Facebook Dislike Button: Mark Zuckerberg Updating New Feature for Social Media Platform

Youtube has a dislike button. Reddit has some form of it too. Now, by popular demand, an idea that has been brewing for years by fans of the Facebook, a dislike button just might be heading to the social media platform. Mark Zuckerberg stated on Tuesday that the company has been testing alternatives to the "like" button so people have the chance to express they are unhappy about a post.

Zuckerberg made the announcement from his headquarters at Menlo Park, CA.

"People have asked about the 'dislike' button for many years," Zuckerberg said. "Today is the day that I actually get to say we are working on it."

This particular button will be more one to explain that you're sad about something. He says users don't want to "like" a status about a refugee crisis or the death of a family member. Think of the button as more of an "empathy" button as opposed to just hating on something.

"What they really want is the ability to express empathy. Not every moment is a good moment," Zuckerberg continued.

"Some people have asked for a dislike button because they want to be able to say 'that thing isn't good,' and we're not going to do that," Zuckerberg said. "I don't think that's socially very valuable, or great for the community."

To many this announcement is a surprise because last December Zuckerberg seemed adamant against the idea of a dislike button. He always felt this was something that wasn't "socially valuable." Seeing where he is going with the new button though does make a lot of sense.

Zuckerberg went on to say that it won't be a full-fledged dislike button like you see on Reddit. "That isn't what we're here to build in the world," Zuckerberg said last December.

What do you think about this new feature on Facebook?

A #DislikeButton is coming to #Facebook. Will it change the #SocialNetwork?: https://t.co/MxUYQEt5n2 by @adhutchinson pic.twitter.com/tQlCaqArd4

— Social Media Today (@socialmedia2day) September 16, 2015

A #dislikebutton for @facebook is a terrible idea! We have enough negativity online! This encourage bulling. A good way to ruin a brand! — Yenni Vance (@TechnologyBOOM) September 16, 2015

Cyberbullying is already a massive problem and this is only going to contribute to it. #dislikebutton

— Christel Dee (@CaptainChristel) September 16, 2015