Instagram Tests New Feature for Private Comment Disapproval
Instagram, the popular social media platform, is currently testing a new feature that allows users to privately express disapproval of comments. The feature introduces a button resembling a downward-facing arrow, positioned next to the existing like button on comments.
Unlike traditional dislike buttons, this new feature operates discreetly. When a user presses the button, it does not display a dislike count or notify others, maintaining the privacy of the action.
The primary purpose of this feature is to enhance the quality of interactions on the platform. Instagram aims to potentially use this feedback to adjust comment rankings, with less favored comments potentially appearing lower in the thread. This initiative is part of Instagram’s broader efforts to provide users with more control over their experience on the platform.
Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, emphasized the feature’s role in fostering a more positive and friendly comment environment. “We want to make Instagram the best place for people to connect with their friends and interests,” Mosseri stated.
Currently, the feature is being tested with a select group of users. Plans may include integrating this feedback into the platform’s comment ranking system, to enhance user experience by filtering out less relevant or negative comments.
Christine Pai, an Instagram spokesperson, highlighted the potential impact of the feature. “We’re exploring this as a way to give people more control over the comments they see, by allowing them to privately indicate they may find a comment inappropriate or misleading,” Pai explained.
As Instagram continues to evolve its features, this latest test represents another step in the platform’s ongoing efforts to improve user interaction and content moderation. The company will likely use insights from this testing phase to refine and potentially roll out the feature to a wider user base in the future.
