No, Facebook is not adding a Dislike button, but they are adding more options

Lots of hype today about the news that Facebook is adding a “Dislike” button to posts on the global social network, but what’s really happening?

I get the hype and excitement, the Like button simply doesn’t cut it as the best response to a post in many cases.  People have always wanted something more.

The headlines today however would have you believe that Mark Zuckerberg announced a Dislike button.  He did not.

Now, we haven’t seen what they are planning, yet – but read a little deeper into what Mr Zuckerberg said in answer to a public question at a Town Hall Q& A Event and I think it’s pretty clear.

“We didn’t want to just build a dislike button, because we don’t want to turn Facebook into a forum where people are voting up and down on people’s posts”

Ok, that’s pretty clear on its own, however, he goes on:

“What they really want is to be able to express empathy….  not every moment is a good moment…. if you are sharing something that is sad, whether its something in current events like the refugee crisis that touches you, or if a family member passed away – it may not feel comfortable to like that post, but your friends and people want to be able to express that they understand and relate to you.”

That’s the money shot right there.  That shows us where they are going.

For what it’s worth, I think the answer can be found through their modifications over time to the “status update”.  Feelings.  These are Emotions, Zuckerberg said people wanted to “emote”.

So, I think, while not exactly like this, I think those simple little emojis might just be the key to expressing your emotions on a post.  How many options they allow we’ll have to see.  How they present it to users – we’ll have to see.  But I think it’s a fair indication of how it could work.

Don’t hold your breath though, “It’s surprisingly complicated, we have an idea we think will be ready to test soon” – as for when we all get it, could be a while:)