Instagram’s New Dislike Button: Will It Help or Hurt?
Instagram is currently testing a dislike button that users have spotted. Instagram CEO Mosseri has responded, providing some clarity on what the feature is all about. Similar to YouTube and Reddit, you might soon be able to downvote comments. Let’s see what we know so far.
Instagram Dislike Button: Still Being Tested
The feature is currently being tested, rolled out only to a small group of users. As users began noticing the downvote button appearing in comment sections, Instagram CEO Mosseri clarified on Threads that it is just a test. He highlighted two key points about the dislike button:
- You won’t see a dislike count next to comments.
- Your downvote won’t be publicly visible.
Instead, Instagram will use your downvote as a “signal” to push negatively rated comments down.
View on Threads
Content Moderation: A Controversy
Content moderation has always sparked debate. Instagram’s new dislike button for comments is no exception, triggering mixed reactions. Some users see it as a helpful way to manage harmful content and cyberbullying—something Instagram’s head described as a way “to help make comments more friendly on Instagram”, while others worry it might increase platform control and limit freedom of expression.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can see the dislikes?
Only the commenter and Instagram moderators will be able to see the number of dislikes.
What’s behind this move?
Instagram’s dislike button may be inspired by platforms like YouTube and Reddit, both of which have similar up-and-down voting systems.
When will it be fully rolled out?
Instagram has not announced an official release date for the dislike button for comments, so you’ll have to wait a bit longer if you’re eager to start downvoting.
What were the first reactions?
Reactions to the new feature have been mixed. Some users see it as a way to reduce negativity and encourage healthier conversations, while others fear it could give Instagram more control over the platform. Instagram’s official stance is that the goal of the dislike button is to foster healthier interactions by downvoting harmful or offensive comments.
Dislikes on Other Platforms
YouTube has had a dislike button for comments since 2021, but the dislike count is hidden from the public. Reddit, on the other hand, displays like and dislike counts openly as one number.
In Metricool’s recent study, which analyzed social media trends from 2023 to 2024, there’s an interesting insight on dislikes. While overall engagement and interactions had decreased on YouTube, dislikes increased by 11.19%, showing a notable rise in the dislike count for videos—though not for comments.
This raises questions: Will Instagram’s dislike button for comments lead to similar trends? Time will tell, but it seems clear that user feedback and moderation will play a big role in how this feature evolves.
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