Report: Twitter to Remove “Like” Function

This is Niche Culture. In this column, we regularly cover anime, geek culture, and things related to video games. Please leave feedback and let us know if there’s something you want us to cover!

A new report suggests social media platform Twitter is removing a core function of their platform in a bid to improve debates.

The new report (via the Telegraph) notes Twitter founder Jack Dorsey spoke at a Twitter event last week saying he wants to get rid of the “like” functionality “soon.” Dorsey said that he “was not a fan of the heart-shaped button.”

Telegraph reports that Dorsey hopes the removal of the like functionality will help create a healthier climate for debates on the platform. Previously, Twitter introduced a bookmarking function, which lets you private save tweets without the like functionality – the latter of which is a public act.

Dorsey previously noted his disapproval of the functionality earlier this month.

“We have a big like button with a heart on it and we’re incentivizing people to want it to go up,” Dorsey said at the Wired summit. “Is that the right thing? Versus contributing to the public conversation or a healthy conversation? How do we incentivize healthy conversation?”

How do you feel about the like functionality on Twitter? Would removing it actually change anything? Do you use Twitter at all? Sound off in the comments below!


About

Owner and Publisher at Niche Gamer and Nicchiban. Outlaw fighting for a better game industry.


Where'd our comments go? Subscribe to become a member to get commenting access and true free speech!