Facebook Is Testing A Downvote System For Flagging Comments

February 9, 2018

Facebook is currently testing a feature that allows users to “downvote” comments. In a statement to TechCrunch, Facebook said that the downvote button is being offered in a limited number of public Page post comments and can be seen by a small set of people in the U.S. only. The downvote test is currently running for only 5% of Android users with English set as the default language. And it will not appear in Groups posts or the Pages of public figures.

Facebook said that the reason for the downvote button is to make it easier for users to provide a signal that a comment is “inappropriate, uncivil, or misleading.” And Facebook pointed out that this is not a “dislike” button. This is simply a measure for collecting responses and feedback for comments on public Pages.

Christina Hudler of Hudler Social posted screenshots of the downvote feature on Twitter:

I now have #FacebookDownvote on sponsored posts in my feed! #smm #socialmediamarketing #socialmedia #digitalmarketing pic.twitter.com/BKZyS25ZEZ

— Christina Hudler (@hudlersocial) 8 Φεβρουαρίου 2018

Here’s what I see on my end if I click downvote, but since I don’t know anyone else with the feature I don’t know what it might look on their end. #FacebookDownvote pic.twitter.com/YIxI5xgXeU

— Christina Hudler (@hudlersocial) 8 Φεβρουαρίου 2018

After tapping on the downvote feature, users are asked whether the comment is “Offensive,” “Misleading” or “Off Topic.” The downvote test is short-term and will not affect the ranking of the comment, the post or the Page. The feature does not publicly display how many downvotes a post received as it is just a way for Facebook to internally collect feedback.

Facebook already offers a “Hide” button in its comments system for every user already, but it is not as intuitive as the downvote button. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in the past that the company does not intend on adding a system where people can vote up or down on posts. So the company launched a set of emoji called “Reactions” in February 2016 instead. The set of emoji Reactions characters include Love, Wow, Haha, Sad and Angry.

Back in December, Facebook also announced it was implementing two changes to fight against fake news. The company said it would no longer use “Disputed Flags” for identifying fake news. Related Articles will be displayed as an alternative in order to give people more context. And Facebook said it was starting a new initiative to better understand how people decide if information is accurate or not based on the news sources they follow. The reason why Facebook removed the “Disputed Flags” is because of academic research on correcting misinformation cited strong imagery, such as red flags, actually entrenches deeply held beliefs — which is the opposite effect that is intended. By studying the feedback received from downvotes, Facebook would be able to better understand what sort of content resonates with its users as it combats fake news.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send me a tweet at @amitchowdhry or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Source: forbes.com

Written by: New Generation Radio

facebook