Dislike but say it in a whisper
Have you recently noticed a button resembling a dislike icon next to comments on Instagram? If so, consider yourself part of an exclusive test group. Instagram is experimenting with a new feature that allows users to downrank comments they find unhelpful, negative, or simply disagreeable. While this might seem similar to the downvote options on YouTube or Reddit, there’s a key difference—Instagram’s version is entirely private.
How Does the Downvote Feature Work?
The new downvote button serves as a way for users to signal disapproval of a comment without publicly displaying it. Instagram head Adam Mosseri recently addressed the test in a post on Threads, explaining that the button gives users a private way to express that a particular comment doesn’t sit well with them.
Unlike Reddit or YouTube, where downvoted comments may become hidden or display a tally of negative feedback, Instagram’s approach is different. There will be no visible downvote count, and no one—not even the comment author—will know if their comment has been downvoted. Mosseri further clarified that, if implemented, this feature might help improve comment ranking, pushing unhelpful or offensive comments lower in the thread.
Why is Instagram Testing This Feature?
Instagram has long been focused on creating a more positive and engaging user experience. The introduction of private downvotes is likely aimed at reducing negativity in comment sections and promoting healthier conversations. While public dislike counts can sometimes encourage pile-ons or reinforce negativity, private downvotes provide Instagram with valuable feedback without causing unnecessary drama.
Mosseri emphasized that this is still an experimental feature, meaning there’s no guarantee it will be rolled out widely. “I want to be clear: this is a test,” he stated. “There is no dislike count, nor will anyone know if you tap the button. Eventually, we may integrate this signal into comment ranking to move disliked comments lower down. Our hope is that this might help make comments more friendly on Instagram.”
A Step Towards Safer Social Media?
This isn’t the first time Meta (Instagram’s parent company) has played around with downvote features. Facebook previously tested a similar option in 2018, but it never became a mainstream feature. Given Instagram’s ongoing efforts to balance user engagement with safety, this test suggests the platform is looking for ways to curb toxicity while maintaining user freedom.
That said, rolling out a downvote button—even a private one—could have ripple effects. Some critics argue that any form of downvoting might still be used for mass downranking or bullying, even if it’s not visible to others. Others see it as a useful tool to prevent harmful or spammy comments from dominating discussions.
What’s Next?
As with many Meta experiments, there’s no certainty that this feature will ever make it to a full-scale release. If Instagram finds that private downvotes effectively improve conversations and reduce toxicity, we might see it integrated permanently. If not, it may quietly disappear like many other test features before it.
For now, if you’re one of the lucky few who have access to the test, use it wisely. Who knows? Your private downvotes might just help shape the future of Instagram’s comment sections—one tap at a time.
