Camila Silveira, an expert in entrepreneurial development through social media, says the new feature could bring a series of implications for businesses and individuals
In recent days, a novelty in the digital world has caused a stir on social media: Instagram announced it is testing a new feature, the “Dislike” button, specifically for comments on Feed and Reels posts. The platform, already a favorite of millions of entrepreneurs, influencers, and brands worldwide, is seeking ways to enhance interaction and ensure users experience a healthier and more organized environment.
An expert in business development and digital entrepreneurship, Camila Silveira views this change with a critical yet optimistic eye. “After all, social media, especially Instagram, has become an essential tool for brand growth and community building. However, this new feature could bring a series of implications, both for the average user and for entrepreneurs who rely on the platform to expand their businesses,” she analyzes.
According to Instagram, the “Dislike” button is designed to help filter out unwanted interactions. The functionality allows users to “downvote” or “negatively mark” others’ comments without making this publicly visible to other users. “In other words, instead of seeing a ‘dislike’ count as happens on other platforms, Instagram prioritizes keeping this action invisible but uses these signals to adjust the algorithm, reducing the visibility of ‘downvoted’ comments,” explains Camila.
According to the expert, this makes perfect sense in a time when we seek to create more positive communities on social media. “Entrepreneurs, in particular, benefit from this change, as it can help reduce the impact of negative interactions and focus on more relevant and constructive comments that actually contribute to building a solid business and an engaged community.”
Implications for Entrepreneurs and Content Creators
Now, the question many entrepreneurs must be asking is: *how could this change impact my online presence?* Camila notes that if you use Instagram to promote your brand or services, it’s essential to understand how the new features influence your posts’ reach and engagement.
“At first glance, this functionality may be seen as a tool to improve the social media environment by promoting more positive interactions. However, for those constantly managing their social media, the new ‘Dislike’ button also presents challenges,” she highlights, detailing them as follows:
1. **Redefining Feedback:** The ‘Dislike’ button may change how followers interact with your posts. For many creators and entrepreneurs, constructive feedback is one of the most valuable ways to assess and improve content. However, by allowing a ‘downvote’ to be anonymous, there’s a risk of users not fully understanding why a piece of content wasn’t well-received.
2. **Impact on Comment Visibility:** Although Instagram won’t publicly display ‘dislike’ counts, the algorithm will still process these signals of disapproval. This means that, even without a visible counter, your followers’ negative perception of certain content could affect its visibility and placement in the feed. In other words, what might have been an irrelevant comment could become less relevant when ‘downvoted,’ directly impacting how the algorithm ranks the post.
3. **Crisis Monitoring and Management:** For entrepreneurs, crisis management on social media is a critical factor for success. The ‘Dislike’ button could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allows users to express dissatisfaction without sparking an open debate. On the other hand, it may amplify the spread of negative interactions in a more discreet way, requiring entrepreneurs to be more vigilant about managing their content.
**How Entrepreneurs Can Leverage This New Feature to Their Advantage?**
With change comes new opportunities to optimize digital presence. Camila Silveira listed some ways entrepreneurs can benefit:
1. **Focus on Quality Content:** Instagram is constantly refining its algorithm to showcase what’s relevant and positive. This means the more engaging and constructive your content is, the higher the chances of reaching a qualified audience. Focusing on genuine content that provides real value to your followers can minimize negativity and increase organic engagement.
2. **Monitoring Audience Reactions:** With this new feature, it’s important for entrepreneurs to monitor how their followers are interacting with their comments. Brands can use this information to adapt their approach and improve community relationships, fostering closer and more assertive communication.
3. **Enhancing Interaction Strategies:** This change also presents an opportunity to further humanize audience relationships. Entrepreneurs must use their influence to guide discussions constructively. Creating a space where followers feel heard and respected, even in criticism, is a key competitive advantage.
The expert points out that Instagram remains a vital platform for entrepreneurs and content creators, and the ‘Dislike’ button underscores the need for more careful and strategic audience interaction. While this feature is still in testing, its implementation could mark a turning point in how we communicate and interact on social media.
“As entrepreneurs, it’s essential to embrace change with a critical perspective, adapting to new tools and making the most of emerging opportunities. Instagram is constantly evolving, and how we handle digital interactions reflects not just the evolution of a platform but also the maturity of the digital market as a whole. By focusing on authenticity, content quality, and positive engagement, you can ensure your brand doesn’t just survive but thrives in this new social media landscape,” concludes Camila.
