Instagram Experiments with a Downvote Button

Instagram is once again playing around with a dislike button—well, sort of. Meta has started testing a downvote feature for comments, hoping it will help filter out overly negative or harmful remarks. The idea? Give users a way to flag problematic comments without making it a public show.


Some Instagram users are now seeing a small downvote arrow next to comments, allowing them to signal when they don't like what's being said. But don't expect to see a dislike counter; the feature is entirely private. No one will know if you tap it, and the comment's author won't get any notifications. According to Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, this could eventually influence how comments are ranked, pushing the most downvoted ones further down the thread.

This isn't Meta's first attempt at introducing downvotes. Back in 2018, Facebook experimented with a similar feature to tackle negative replies. Two years later, they tried it again in Facebook groups. Neither test led to a permanent addition, but the company is still eager to explore new ways to improve interactions on its platforms.

So why now? Mosseri says feedback—especially from content creators—suggests that comment sections can turn into hostile spaces. This test aims to address that. By giving users a subtle, anonymous way to flag unkind comments, Instagram hopes to create a more positive environment.

Of course, there's always a risk of misuse. A downvote button could be weaponized, letting users suppress comments they simply don't agree with. But in theory, if used correctly, this system could help Instagram refine its algorithms to prioritize more constructive conversations.

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