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Facebook is finally making a dislike button

People have been asking for it—and finally after years of refusing to build one—Facebook is going to give us a way to express dislike something.

Facebook has long shied away from building a dislike button over concerns it would invite rampant negativity. And, according to Zuckerberg, that isn’t what Facebook’s trying to build. Yet, Facebook has apparently had a change of heart and it’s going to head into testing soon.

Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook making a dislike button

What [users] really want is the ability to express empathy. Not every moment is a good moment,” said CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Although the exact form the dislike button will take is still up in the air, there’s a natural impulse to want to see it next to Facebook’s Like button.

So, whatever it winds up being called, this new button could provide a counterbalance to either liking a post or having to comment. The new button will make it easier for users to signal interest in a post or story that would be awkward to a Like.

Updated

Facebook has boiled down to humanity to six emotions. After testing in a few countries, Facebook is now rolling out its augmented Like button Reactions to all users.

Facebook writes “if someone uses a Reaction, we will infer they want to see more of that type of post. In the beginning, it won’t matter if someone likes, “wows” or “sads” a post. Over time we hope to learn how the different Reactions should be weighted differently by News Feed to do a better job of showing everyone the stories they most want to see.”

Like Button
Facebook has designed Reactions so Liking is still as easy ever. You’ll see the Like button on every post, but now if you tap and hold on it (or hover on desktop), the Like will expand to reveal the other emotions.

Love
For when you really like something, you can now love it.

Wow
By adding Reactions, Facebook will now have a much more accurate perception of what we feel and what kind of posts resonate with each of us. It could eventually use that knowledge to better filter the News Feed to show more things that Wow us. Eventually, if you enjoy getting your blood pumping, it could show you more posts that stir up Angry reactions. Or if you’re addicted to cute cats, it could surface more Loveable pet photos.

Haha
Instead of commenting “Lol” on so many posts, Facebook thought there could be a simpler way.

Sad
Sometimes when a friend shares a post about a tragedy or something that annoys them, it doesn’t feel right to Like it, and commenting can be awkward, but you still want to express empathy.

Angry
There’s still no dislike button, and that’s sure to piss some people off. So use the angry Reaction to express yourself.


Source: http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/15/9333335/facebook-dislike-button-being-made-nearing-tests
Image: David Ramos/Getty Images