While Instagram has yet to confirm when or if the dislike button will become a permanent feature, the test is seen as a step toward giving users more tools to curate their online experience
Instagram has begun testing a new feature that introduces a “dislike” button next to comments, aimed at offering users a private way to signal disapproval without publicly engaging in negativity. CEO Adam Mosseri revealed the trial phase on the social platform Threads, explaining that this feature would give users more control over their experience without increasing public confrontation.
“Some of you may have seen that we’re testing a new button next to comments on Instagram – this gives people a private way to signal that they don’t feel good about that particular comment,” Mosseri wrote. He emphasized that there will be no visible dislike count, and the action would remain private, meaning users would not be notified if their comment received a dislike.
The move comes as part of Instagram’s ongoing effort to combat trolling and improve the quality of interactions on the platform. Mosseri suggested that the new feature might eventually be integrated into Instagram’s comment ranking system, potentially lowering the visibility of comments that receive a high number of dislikes.
“Our hope is that this might help make comments more friendly on Instagram,” Mosseri said, hinting that the feature’s long-term goal is to foster a healthier and more respectful online environment. By making disliked comments less prominent, Instagram aims to reduce the impact of harmful or toxic remarks, which have been a growing concern on social media platforms in recent years.
While Instagram has yet to confirm when or if the dislike button will become a permanent feature, the test is seen as a step toward giving users more tools to curate their online experience. This new addition follows similar changes by other social media platforms aimed at improving comment moderation and reducing online harassment. For now, Instagram users can look out for the dislike button as part of the ongoing trial and provide feedback on its effectiveness.
