I used multiple social media platforms and I can say in medium confidence that downvotes are almost useless to see for users.

They are made to influence the algorithm and that’s it, if you are really bothered by them it’s because you saw something you were never intended to see.

Reddit try to communicate this by showing you only one number for the total score and they are trying to not show you if your post score became in negative.

Matter of fact, I personally find downvotes pretty refreshing for me because I expect to hear something I don’t know or a passionate criticism on my opinions or posts.

I think what could discourage me from posting is the lack of comments, not the downvotes.

Note: If you are really bothered about downvotes, you can disable showing down votes on the web client and in the mobile clients by changing that option in the settings.

Downvote if you agree.

  • BonerMan@ani.socialEnglish
    174·
    1 month ago

    You can also just stop careing about other peoples opinions in general, 99% of humans suck.

    • Free_Opinions@feddit.ukEnglish
      51·
      1 month ago

      We’re as free to stop caring about what other people think as we are to stop enjoying the taste of sugar. It’s not impossible, but it’s incredibly difficult. For most of human history, being disliked or ostracized by those around you often meant death. You don’t just wake up one day and decide to override such a deeply ingrained instinct.