Tag
youtube-shorts
3 stories
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July 28, 2026
•5 min read
YouTube Shorts removes dislike button as platform shifts to hearts and menu-based feedback
The change, rolled out in July 2026, removes a visible negative signal from the interface and redirects creators toward watch time and swipe-away rates as their primary performance metrics.
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July 27, 2026
•5 min read
YouTube finally lets creators upload custom Shorts thumbnails
After years of requests, YouTube Partner Program creators can now fully customise Shorts thumbnails, bringing the format in line with long-form videos and rival platforms. Plus, AI-generated thumbnails land in Ask Studio.
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July 18, 2026
•5 min read
YouTube Shorts ditches thumbs down for hearts: what the feedback shift means for creators
YouTube replaced binary like/dislike buttons with a heart icon and granular "Not Interested" controls in early July 2026. The change isn't cosmetic: it's a bet that clearer feedback signals will sharpen the algorithm and tell creators what dislikes never could.
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