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Facebook on Wednesday released a new feature called "Reactions" for users all over the world. This feature was released as a beta for testing in seven countries last October. According to Facebook, "Reaction" is not a substitute to the traditional Like button but just an addition to give the users more options to express what they feel about the post. Since "like" button was the only way to acknowledge the post, it became awkward in some situations, for instance, if someone posted about their pet's death, it will not be appropriate to like the news but that is also the only option that one has to show their support, says iDigital Times

With the new Reaction emoji button, the users will find it easier to react appropriately to a situation with the help of six emotional reactions. "We've been listening to people and know that there should be more ways to easily and quickly express how something you see in News Feed makes you feel," the company wrote in a blog about the launch.

It is very simple to use the new reaction emojis, says Facebook . The feature is out on iOS, Android and desktop users already. You just need to hold the react button and then tap the relevant reaction such as haha, Like, Love, Wow, Sad and/or angry, reported iDigital Times

The idea to build Reactions started a year ago when Zuckerberg agreed that the platform required more detailed way for the users to engage with the posts, for reasons that not every post is like-worthy. "Mark gathered a bunch of people in a room and was like, 'hey we've been hearing this feedback from people for a really, really long time,'" recalls Julie Zhuo, a product design director at Facebook who worked on the reactions product.

Since 90% of the people used Facebook on mobile devices, they needed a way to respond that was quick, effortless and gesture-based, said Zhuo, emoji was the only option that seemed appropriate, as reported by Wired