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Instagram Tests New Dislike Button for Comments
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Dislike buttons create peer pressure and negative sentiment. If they are to exist how they should work is like a spam function, where those comments are pushed to the bottom if they receive enough dislikes in comparison to likes, but, and here's the key, no user should be able to tell by looking at a comment if it was already disliked by anyone else. This ensures each dislikes is personal and not merely a programmatic reaction from others having hit that button, ala Reddit group-think.
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Instagram is quite possibly the most brain-damaged app I have ever used, especially on the iOS/iPadOS platforms.
I can be hundreds of screens deep in doomscrolling through my last 3 days' worth of posts, and if I even look at my iPad wrong, or nudge it, or press on a link inside IG that takes you out of the app (or accidentally touch anything outside of the app that takes the focus away from it), IG *resets the timeline* to the top/latest posts, completely losing your place in the timeline.
There's even a new variant, if I post a comment on an IG post/reel/etc., when I hit Send I am reset to the most recent comment, which is just wonderful if I was hundreds of comments in.
And those are just the most egregious UI issues with this cluster-you-know-what of an app. But sure, by all means, concentrate on implementng a downvote/dislike button ...
I can be hundreds of screens deep in doomscrolling through my last 3 days' worth of posts, and if I even look at my iPad wrong, or nudge it, or press on a link inside IG that takes you out of the app (or accidentally touch anything outside of the app that takes the focus away from it), IG *resets the timeline* to the top/latest posts, completely losing your place in the timeline.
There's even a new variant, if I post a comment on an IG post/reel/etc., when I hit Send I am reset to the most recent comment, which is just wonderful if I was hundreds of comments in.
And those are just the most egregious UI issues with this cluster-you-know-what of an app. But sure, by all means, concentrate on implementng a downvote/dislike button ...
I disagree. Your example could be used as a method of suppressing the truth. Suppose I entered a hacking forum and posted "People should value and respect each other and not break into someone else's computer". What do you think is going to be the ratio of dislikes to likes on my comment in that kind of forum? Anyone who has an agenda is going to attempt to suppress the opposing view regardless of its truthfulness.
I do, however, totally agree with your first statement; "Dislike buttons create peer pressure and negative sentiment".. which is why I feel dislike buttons should be avoided altogether.
Sounds like you’d be well served by taking a long break from Instagram. Or, if you’re over the age of 30 perhaps considering deleting your account. Crazy to me how many adults engage with social media this way, or at all.Instagram is quite possibly the most brain-damaged app I have ever used, especially on the iOS/iPadOS platforms.
I can be hundreds of screens deep in doomscrolling through my last 3 days' worth of posts, and if I even look at my iPad wrong, or nudge it, or press on a link inside IG that takes you out of the app (or accidentally touch anything outside of the app that takes the focus away from it), IG *resets the timeline* to the top/latest posts, completely losing your place in the timeline.
There's even a new variant, if I post a comment on an IG post/reel/etc., when I hit Send I am reset to the most recent comment, which is just wonderful if I was hundreds of comments in.
And those are just the most egregious UI issues with this cluster-you-know-what of an app. But sure, by all means, concentrate on implementng a downvote/dislike button ...
I have no idea what you mean by "this way", but I don't think there's an age limit on expecting a reasonably consistent UI from an app, or at least one that doesn't do ridiculous things like I described. It's the only Social Media account I have anyways, I have MacRumors to fill up the rest of my spare time
Agreed. I find Reddit to be one of the worst echo chambers on the internet as a result.
Call me paranoid, but without publicly showing names of down voters or even the number of down votes, it’s a complete black box as to how comment visibility will be determined. Who knows if powers that be will be using AI to suss out certain comments leaning a certain way and show/bury them, allowing the public assume it was a result of popular opinion.
The dislike button is still there... You just don't see the total number of dislikes without using a third party solution...
Like/dislike buttons are actually the most insufficient communication tool on the web. Pretty much every time the context of whatever is communicated in the article is so complex, you can’t just cramp a persons perspective into a yes/no or good/bad response.
Just as an example, check the news pages and perhaps some catastrophic events or accident on SocialMedia. You are going to find thousands of likes for an event where even maybe human beings lost their lives. That’s absolutely insane.
Same goes for community platforms. This is very comment can only be liked or disliked as a first response. The avid reader will probably respond, but the majority will scroll on in order to consume other content without really thinking about it or without taking the time to articulate a point of view and to engage in a meaningful discussion where one can actually learn something.
Like/dislike features as we can find it today in social media app sare simply not sufficient enough in order to provide the basis for a meaningful discussion. Life is way more complex than that. Or maybe it is really just good or bad, black and white?
Just as an example, check the news pages and perhaps some catastrophic events or accident on SocialMedia. You are going to find thousands of likes for an event where even maybe human beings lost their lives. That’s absolutely insane.
Same goes for community platforms. This is very comment can only be liked or disliked as a first response. The avid reader will probably respond, but the majority will scroll on in order to consume other content without really thinking about it or without taking the time to articulate a point of view and to engage in a meaningful discussion where one can actually learn something.
Like/dislike features as we can find it today in social media app sare simply not sufficient enough in order to provide the basis for a meaningful discussion. Life is way more complex than that. Or maybe it is really just good or bad, black and white?
Well, we have a contestant for 'Most Snowflake Statement of 2025.'
So, cancel culture-lite?
I'd argue that contrary (rather than Dislike your post, which is an example to support my point). People have a voice, but to disagree they need to post and ideally articulate what part of your post they disagree with, and maybe even 'bat it outta the park' by explaining why!
It's ridiculous to find a logically reasoned articulate multi-point argument post that someone else has hit 'Disagree' on without following up with a reply. What point or points did you disagree with? Why? If you think the poster posted something false, how about sharing what you think the truth is?
Some posts make one clear assertion about a subjective point (like 'Windows is better than MacOS!), and it may make sense.
MacRumors isn't all that bad about this; the forums on PCMag.com are really bad in my experience (if the post asserted a view that might impact political positions).
The idea is to move your comment down this ranking so fewer people see it. It shows you're not one of the cool kids and people shouldn't listen to you.
What they're talking about sounds like it'd do the opposite - invisibly act to move controversial views down the list so fewer people see it.
A simpler way to approach social media is just stick to what it was originally designed for, connecting and staying connected with people you know. Not for news, or celebrity worship.. see what your friends and relatives are up to.
That's my approach anyway, I don't follow or view any social media that isn't posted by someone I personally know.
Cancel-culture predates the internet and has been around as long as society has existed. It's just a "cute" name that annoying people came up to make it sound like it's a recent thing.
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That is exactly my point. Everyone on social media has a group of followers. If one person dislikes a comment they can engage their followers to also dislike the comment - few people are going to refuse such a request for fear of being disliked, ignored or unfriended. "Oh, I can't live with someone disliking me, putting me on ignore, or unfriending me". Humanity would benefit from eradicating this silly nonsense.
And, who gets to decide which posts are controversial? Who pressed the dislike button? Are these law-abiding citizens with a university degree in the relevant field? Or are they the type of person who would steal everything you have the moment your back is turned? We simply do not know. And therein lies the problem; why are we placing any value at all in the opinion of a total stranger?
Two issues:
My issue with a binary "dislike" button is that it's open to interpretation. It can mean: I dislike the author's style. I dislike the author in general. I dislike the subject. I disagree with the principle/idea being described (but it's still important I know about it as it could constitute a threat). And so on. Add your own interpretation here.
The issue with an algorithm only showing me things I'll like is that I end up in my bubble of one - and so does everyone else. Insularity is comfortable in the near term, but it's not healthy.
My issue with a binary "dislike" button is that it's open to interpretation. It can mean: I dislike the author's style. I dislike the author in general. I dislike the subject. I disagree with the principle/idea being described (but it's still important I know about it as it could constitute a threat). And so on. Add your own interpretation here.
The issue with an algorithm only showing me things I'll like is that I end up in my bubble of one - and so does everyone else. Insularity is comfortable in the near term, but it's not healthy.
Engaging in comments and likes/dislikes can be such a time-wasting distraction from the idea at hand.
For example, I gave up pretty-much all online news websites when I found out my local public library offered free access to Pressreader - even when I'm at home. I can now read newspapers in their original printed layout on my iPad.
They're all respected premium publications, US and international, with excellent journalists. I feel I'm using my time better now - and I'm better informed - without any temptation to waste time on the manufactured drama of an internet comments section.
It's as transformative as the first time I put on noise-cancelling headphones in a noisy airport. Better actually.
Good. People need to learn that others have different opinions and that it’s ok to disagree, and furthermore, if you can’t handle that fact of reality/humanity, the problem is you, not everyone else.
People are sick and tired of walking on eggshells and living in echo chambers that leave them unable to socialize with others.
People are sick and tired of walking on eggshells and living in echo chambers that leave them unable to socialize with others.
Clicking the dislike button should require the user to create a comment why they dislike the post or comment in which the comment will be seen by everyone. If they do not comment their reasoning or explain their side then the number of dislike will not increase. Also, the number of likes and dislikes should be visible to everyone without having to rely on third party solution.
While I agree with your message of "others have different opinions", it's little more complex here, as these "buttons" are used to elevate/suppress content ... which is very reality distorting
Including here!
I have a couple "fans" who do nothing but "dislike" or "angry face" just about every post I ever make ... yet they basically never say a single word
It's so weird and a bit creepy honestly
That is an excellent idea!
Also, any site that hides the number of dislikes, this is a clear cut case of sacrificing truth on the altar of false peace.