In a move aimed at improving the quality of conversations on its platform, Instagram has introduced a comment downvote button as part of a test to help combat negative interactions and harmful content.
The feature, which allows users to signal dissatisfaction with a comment privately, has drawn attention for its potential to shape how interactions play out in comment sections on the platform. While the intent is to create a more positive environment, concerns about misuse and unintended consequences abound.
This article explores the new feature, its purpose, the challenges it faces, and how Instagram is working to address toxicity in comments.
How the Downvote Feature Works
Instagram's comment downvote feature allows users to privately express that they find a comment negative, irrelevant, or harmful. The feature is currently being tested with a limited group of users, who can see a downvote arrow next to each comment. When clicked, this downvote does not publicly display the number of downvotes nor notify the original commenter about the interaction.
The feature is solely intended as a signal to Instagram’s algorithm, rather than an expression of public disagreement. The goal is to influence how comments are ranked on the platform, particularly for content that is deemed negative or potentially harmful.
This downvote button is not about “disliking” a comment because you disagree with it, nor is it intended to target misinformation. Rather, it’s focused on addressing toxic comments or those that may contribute to a less welcoming environment for users.
Instagram hopes this will allow users to manage the quality of conversations without enabling public shame or embarrassment.
This move represents a trend on social media platforms, with YouTube being the first to make dislikes unavailable to the public back in 2021. With that said, there are ways to circumvent this decision, most notably with specific browser extensions like ‘Return YouTube Dislike’ and others.
The Intent Behind the Test
Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, explained the rationale behind the new feature:
“It’s meant to help combat negative interactions by allowing users to signal private dissatisfaction with harmful or aggressive comments.“
In a post on Threads, Mosseri clarified that this feature was being tested to “help make comments more friendly” and to “improve the experience” on Instagram.
The aim is not to censor users but to adjust the ranking of comments by using downvotes to reduce the prominence of harmful remarks in the comment sections of posts, Reels, and other content.
As Mosseri pointed out, creators, in particular, had raised concerns about the increasingly toxic and hostile tone in comment sections. By implementing this feature, Instagram hopes to downgrade the visibility of negative or hurtful comments, without punishing users who may express differing opinions.
The feature's implementation echoes Instagram's long-standing efforts to improve its social ecosystem, attempting to find ways to address harmful comments while keeping the platform inclusive and engaging.
Instagram's test marks a step forward in allowing users to help curate their environment without imposing too much control over individual content creation.
Similar Initiatives and Previous Tests
Instagram is not the first Meta platform to experiment with downvotes. In 2018, Meta introduced a similar feature on Facebook, allowing users to downvote comments, though it was quickly discarded after a limited rollout.
Despite Meta’s apparent interest in exploring downvotes as a way to moderate comments, the feature failed to gain traction due to a mix of misuse and lack of transparency.
Similarly, Meta’s efforts to control toxicity in Facebook groups through downvotes in 2020 didn’t last long. These early attempts to create mechanisms for flagging inappropriate content showed that there are significant limitations to automated moderation and crowd-sourced voting systems.
Another notable shift in Meta's approach to content moderation is its recent move from third-party fact-checkers to a Community Notes-style system, similar to what we see on X (formerly Twitter).
Woah. 😲
Zuck going full anti-censorship, following Elon and X's lead 😤
Based Zuck arc and vibe shift complete ✅🔥 pic.twitter.com/bsC7LrYL0n
— Beff – e/acc (@BasedBeffJezos) January 7, 2025
This new system allows users to contribute directly to content moderation by adding context or notes to posts, aiming to ensure that all content is more transparent and accurate. However, like the downvote button, the Community Notes system has faced scrutiny for potential misuse, with some critics arguing that it can be leveraged to push specific political or ideological narratives.
Instagram’s downvote test seems to be a more cautious approach, at least in terms of its public visibility. Since the test is being rolled out to a small, select group of users, Instagram can use the feedback from this test to shape the platform’s next steps in either refining the feature or exploring alternative solutions to tackle negativity in comment sections.
Instagram’s downvote test also draws comparisons to Reddit's Karma system, where downvotes and upvotes contribute to the overall ranking of comments and posts.
Petition to change the upvotes to downvotes and the downvotes to upvotes
byu/ccx219 inmildlyinfuriating
However, Instagram's system differs in that it will not provide a public downvote tally, nor will users know who downvoted which comments. This decision addresses some of the issues seen in other platforms where visible downvotes can escalate tension or promote groupthink.
Will the Downvote Feature Last?
As with many of Meta’s experimental features, it remains to be seen whether Instagram’s downvote test will become a permanent addition to the platform. Adam Mosseri has emphasized that this is a trial and that the feature could be adjusted or scrapped depending on user feedback.
Instagram is taking a cautious approach, limiting the downvote feature to a small user base and collecting data to assess its effectiveness.
If successful, the downvote feature could eventually be integrated into Instagram’s comment ranking algorithm. This could lead to a more curated and user-controlled experience, with negative or harmful comments being downranked in favor of more constructive and positive discussions.
However, as Meta’s past tests have shown, it’s important for platforms to carefully consider the long-term effects of such features on both user experience and platform culture. Instagram must find the right balance between fostering healthy conversations and preventing the feature from being weaponized to suppress diverse opinions.
