The estimated reading time for this post is 4 minutes
The way you use Facebook is about to change — dramatically.
If you’ve been longing for a Dislike button, well, you don’t have that yet. You have something that may be even better than a Dislike button: Reactions.
Facebook Reactions are animated emojis that give you choices for reacting to a post, photo or video. Previously your only choice was to Like or not to Like. Now, you can choose from six different reactions:
- Like
- Love
- Haha
- Wow
- Sad
- Angry
You can express your reaction to a post more precisely instead of only having an up vote. ๐
The new Reactions feature is available immediately around the world.
Facebook has been developing this update for over a year. When Reactions was announced yesterday, the company said, “For more than a year we have been conducting global research including focus groups and surveys to determine what types of reactions people would want to use most. We also looked at how people are already commenting on posts and the top stickers and emoticons as signals for the types of reactions people are already using to determine which reactions to offer. We have been testing Reactions in a few markets since last year, and have received positive feedback so far.”
[tip] Vote in the poll below to share your opinion on Facebook Reactions and see how others voted. [/tip]
How to Use Reactions
Reactions are available both on the Facebook website and on the app. How you use Reactions is different, depending on which you’re using.
You can only add Reactions to posts, photos and videos, you can’t add them to comments (for now).
Facebook Website
To use Reactions from the Facebook website, hover your cursor over the like button. You’ll see all of the Reaction emojis appear.
Click the Reaction you want to use. Other people who view the post will be able to see your Reaction.
If you change your mind, go back to the post, hover your cursor over your Reaction and the other choices will appear. Click the one you want to use and the previous Reaction will be replaced.
Facebook App
Reactions are also available on the Facebook app worldwide. Open the Facebook app and find a post you want to add a Reaction to.
Tap on the Like icon. The first time you use the app after Reactions have been enabled, you may see this notice:
When you tap Like, you’ll see the Reaction emojis appear. Tap the one you want to use to post it on Facebook.
This video shows you how to use Reactions in the Facebook app:
[note] if you don’t see Reactions in the Facebook app, close out of the app and reopen it. Reactions should then appear. [/note]
Viewing Others’ Reactions
Now when you see posts, photos and videos you’ll see the top three Reactions people have added.
Tap or click on the Reactions to see a count of how many Reactions were given and who gave which Reaction.
Looking Ahead
Using reactions may require a bit more thought than deciding whether to Like something. You may need to consider the implications of your Reaction to make sure you’re sending the right message.
Reactions can be more appropriate than the Like button when people post bad news. You can acknowledge the sorrow without seeming to “like” the negative experience.
You can go beyond Like and add a โฅ to show your love. Express a shared passion, show a deep camaraderie, and share your devotion. Will romantic relationships blossom over shared Love?
Expect hurt feelings. Some people are bound to expect more Loves than Likes for certain events, or may react negatively to Angry or Sad Reactions.
As the choice of Reactions coincides with the US Presidential Election, expect lots of Reactions to political posts. Before, if someone posted about a political candidate your only option was to Like it, or not. Now you can express yourself more precisely on political posts.
If someone posts that they’re angry, you may not know whether they’re angry at you for your post, or angry at the subject of the post. For example, if you post an article mocking a political candidate for making a statement, and a friend posts Angry, does that mean the friend is angry at you for mocking the candidate or angry at the candidate for making that statement?
What about Wow? Does that mean Wow, as in “Wow, I can’t believe you really posted this 25th cat video within an hour!” or “Wow, I can’t believe your cat really can dance to Uptown Funk!”
Mistakes will happen. Maybe you meant to add a Love but you added Sad instead. Let’s hope you realize your error before feelings are hurt.
Unfriendings may occur. Now that people on Facebook are freer to express how they really feel, we are bound to be judged more harshly. Before you take offense, you may want to find out exactly what your friend meant when she posted Angry about your post about your winning the Nobel Peace Prize…
Poll
What’s your reaction to Facebook Reactions? Vote in the poll to share your opinion:
Your Thoughts
Are you excited about Facebook Reactions? Will you be using more than the Like button on Facebook? Would you be offended by someone posting a Reaction to your post? Are you still wishing for a Dislike button?
Discuss your thoughts in the Comments section below!
* Clouds image used with permission of Michael Z Photography
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Harleena Singh says
Hi Carolyn,
Awesome indeed ๐
Yes, I read this news earlier today, but it’s not started on my Facebook as yet, so I am patiently waiting for it. I think it would be exciting to try out these reactions, and if someone is still hesitant, the good old like is always there.
However, I wonder those who have FB likes on their blog posts, may face less shares as now there is such a variety to choose from – just my thoughts, not that it really matters, but to some it may. Not having the dislike button is alright, as they have given the other options, though I don’t think one would need to even use the angry one, but never know.
Thanks for sharing the latest with us. Off to share it, and enjoy your weekend, while I keep a look out for my FB reactions ๐
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Harleena, You should have Reactions now, if not then very soon. Unlike most Facebook updates, this one was rolled out at once around the world.
Good point, I don’t know whether this will increase or decrease sharing on Facebook. I think Reactions are fun and I like seeing others’ Reactions as well. I’m curious to see the results of The Wonder of Tech poll to learn what people think about this massive update.
Thanks so much for sharing and for your wonderful comment, Harleena!
Thomas says
Hi Carolyn
I think overall it is a good idea. If someone shares something sad it does not feel right to give it a like. I just hope all the angry people out there can control themselves on Facebook and not just be angry on the entire world ๐
Nishadha says
My gut feeling is this will reduce the number of interactions in a post. When its just the like button people don’t have to think too much. If they like it they press the button and if they don’t like it they move on. The reaction makes you stop and think of what to do. Although we might see some high engagement initially because of the novelty I think in the long run it will reduce engagement.
Jupiter Jim says
Carolyn,
Timely post. The 30-second video does NOT teach you how to use the ‘Facebook Reactions’, it only shows what they look like, despite the title above it.
Nevertheless, love the post and love the survey, cause I’m wondering what everyone else thinks. There are commenting systems that allow you a simple ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ regarding someone’s comment. They should really institute that or a ‘dislike’ button on FB.
Like you said, if I click “I’m angry” reaction, does that mean I am angry at the post or angry at the Faceboook user who posted or shared the post? Not good.
Overall, not sure how I feel. It was so much easier just to click LIKE in the past. On the other hand, if someone is sharing SAD news, you don’t want to click LIKE, as you said.
Keep up the great work!!!
~ Jupiter Jim
Ikechi says
Hi Carolyn
As it is finally out.
I do believe that the reactions on Facebook would be better than just likes or dislikes.
There are some posts I had to avoid because there was no way I could express my feelings. So now that reactions are available, Facebook will be so interesting.
Also, there will be more issues because people will be surprised by the reactions of others.
Thanks for sharing. Take care
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Ikechi, Great point, with more choices come more opportunities both for expression and confusion. We need to be especially mindful in the early days of Reactions to be sure our Reactions truly reflect our feelings.
If you are offended by someone’s Reaction to one of your posts, do try to reach out to clarify. No need for hurt feelings over a misunderstanding!
Siegfried Silverman says
Hi Carolyn,
I saw it on facebook but not had read much about it. But in your post you mention all things about it. Getting lots of information from your post. Thanks for sharing it and yes definitly try it on my Facebook account.