Dislikes

The most overlooked (and undervalued) of engagement metrics, dislikes are less common on platforms like YouTube, but still tell a powerful story. A dislike signals disapproval, but here's the twist - it's still engagement. For creators, dislikes can help measure content that's divisive enough to provoke a reaction. Which is always better than no reaction at all. If dislikes outweigh likes, it's a red flag to rework your messaging, tone, or even your strategy.

However, over-focusing on them can lead to safe, bland content. Smart brands look at dislikes in the bigger context - comments, views, and overall sentiment - to see where tweaks, not overhauls, are needed. Don't fear dislikes; learn from them.