After years of experimenting and internal testing, we’re now seeing more platforms try out the downvote option, though not in the way that many would have assumed. Of the many platforms that have already given downvotes a whirl, TikTok is the latest one, with some users now seeing downvote prompts that enable them to mark video replies that they don’t want to see.
As per TikTok:
“We’ve started testing a way to let individuals identify comments they believe to be irrelevant or inappropriate. This community feedback will add to the range of factors we already use to help keep the comment section consistently relevant and a place for genuine engagement. To avoid creating ill-feeling between community members or demoralize creators, only the person who registered a dislike on a comment will be able to see that they have done so.”
Upping Downvotes
An example posted by the ever-vigilant Matt Navarra highlights that some users are now seeing a ‘Thumbs Down’ icon at the right of video replies, enabling them to signal their disinterest or dissatisfaction with a comment. TikTok initially began experimenting with the option back in 2020 and is now expanding it to a wider pool of users.
TikTok is yet to outline how this might impact comment ranking and whether or not it’ll lead to a change in how comments are displayed for individual users. The idea is that downvotes will give it better feedback as to what users dislike, enabling the platform to further refine its systems to prioritize the most relevant remarks. So it’s not a direct downvote option like you would normally see on a site like, say, Reddit, but it could be.
As noted, Facebook and Twitter have also been trying their hand at downvotes. Perhaps this will eventually lead to response ranking or help platforms better detect trends and patterns in negative replies to allow for better action on such. Overall, effective downvote implementation might even lead to improved overall engagement, which would be the ideal scenario. Really, it might be best if TikTok would actually follow Reddit’s format, despite the latter not really being a ‘standard’ social platform. TL;DR, following Reddit’s downvote format, would create a better educational feedback loop for TikTok, encouraging more civil interaction, though it probably still isn’t the best way to go about it.
To add, TikTok is also experimenting with new reminders that’ll guide creators to its comment filtering and bulk block and delete options. Furthermore, TikTok will now also enable users to create reports in the app via video, while simultaneously better aligning with app usage behavior.
The Wrap
Combined, these new tools will create a better feedback loop for TikTok users, providing more insight for the platform to further refine, tweak, and polish its systems, helping make it a safer, more welcoming, and more engaging user experience.
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