New reaction buttons VS. “like” button

QUEZON City, Philippines (February 18) – The first version of the “like” button, then called the “awesome” button, was developed in 2007. Facebook Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg was concerned about the public nature of the feature, and chose not to launch it until 2009.In 2010, “like” buttons were added to individual comments on posts and other objects. Since then, almost all public activity on Facebook has been likable. Facebook also started including posts and links users had liked in their timelines, as part of the activity log. This changed liking from a relatively private action to a fundamentally public gesture.

As additions to the traditional Facebook “like”, Facebook released it’s five new reaction buttons – love, haha, wow, sad, and angry. However despite the inclusion of these new reactions the “like” button is still the most popular and the button most users click to react on a certain status, picture or video.

I heard someone said that “It is not important if you get a lot of likes or if a lot of people follow you on Facebook” (I will confess, I also said that once), but the hurtful truth is IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT!!!

I will tell you my three reasons why “like” button is still the most popular of them all.

First, believe it or not, people these days measure your popularity by  how many likes you get. It is stupid but you know its true, right?? It’s a social proof that if you gain a tons of like for example on your pictures or videos, you are definitely a gorgeous one!!

Second, Facebook “like” can lead to opportunity.. Yes! Opportunity of becoming a new star.. If you can see people who get lots of likes, they end up trending in the social media that cause them to be known by a lot of people. TV stations and networks find those people who become viral, then give them a big break. If you know Yaya Dub, she’s one of a good example of what I mean.

And lastly, admit it or not, there comes a time that you will ask yourself “how can I get more likes?” and if you get “likes” on your post, it feels good, right? It just means that you’re receiving a positive feedback from someone because they like what you post and share.

In short, for me,  those additional five reactions Facebook added are just not that good as “like”, maybe because the reaction buttons – love, haha, wow, sad, and angry –  won’t measure someone’s popularity, it won’t lead them to opportunity and last but not the least it won’t give them the good feelings the “like” button does.

(written by Mia Caragay, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)