Instagram is testing a new functionality that allows users to indicate they don’t like a comment on feed and Reels posts. The objective of this tool is to offer a discreet way to point out that a comment has not been well received or is not relevant. Essentially, it’s a way to downvote a comment without publicly acknowledging it.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, confirmed the test in a Threads post. According to him, the number of “I don’t like” interactions will not be visible to anyone, and the identity of users who use the button will remain private. However, in the future, the platform could use this information to reorganize comments, placing the most criticized ones in lower positions. As Mosseri explained, “I want to make it clear that this is just a test. There will be no account of ‘I don’t like’, nor will anyone know if you have pressed the button. In the future, we could integrate this signal in the classification of the comments to make the interactions on Instagram healthier.”
How the Test Was Discovered
The functionality was initially detected by applications specialist Alessandro Paluzzi, who shared images of the test last month. Now, Instagram has officially confirmed that this option is being evaluated with a small group of users. A company spokesman stated, “We are working to give people more control over their experience on Instagram. This new option will allow users to indicate, privately, comments that they consider inappropriate or irrelevant. If the test is successful, we could prove the possibility of lowering these comments in the answers section.”
Similarities to Other Platforms
Although this function resembles the Reddit voting system, where comments are organized according to positive and negative votes, Instagram is not yet using this metric. The novelty is part of the platform’s continuous efforts to create a more cozy and positive environment for users. By introducing this feature, Instagram aims to provide a more refined and user-friendly experience, allowing users to curate their interactions and filter out unwanted comments.