X Dislike Button To Be Limited to Verified Users, Elon Musk Says Amid Fresh Bot Crackdown
X is set to roll out a dislike button, with Elon Musk saying the feature may be limited to verified users and subscribers to curb spam and bot activity. The update, also hinted at by Nikita Bier, aims to improve feed quality and user experience.
Bengaluru, March 18: In a new move aimed at tackling spam and automated accounts, Elon Musk has announced that the dislike button on X will be restricted to subscribers and verified users. The decision is part of a broader push to reduce bot activity and improve authenticity across the platform.
“To prevent spam bot attacks, the dislike button will be for subscribers/verified accounts only,” Musk said in a post on X, reinforcing his long-standing focus on eliminating fake and automated accounts. X Product Head Nikita Bier Responds To Dislike Button Feedback.
Elon Musk: X Dislike Button Limited to Verified Users to Curb Bots
Renewed Focus on Bots
Bot activity has been a key concern for Musk even before he acquired X in 2022. He has repeatedly criticized the platform’s previous leadership for underestimating the scale of fake accounts, arguing that bots distort conversations and undermine trust.
X To Roll Out Dislike Button
Since taking over, Musk has pushed for stricter enforcement against “scammy” bots and coordinated manipulation campaigns. While X already enforces policies against fake accounts and spam networks, the persistence of such activity highlights the complexity of moderating large-scale social platforms.
Dislike Button on Replies May Return
Adding to the development, X’s Head of Product Nikita Bier recently hinted that a dislike button for replies could be making a comeback. In a post, Bier shared a screen recording of the feature, suggesting it would help the platform’s algorithm better understand what users do not want to see. Is X Becoming Adult Website? Grok’s ‘Undressing’ Prompt and Lenient Policies Spark Outrage.
The feature is expected to act as a signal for ranking content, potentially improving feed quality by filtering out low-value or spammy replies.
Balancing Control and User Experience
While restricting features to verified users may help limit bot abuse, it also raises questions about accessibility and user participation. As X continues to evolve under Musk’s leadership, striking the right balance between platform safety and user experience remains an ongoing challenge.
With new tools like the dislike button and stricter verification controls, X appears set to intensify its fight against bots in the coming months.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 18, 2026 10:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).