Beyond 'Like': 6 ways you might soon emote on Facebook

Published October 9, 2015
This combination of images provided by Facebook shows a sample post featuring the social network's Reactions buttons. —AP
This combination of images provided by Facebook shows a sample post featuring the social network's Reactions buttons. —AP
This image provided by Facebook shows its newly introduced "Reactions" buttons. From left: like, love, haha, yay, wow, sad, and angry. —AP
This image provided by Facebook shows its newly introduced "Reactions" buttons. From left: like, love, haha, yay, wow, sad, and angry. —AP

NEW YORK: Sometimes “Like” just doesn't cut it. So how about Love or Angry? Haha or Sad? Or just Yay or Wow?

Facebook is going “Inside Out” on the Like button, adding a range of new emotional reactions to the iconic thumbs-up icon it launched in 2009.

You won't see the new emoji right away unless you live in Ireland or Spain, the two locations the Menlo Park, California-based social network chose to begin testing them on Friday.

But Chris Cox, Facebook's chief product officer, says in a post that the company plans to use the feedback from the test run to make improvements, with the hope of launching the buttons globally “soon.”

Many Facebook users have been clamoring for the company to add a “Dislike” button for years, arguing that hitting the “Like” button in many instances — such as in reaction to a tragic news event — can seem a bit shallow, or even inappropriate.

At the same time, typing out a thoughtful comment on a phone isn't always easy.

Cox says the company studied Facebook comments to see what reactions were most universally expressed through Facebook and based the new buttons on that.

“As you can see, it's not a 'dislike' button, though we hope it addresses the spirit of this request more broadly,” Cox's post reads.

In order to see the buttons — which are available in the iPhone, Android and desktop versions of Facebook used in Ireland and Spain — users can either long-press or hover over the “Like” button. The buttons will then appear for users to scroll through and select.

Counters underneath a post will track how many of each reaction the post has received, similar to how likes are tracked now.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...