No, it’s not coming, not anytime soon, not even just a Dislike Button, but people want it, if you type in the Dislike Button in the Facebook Search Bar and you get an endless amount of groups requesting it with a numerous amount of Likes, but why no Dislike Button. It’s the only TRUE way to find out if we really need one.
There are alternatives, like the Meh Button app that The Atlantic report on, and can be downloaded but it is not readily available on the Facebook website. So why no dislike an article on thenextweb.com sums it up perfectly:
“here’s why Zucker and [Company] will never approve a dislike button: people simply can’t be trusted to use a dislike button sensibly.
Social media is all about building networks, being accepted, being ‘liked’, sharing information…positive things. A dislike button goes against all of that and would only promote bad karma and negativity. Anti-social media, in other words.
But over and above Facebook’s desire to keep connecting people in a positive fashion, there’s the issue of revenue. Money, as we all know, talks. All those company pages and sponsored ads bring a lot of cash to Facebook, and giving 500 million people free reign to openly dislike something which has cost a company x amount to promote doesn’t make good business sense for Facebook.”
TheNextWeb.com article mentions people not being trusted to keeping the facade of perfect networking up on Facebook. Your opinion is not needed.
Meh Button App available at: http://www.pubnub.com/blog/facebook-meh-button
The Atlantic Article available at: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2010/08/facebook-should-add-a-meh-button/19179/
The Complete The Next Web Article at : http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2010/10/10/facebook-dislike-button-why-it-will-never-happen/
I for one wish Facebook would have a dislike button. In my opinion if you are going to have a like button, it only makes sense to have a dislike button. There been many times on Facebook where somebody on my friends list make some ridiculous status that I hate so much that it makes me wish there were a dislike button on Facebook. You also have the times when someone post a sad status such as passing in the family or something which is never a good thing so that would be the perfect time for a dislike button.
A dislike button can bring unnecessary drama to Facebook unfortunately which is why I think there are ways to have a dislike button without the drama. If you see the person name who actually disliked your status, you may take issue with it or question him/her so it would be best if either when you dislike a status it goes as anonymous or it just tell the user how many people dislike their status.
I agree that a dislike button can add unnecessary drama to Facebook. You made a very good point that one of the primary focuses of Facebook, and social media in general, is to be accepted. If someone posted something and get a dislike, it may become a personal issue that they take as an insult, just as when a person has many friends or comments, this may boost their self esteem. I also believe that a dislike button can add to the issue of cyber bullying. This new button may be another way that individuals can harass others if they know that getting a “dislike” will hurt the individual.
I also I agree with your point about advertising. If the dislike button is used irresponsibly, this may change the Facebook “atmosphere” and potentially make it a negative place. If the site loses its users, it will also use the advertisement revenue. It is definitely in Facebook’s best interest to stay a positive place that encourages individuals to not only “like” each other but “like” Facebook.