Posted: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 at 8:44 pm. Filed in New Features, WordPress.com.
Tags: Features, gravatar, likes
Like a Post? Well Then, “Like” It!
Starting today you’ll notice a new feature at the bottom of all WordPress.com blog posts. We’ve enabled a “Like” button, which, when clicked, shows a Gravatar image for all the bloggers who like a post.
When you “like” a post two core things happen. First, the blog post’s author sees your “like” and can click-through to your Gravatar profile. Second, clicking “like” saves the post in your homepage dashboard (in the “Posts I Like” section), so you can share it with others, or just keep it around for future reference. If you’re interested in keeping track of how many likes your own blog posts are receiving, there’s a new “like count” column on the “Posts > Edit Post” screen. This will show you the total like count on each of your posts, right next to the total comment count.
We’re hoping this will be an awesome new way to discover other interesting bloggers, and start new conversations with people who — literally! — like you. If you haven’t updated your Gravatar profile yet, now would be a great time to upload a picture, a link to your blog, and any other details. Editing your profile is easy, just remember that all of your profile information is public.
If you’d prefer not to display likes on any of your blog posts we’ve provided an option to turn them off under “Appearance > Extras.” You can still enable or disable likes selectively on individual posts through the “Show likes on this post” checkbox when editing or writing a new post.
To help you get fully up to speed, check out the new support document on the likes system.
Update:
To turn off the Like button you will now need to go into Settings > Sharing. You can read more about this move here.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:14 pm
great idea! I was thinking of putting up a new gravatar: thanks for the suggestion of doing it now. Looking forward even more to enjoying the bloggers I like: I now hit the like button, and let them know!
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Nice one guys! Keep it up
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Good Idea. Makes it easier to inform a blogger that you like their post without having to write a comment.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:36 pm
really nice
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Super. Once again you guys have come up trumps. All we need now is a row of “share this” buttons on each post for other social networking sites (hint hint).
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Very cool!
But why only allow readers to Like once in the specific post? In other words, why only here…
http://mindycooks.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/savory-cilantro-sauce/
…and not here: http://mindycooks.wordpress.com/
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:46 pm
We may introduce other places for like buttons in the near future.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:44 pm
wow! really cool…I just clicked the like button for this article…^_^
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Great add! WordPress is more like Facebook now…
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:47 pm
This will be fun and a great way to kill time…thanks!
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:47 pm
@Andy P. Cool. I appreciate the insight.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Thanks for including an option to turn it off. I don’t think it really works on my blog.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Great idea, unfortunately for me the Like button displays over the heading of the post not at the bottom of the page! How can I fix that?
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Please send a quick message to the support team and we’ll get this fixed up for you. Make sure you let them know the blog in question.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:49 pm
I “like” the way that WordPress.com is always adding new features and new themes. Bravo! I look forward to the discussion around this like button. I’m curious what people will say. As one person mentioned above, it’s a shortcut instead of leaving a comment. Comments are so central to the heart and soul of a blog, I hope this doesn’t take away from comments.
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:50 pm
wow!! that’s really cool!
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:55 pm
very cool and like fotdmike said, a share this bar would be super cool…
August 3rd, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Liking a post is a nice addition to comments. It would be nice, though, if it clicks through to their blog rather than their gravatar profile.
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:05 pm
We did consider this, but the Gravatar profile will provide extra information on the individual blogger. It’s really very easy to add your WordPress.com blog to your profile so hopefully we’ll see more people doing this.
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:04 pm
haha, ,, i was thinking how to give like button on my blog, but wordpress.com give it to us. . Thank you
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Like.
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Wonderful idea! It’s a social feedback tool in ways
.
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Great idea, it’s about time… when are we going to be able to do an easy feed.
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:34 pm
This will be useful…Like!
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:38 pm
This is nice, but it seems it is only available for those who are logged in to WordPress.com. This could create confusion to some because if a logged-in user Likes a post than the gravatar shows up under the post, but the non-logged-in user would not see an option to either like the post or not and the gravatar would be confusing to understand. Is there a way to resolve this conflict for those who are not logged in? Ideally, for the non-logged-in users, the liked posts should not show the gravatar of those who have liked it.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:35 am
This is only for logged in users at the moment, we might expand it in the future to allow non-logged in users to like posts.
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:39 pm
i’m all for it!
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:40 pm
cool idea
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:43 pm
I LIKE IT!!!!
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Thanks for including an option to turn it off.
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:50 pm
This is awesome. Thank you WordPress!
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Love the idea
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Okay, two concerns:
1) what if you aren’t “liked” much? I better ask for my doctor for more meds…dang it!
2) I guess this increases the feedback, but now instead of “quality” feedback, all we are going to get from readers is a picture icon, or know who the weirdos are that liked you’re off-colored post….hmmm…can anyone be anonymous? It almost feels like AA…”Hi, My name is ‘Like’. I like only certain types of posts and want to leave my digital imprint everywhere on WordPress….”
I can see how advertising marketers could gain useful info from the target audience that “likes” certain posts…
:I
August 4th, 2010 at 12:02 am
is this available for wp mu installations on a our own domain?
August 4th, 2010 at 12:33 am
Not yet, there are plans though.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Cool idea!
August 4th, 2010 at 12:12 am
Me likey like the “like”.
blessings
jane
August 4th, 2010 at 12:15 am
At first I felt this was Facebook like button. Hope you guys are working on that as well.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:30 am
I like the ‘LIKE’ button…now if you could create a ‘FOLLOW’ button, I’ll be ENRAPTURED!
http://hideaheart.wordpress.com
August 4th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Can we also get a ‘freaking hate’ button?
August 4th, 2010 at 12:50 am
These features are remarkable, Andy P! Thank you for giving us the ability to use these new enhancements or not.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:52 am
Where’s the like button in this post? I dig it totally. Simple but effective dude.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Thank you verymuch.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:56 am
It will be very nice!
August 4th, 2010 at 1:02 am
I like it. No, really, I do.
August 4th, 2010 at 1:06 am
Thank you WordPress for this awesome “Like” function!!
Like what hideaheart has mentioned, if you can create a “Follow” button it will be GREAT!!!!!!!!!
August 4th, 2010 at 1:09 am
This is really great! It’s amazing how many peeps will message me that they “liked” my post, but they won’t leave a comment. Some kind of strange negative inertia I guess. It should be easier to just “like” the post so perhaps this will result in a lot more feedback and interaction!
So bravo!
Oh… but… I’m with ismailmail, WHY only logged in “bloggers?” Actual non-blogging-human-beings read blogs too! Isn’t there some way for them to “like” your work? It seems useless if only the “elite” of this internal community can participate and the rest of the world is voiceless. Yes, of course they *could* make an account… but in a world with too much choice and too little time, making something “hard” or “too many steps” is the same as prohibiting it. I love “liking” because it sounds a lot easier than commenting (which of course is very easy… but… negative inertia…) BUT… if they have to sign up to like… then it’s even harder than commenting and I don’t see what we’ve gained.
So sad face!
Overall: Happy Face / Sad Face… Comedy & Tragedy… mixed review…
August 4th, 2010 at 1:16 am
Looks great. It’ll be fun to see how many likes I get.
August 4th, 2010 at 1:31 am
I guess this might be handy since not everyone comments, so instead they can “like” it. But I don’t like this “let’s all look like Facebook” approach websites are taking.
August 4th, 2010 at 1:38 am
Very cool. Any plans for social media buttons (like Tweetmeme and Facebook’s Like button) anytime soon? It seems like it wouldn’t be too difficult to port those plugins over to the WP.com platform. That’d be awesome.
August 4th, 2010 at 1:48 am
Thank you WordPress for this awesome “Like” function!!
August 4th, 2010 at 2:04 am
I love your fun, new ideas and I will definitely use this …..if I can see it. I don’t see the “like button” on any blog, lest my own. I really want it – I swear. Cross my heart.
( Yes, I’ve already checked and it’s enabled in my appearance extras. )
August 4th, 2010 at 4:34 am
I can see it on your blog on single post pages, right above the “Responses” section.
August 4th, 2010 at 2:04 am
Sounds great. Mary
August 4th, 2010 at 2:14 am
You guys @ wordpress never cease to amaze me, keep up the great work.
August 4th, 2010 at 2:16 am
Suuuuuuuupi!
August 4th, 2010 at 2:21 am
Yay! I’ve already “Like”d a few things already. That is neat.
August 4th, 2010 at 2:24 am
I’ve actually been waiting for this – great!
August 4th, 2010 at 2:34 am
NIce feature guys
Thank you so much! I “like” it!
August 4th, 2010 at 3:00 am
…just what I was thinking the other day! I love it, thank you WordPress!
August 4th, 2010 at 3:18 am
awesome..
i like it…
but can I put it on the top of my post?
it only show when you are in posting page..
can it show in HOME page (with multiple posting page) ?
August 4th, 2010 at 4:33 am
Maybe in a future update, but right now it is just for below single posts.
August 4th, 2010 at 3:28 am
its just awsome
August 4th, 2010 at 3:32 am
the tutorial page about like clarified my doubts …
thank u
August 4th, 2010 at 3:33 am
Hi, thanks for the reply; however, I am indicating a conflict which becomes apparent between logged in users and the non-logged in users. Majority of blog visitors are non-logged in users so when they see a gravatar under the post, they might be curious to know where is it coming from. It would be helpful if there could be a way to notify the non-logged in users what those gravatars are for. Or until you allow non-logged in users to like posts, you may wish to consider hiding the gravatars from their view?
August 4th, 2010 at 4:32 am
It does still say that “X number of bloggers liked this post” so it should be fairly clear what the images mean. The only thing that is different is the button is gone.
August 4th, 2010 at 3:38 am
kewl
August 4th, 2010 at 3:44 am
excellent!
August 4th, 2010 at 3:48 am
any way i can get the like button to appear at the top of the posts rather than all the way at the bottom?
August 4th, 2010 at 4:31 am
The like button is specifically for below posts right now.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:04 am
Wow…WP is getting more and more like Tumblr
August 4th, 2010 at 4:17 am
Well, this is something I really LIKE!
August 4th, 2010 at 4:22 am
Supercool!! Pls roll out a followers widget like blogger for other bloggers to follow our blogs
August 4th, 2010 at 4:25 am
Wow, this is awesome! I “Like” it already and pressed the button to prove it!
August 4th, 2010 at 4:27 am
Isn’t it an old feature? Previously the like button used to be at the top admin bar. Now it’s below each post. That’s it.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:30 am
That’s it.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:33 am
I like it. Clicked the star at the top of this page, too.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:35 am
Thanks…!
August 4th, 2010 at 4:49 am
Thank you Andy P. I see it now. My mistake. Oh boy…it must be an age thing. Thanks for all you do!
August 4th, 2010 at 4:52 am
wow!! that’s really cooooooool!
August 4th, 2010 at 5:43 am
This is excellent!!! Your the best WordPress.com!!
))
August 4th, 2010 at 5:44 am
Awesome! Personally, I think a giant thumbs up photo for both WordPress and Facebook is in order.
http://leahkaminsky.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/attention-new-like-feature-on-facebook/
August 4th, 2010 at 5:45 am
Hi good one, tho took me a little while to find the button, maybe it could be a bit bigger? for us non techie type’s and us learners on the blog scene,or could it be my ageing eye sight??
keep it up Jacqui
August 4th, 2010 at 5:48 am
I am the reason there should not be a like button……i over use it
LIKE LIKE LIKE EVERYTHING!!! ++++
August 4th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Now we just need an integration plugin for WordPress.org sites that will let us add reblog and like to our sites too…
August 4th, 2010 at 6:31 am
what a great idea! i do like it!
August 4th, 2010 at 6:41 am
This is great. But is there a way to unlike something that we accidentally like?
August 4th, 2010 at 7:24 am
Yes, just remove it from the “Posts I Like” tab on the WordPress.com home page.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:47 am
I like it
Good to have added this at the bottom of the page, because one can only “like” it after having read it… not many crawl back to the top to like it….
August 4th, 2010 at 6:58 am
Quite useless if you ask me…
August 4th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Would be nice to have this on the Start page, too.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:41 am
I like the “LIKE”
August 4th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Kinda makes the little “thumbs up/thumbs down” thing a little redundant, but I like this better; you can see who actually likes what you are posting. =D
August 4th, 2010 at 8:05 am
woh is this the real wordpress.com. it is very goods
August 4th, 2010 at 8:14 am
kumaha nyieunna?? Teu apal sayyah…
August 4th, 2010 at 9:12 am
i’ll miss a simple comments “i like this” again..
August 4th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Wonderful … thank you
August 4th, 2010 at 9:19 am
I really like the “Like”.. but I’m with ismailmail and Vaneeesa Blaylock and hope, that you’ll allow the rest of the not-wordpress.com-bloggers and non-blogging world at all to “Like” posts…
August 4th, 2010 at 9:38 am
If this supported http://activitystrea.ms output too it would be quite lovely.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:39 am
A good idea in deed.Wordpress, is still tops…but can we have this on the start page as well?
August 4th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I like such dynamic creative ideas on anything going on already splendid.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:50 am
I actually very much like this! I think it makes the “like” feature more obvious to others and the ability to see exactly whom has “liked” a post is quite nice. Especially since it utilizes the new Gravatar profiles.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Thank you, Andy. I must have missed that.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Love the idea, keep up the good work.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:56 am
hi.
i agree with useibert.
however, i can’t seem to find the like button my blogs.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:57 am
GREAT idea. I really like this. And I like Matthew Guay’s idea of being able to reblog… I know we’re never happy are we? But thanks for this and keep up the good work
August 4th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
You can reblog using the “Like” menu in the admin bar, then selecting “Reblog this post”.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Another great addition to wordpress.com.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Interesting feature! Kudos to you
hopefully I get some LIKES on my page soon
August 4th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I think … What a about the rating? Why don’t just combine between rating and Gravatar? So we don’t have the “thumbs-up” and “like button” at the same time. I think combining between rating dan Gravatar is better, when we click “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” the Gravatar is shown.