X (previously Twitter) may be testing a new feature allowing users to downvote posts on their iPhones to increase platform engagement. According to social media reports, the feature may appear as a ‘dislike’ option in the form of a heartbroken icon, rather than a Reddit-style downward arrow. The experiment was first reported in 2021, and the current discovery of code references to the functionality suggests that testing is still underway.
According to a post on the microblogging platform by user @aaronp613, the ability to dislike posts may be added shortly to the X app for iOS. Code references have reportedly been discovered, pointing to a heartbroken emoji-style icon for dislikes, similar to the like choice, represented by a heart icon.
The ability to dislike posts are coming to the X for iOS app as well pic.twitter.com/rWk5mkRcip
— Aaron (@aaronp613) July 11, 2024
The app’s code also appears to contain strings of text. According to the user, one of the strings reads, “Do you want to downvote this post?” while another says, “Downvote this post”. However, it is unclear whether the ability to downvote will be available for both posts and replies or just the former, given that the code only says “posts”.
X continues to work on adding back the downvote button to its iOS app https://t.co/3Aeed11Vtb pic.twitter.com/HSCgyTPrGd
— Aaron (@aaronp613) July 11, 2024
X, then known as Twitter, first indicated that it would test a downvote feature on iOS in 2021. It was described as part of a “small research experiment” that included upvote and downvote options for replies. The microblogging platform verified that downvotes were not public, although likes were visible to all users an update made them hidden last month.
Some of you on iOS may see different options to up or down vote on replies. We’re testing this to understand the types of replies you find relevant in a convo, so we can work on ways to show more of them.
Your downvotes aren’t public, while your upvotes will be shown as likes. pic.twitter.com/hrBfrKQdcY
— Support (@Support) July 21, 2021
Also Read:
- How To Get Transparent Taskbar On Windows 11
- How To Change The Color Temperature Of Your iPhone Display
Notably, another user @P4mui shared a video of the supposed downvoting feature in action. However, the video suggests that the option is available for replies, not for posts on the microblogging platform.
Le nouveau bouton dislike en action (appelé downvote en interne), pour le moment c’est uniquement prévu pour les réponses
X 10.49@xDaily pic.twitter.com/ZVgk8izTt1
— P4mui (@P4mui) July 11, 2024
