Shorts categories:

Entertainment & Comedy

Average Ratio: 95–98%
Why: Lighthearted, funny, or relatable content usually earns overwhelmingly positive reactions. These Shorts often get shared widely and resonate across demographics, resulting in high like ratios and few dislikes.

Education & How-Tos

Average Ratio: 92–96%
Why: Educational Shorts tend to attract positive engagement, especially when the content is clear and useful. Dislikes may increase slightly if the tutorial is rushed, misleading, or lacks depth.

Gaming

Average Ratio: 90–95%
Why: Gaming audiences are passionate and engaged, but they can also be critical. High-skill gameplay, tips, and highlights perform well, but controversial takes or low-quality uploads may receive more dislikes.

Reactions & Commentary

Average Ratio: 85–92%
Why: These videos often include personal opinions, which can be divisive. While engaging, this niche tends to attract both strong supporters and critics, leading to more dislikes compared to neutral content.

Beauty & Fashion

Average Ratio: 93–97%
Why: Visually appealing, trend-based content in this niche often gets strong approval. Dislike rates tend to stay low unless the creator is discussing unpopular opinions or promoting questionable products.

Politics & Opinion-Based Content

Average Ratio: 70–85%
Why: This category naturally attracts polarized responses. Dislike ratios are usually higher, especially when the topic is sensitive or divisive. Creators in this space should expect mixed reactions even with high engagement.

Product Reviews & Tech

Average Ratio: 88–94%
Why: Viewers generally look for value in these Shorts. Clear, honest reviews get good ratios, while misleading or overly promotional content tends to receive more pushback in the form of dislikes.

Why Some Niches Get More Dislikes

Not all dislikes are negative — sometimes, they reflect how engaging or thought-provoking a video is. However, certain content types consistently attract higher dislike rates due to how viewers perceive or react to them. Here are a few common reasons:

1. Controversial or Opinionated Topics

Videos involving politics, social issues, or polarizing opinions often draw strong emotional reactions. Even if well-produced, they’re likely to receive more dislikes simply because audiences may disagree with the stance.

2. Clickbait or Misleading Titles

Shorts that overpromise or misrepresent the content lead to user frustration. Viewers who feel misled are quick to react negatively, especially in fast-consumption formats like Shorts.

3. Low Production Quality

In niches where viewers expect clean editing, clear audio, or informative visuals (e.g., tutorials, tech reviews), poor production standards can trigger dislikes. This is especially true when the topic is already saturated with higher-quality content.

4. Overly Promotional Content

Audiences are quick to spot Shorts that are designed more for selling than informing or entertaining. If a video feels like an ad — especially without disclosure — dislike rates typically rise.

5. Misaligned Targeting

Because Shorts often get pushed to a broad audience via the algorithm, a video might appear to users outside the intended niche. This mismatch can result in disengagement or negative feedback.

Ultimately, creators in high-dislike niches shouldn’t panic. If the goal is to spark conversation or present a unique take, some pushback is expected. What matters more is the overall engagement and whether the content resonates with your target viewers.

How to Interpret and Use This Metric as a Creator

The like-to-dislike ratio is just one piece of your overall performance data — and it shouldn’t be viewed in isolation. Here’s how creators can use it effectively without overanalyzing:

1. Monitor Trends, Not Just One Video

A single Short with a lower ratio doesn’t mean your content is failing. Watch for patterns across multiple uploads. If several Shorts in a row are showing decreasing approval, it may be time to reevaluate content direction or presentation.

2. Compare Within Your Niche

Don’t compare your tech review Short to a comedy Short with viral potential. Every niche has its own engagement norms. Instead, look at creators in your space and set your benchmarks accordingly.

3. Use It Alongside Other Metrics

Likes and dislikes alone don’t show the full picture. Combine this ratio with:

Watch time
Click-through rate
Shares
Comments (positive vs. negative sentiment)

A video with a 90% like ratio and high watch time may still outperform one with 98% likes and low retention.

4. Improve Based on Feedback

High dislike counts could be feedback in disguise. Check your comments and retention graphs. Are people dropping off early? Are common complaints appearing? Use that data to tweak future content.

5. Don’t Let It Dictate Your Content Fully

Some topics naturally draw disagreement. If your content is opinion-driven or aims to challenge norms, a lower like ratio isn’t necessarily bad — it may indicate high engagement and emotional response, which still helps your reach.

In short: track the ratio, but don’t obsess over it. Focus on improving clarity, presentation, and relevance to your audience.

Conclusion

The like-to-dislike ratio on YouTube Shorts is a quick way to gauge viewer sentiment — but it’s not a universal metric. Ratios can vary significantly across categories, with entertainment and visual content typically performing better than opinion-based or controversial topics. Creators should focus on trends within their niche and treat this ratio as just one part of a larger performance picture.

Rather than chasing perfect ratios, aim to create content that delivers value, sparks engagement, and aligns with your audience’s expectations. In the end, even polarizing content can be successful if it drives meaningful interaction and watch time.