Instagram starts testing new button that might downrank comments

Instagram is beginning to test a button that “gives people a private way to signal that they don’t feel good about that particular comment,” Instagram boss Adam Mosseri says in a post on Threads. The button, based on a screenshot from a Threads user, is a downward-facing arrow next to the like button in comments.

If you see the button and press it, however, people won’t know that you did so, and there won’t be a dislike count shown, according to Mosseri. However, “eventually, we may integrate this signal into comments ranking to move disliked comments lower down,” Mosseri says. “Our hope is that this might help make comments more friendly on Instagram.”

”We’re working on ways to help people better control their Instagram experience and what they’re seeing on the app,” Instagram spokesperson Christine Pai says in a statement. “We’re testing a new button next to each comment on a Reel or Feed post for people to privately signal they don’t feel good about that particular comment or find it relevant, with a small group of people to start. Later, we may also test moving these comments lower down in the comments section to help create a better experience.”