Alongside the like button and other reactions, Facebook has added a new ‘Hug’ reaction which means that you are showing support during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was released to curb the effect of COVID-19 and to make people feel better.
It is an emoji hugging a heart which means you are “showing support” to your family and friends during the ongoing pandemic. Even though the heart reaction shows similar emotion this reaction is specifically for you to show direct support to the person rather than to the post.
We’re launching new Care reactions on @facebookapp and @Messenger as a way for people to share their support with one another during this unprecedented time.
We hope these reactions give people additional ways to show their support during the #COVID19 crisis. pic.twitter.com/HunGyK8KQw
— Alexandru Voica ???? (@alexvoica) April 17, 2020
Facebook is using a pulsating purple-ish heart in messenger rather than using the same reaction. Due to the pandemic, Facebook has seen a significant increase in usage around the globe as many people stay indoors and practice social distancing. Though Facebook usage is up, the company outlined in late March that it’s being negatively affected financially due to the decrease in digital ad spending.
The care reaction is the first new reaction since 2016. It’s launching globally on Facebook’s mobile app and website next week. A different care reaction will also come to Facebook Messenger. It’s an animated beating heart! (Messenger already had a regular heart reaction.)
To enable this heart reaction, you need to long-press on the message, then long-press on the heart reaction and then tap okay to enable the new reaction.
It is known how people are using animated reactions to communicate and I think it is a good initiative that they have taken up in creating this reaction. The heart reaction is available on messenger from today and the hug reaction will arrive by next week.
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