No comment? Facebook “Like” button (aka the “Lazy” button) is for you!

In 2009 Facebook introduced the “Like”  feature and in April 2010,  unleashed the power of the “like” button into the world at large. Any website or blog, big or small could install “Like” buttons to their heart’s content. In the first week alone, over 50.000 sites added the like button.

Now Facebook has added the option of “I Like your comment”, especially useful for people who do not seem to have a single original thought of their own. They can simply click that they “Like” your status update, link, video, photo or news item and now with the new feature, click that they “Like” each comment that third parties make about your post. The opportunities to “Like” are endless, but is this a good thing?

As a content publisher, I have to admit that the simplicity of the “Like” button  does translate into more people sharing content. It is a thrill to reach new audiences. The other bright spot is the possibility that the “Like” button will bring Facebook Lurkers out of the shadows; even those too shy or too lazy to comment might dare to dip a toe in with a “Like” here or there.

The danger of accommodating people with nothing to add to the conversation? The result could be about as much fun as people at a party standing around nodding their heads in agreement.  No comment? “Like” it or not, prepare yourself for the onslaught of “so and so likes so and so’s comment” notifications!

What will come next? My prediction is the Facebook “No Comment” button.

Tagged as: endless likes, Facebook Like, Facebook Lurker, Facebook no comment, facebook wallflowers, Lazy button, Like button, like it or not, Like This, like your comment