friendship

Facebook is trialling six alternatives to the "like" button.

Annoyed by your mate’s holiday photos on Facebook while you’re stuck in the office? Can’t bring yourself to “like” them and need another option to more accurately express your feelings? Mark Zuckerberg has answered your prayers.

Rumours that the company was working on alternatives to the “like” function had us assuming that a thumbs-down button was coming our way, but it seems that we were a little off the mark. We’re actually getting much more.

Chris Cox, Facebook’s Chief Product Officer, revealed exactly what Facebook’s alternative will look like today.

“We studied which comments and reactions are most commonly and universally expressed across Facebook, then worked to design an experience around them that was elegant and fun,” he explained in a statement on his page.

The result? No less than six new emojis are being tested out to express everything from being pissed-off about someone’s bad park to excited about their job promotion. It’s a good move from Facebook, because “liking” an image of someone’s sick dog isn’t really the greatest display of support.

ADORABLE. (Image via Facebook)

 

Fun and elegant, no?

This is what the change will look like:

(Image via Facebook)

 

From today the lucky Facebook users of Ireland and Spain will be the first to trial the platform's new emoji reactions. Depending on their response to the new system, the six emojis could appear on your newsfeed very soon.

What do you think about Facebook's new emoji reactions?