Facebook to finally get alternative to ‘Like’ button

For example, if your friends are oversharing pictures of their new baby, maybe a “Your baby is not as cute as you seem to think it is” button would be more fitting.

Earlier this week, Zuckerberg said he’s heard the requests for a “Dislike” button and something is in the works.

And even Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is cautioning people on how to use it.

Zuckerberg said he’s been reluctant for quite some time to add the dislike button as it opposed Facebook’s positive environment.

The “Dislike” button will make it easier for Facebook users to show interest in a post or story that would be awkward to “Like”, Time reported. While we’re all for expressing a range of emotions online, it still seems important that users pause and think before they write something, instead of quickly clicking to a conclusion. However, he explained that the company won’t have a “Dislike” button because they “don’t think that’s socially very valuable, or great for the community”.

“We don’t want to turn Facebook into a forum where people are voting up or down on people’s posts”, he added. But Zuckerberg is making it clear that the dislike button will be there only to show empathy. When users get on the page, Facebook’s algorithm starts its engine, and gives you the most interesting information based on your friends and brands you’ve hit like on.

And with good reason: Unlike reddit, Facebook’s feed is the product of a sophisticated algorithm, which means it would need to be taught how to handle the new button. Having the ability to vote down the thoughts and uploaded memories of others would chip away at the Like-friendly environment that Facebook has build over the years.

Describing the project as “surprisingly complicated”, Zuckerberg confirmed that testing of the new interactions would begin soon.

Zuckerberg understands all the concerns and hopes to test the new button and be able to refine it with the help of its users’ feedback before it is going to finally roll out. However, it probably won’t be called a “Dislike” button.