After YouTube made it useless, TikTok now adds Dislike button

Most likely aiming to maximize views and therefore revenue, Google has hidden the count attached to the Dislike button. Launched without this option, the TikTok network is only now adding the Dislike button, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the propagation dynamics of user-distributed content.

At least in theory, those who wish to express their disagreement with inappropriate or poor quality content distributed on TikTok will be able to do so by simply activating the Dislike button. Of course, in practice things are not that simple, as the platform managed by ByteDance generates its profits mainly by viralizing content of questionable quality. Put in this context, the introduction of the Dislike button would seem more like an act of self-sabotage.

According to the official description, the Dislike button will allow users to identify and flag inappropriate or irrelevant comments, thus helping the automated moderation systems already active on the platform.

However, beyond the potential for positive moderation of TikTok content, the ByteDance administrator also has to manage the possibility of misuse, with the Dislike button presenting an easy way to bring down the reputation of a TikTok post or star.

Most likely, the Dislike button will debut on TikTok more as a “form” option, and it remains to be seen if they can truly include it in the long list of paramenters used to rate content on the platform. YouTube is also in no better position, with independent studies showing that using the Dislike button is largely unnecessary.