Instagram is testing a new feature that allows users to privately dislike or downvote comments, helping them express disapproval or mark irrelevant remarks.
Testing the Dislike Feature
Users recently spotted a new button next to comments on Instagram posts and Reels, prompting the company to confirm that it is experimenting with this functionality. This test aims to improve the overall experience in comment sections by allowing users to signal negative feedback on comments they find unhelpful or inappropriate.
In a post on Threads, Instagram head Adam Mosseri explained that the dislike count will remain hidden, meaning no one—including the comment’s author—will know if their comment has been downvoted. He also noted that these dislikes may eventually influence comment rankings.
“Some of you may have noticed that we’re testing a new button next to comments on Instagram. This provides a private way for users to signal their dissatisfaction with a comment. I want to be clear: this is only a test, and there is no public dislike count. No one will know if you tap the button. Over time, we may use this signal to adjust comment rankings and push disliked comments lower in the thread. Our goal is to create a more positive comment environment on Instagram,” Mosseri stated.
Meta’s Approach to Moderation
Last month, app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi first shared insights into Instagram’s testing of this feature. Now, the company has officially acknowledged its efforts to enhance comment moderation.
A Meta spokesperson emphasized that this test is part of a broader initiative to give users greater control over their Instagram experience.
“We’re constantly working on new ways to help people curate what they see on Instagram,” the spokesperson said. “We’re testing a new button next to comments on Feed posts and Reels that allows users to privately indicate that a comment feels negative or irrelevant. This initial test is limited to a small group of users, but we may later experiment with pushing disliked comments further down in the thread to improve the experience.”
How Instagram’s Dislike Feature Compares to Other Platforms
Other social media platforms, such as Reddit, have long used downvote mechanisms to rank comments, with upvotes and downvotes directly influencing visibility. While Instagram’s approach seems similar, it remains unclear how much weight these dislikes will carry compared to Reddit’s system.
