Facebook Is Finally Getting a "Dislike" Button, So Now You Don't Have to "Like" Terrible Statuses

Mark Zuckerburg announced today during a Q&A that the website will hopefully have the feature soon

By Jenna Mullins Sep 15, 2015 7:16 PMTags
Facebook, Dislike, Thumbs DownFacebook

So a Facebook friend just wrote a 1,000-word status about how her boyfriend dumped her, she's failing all her classes and she just found out that McDonald's all-day breakfast would have a limited menu. She's obviously depressed, distressed and looking for some sympathy. Your only option to show support, besides a sad face emoji?

The "like" button. Now you look like a jackass. Congrats, you just lost a Facebook friend!

Seriously, Facebook has been plagued with this problem for years. How do you show sympathy or anger without actually engaging anyone on the social media site? The "like" button has been the usual go-to, but it's not always appropriate. Your coworker's grandmother just passed away and you're clicking a button that means "I like this status!" Might as well give them a thumbs-up in the break room at work when they cry to you about how they'll miss their nana. Jerk.

But that will change very soon, according to Mark Zuckerberg. Facebook's head honcho announced today during a Q&A at Facebook's headquarters that they are currently working on a "dislike" button. React and rejoice, everyone!

AP Photo/Alex Washburn

"I think people have asked about the dislike button for many years. Today is a special day because today is the day I can say we're working on it and shipping it," Zuckerberg said 

You know what we are shipping? Us and the Facebook "dislike" button. Now we finally have a way to say, "Mom! Stop posting ads to online dating sites to our Facebook page! We don't like it!"

Zuckerberg revealed that the reason behind the delay in creating a "dislike" button was because he was worried it would become reddit-style down-voting situation.

"That isn't what we're here to build in the world," he said. "What they really want is the ability to express empathy. Not every moment is a good moment."

There is no official release date for the "dislike" button, but Zuckerberg hopes it will be soon.

"It's surprisingly complicated to make an interaction that will be simple," he admitted. 

Guess what, people who post too many photos of their kids? We're coming for you with the "dislike" button. And anyone who dislikes all our cat photos will be getting the ol' unfriend treatment. This Facebook addition will change our lives!