Jetpack 2.2: Likes

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about the web, it’s that people really like to like things.  That’s why the latest version of Jetpack introduces a “Like” feature.  The new feature enables a “Like” area at the bottom of your posts and pages.  A button allows your readers to show appreciation for your posts as well as save your posts for later viewing on WordPress.com using the Reader. 

Once a user likes your post, their Gravatar will be displayed below your content, allowing you to engage with them further.  You’ll also receive a notification in your toolbar if you have the notifications module enabled, and an email notifying you of the action. 

Likes isn’t the only new feature in this release.  We’ve also added a Readmill widget, a bulk spam feature to the contact form, improved our Pinterest share button integration, and a slew of bug fixes. 

Off topic, I know but I’d really love a way to import Feedburner email subscribers into Jetpack’s subscribe function.  Google seems to have abandoned that product and it’s experienced some outages lately.  So the sooner we can move into Jetpack the better.  Thanks for the consideration! 

Oh, beautiful.  Thanks for this.  Both as a reader and a blogger, having a “like” button means people who don’t have something specific to say but want to tell you they were there can do so instead of stealthing it or leaving a comment that just makes them feel like they didn’t make the effort. 

You are so right Justin, and Berry!  🙂
I’m the editor of a group salon (blog) Self hosting is the right solution for us, but the one thing our wordpress.com users cry most loudly for is their beloved Like button! 

Now we can have all the substance of a great WordPress blog… and all the social friendliness of that Facebook thingy!  🙂 TY! 

One thing that bothers me about Jetpack—amid the cloud of extremely useful features—is that when you click “Learn More” next to modules, the module often activates, and you have to press deactivate (if you notice). 

Can “Learn More” be separated from the activation of the modules?  It’s deceptive navigation for a start and has caused a few problems by enabling things which were unintended. 

I’m excited about having a good “like” button but I’m a bit disappointed that the Jetpack implementation so forcefully requires a WordPress.com login and it doesn’t really explain what’s going on.  I clicked on “Like” and it immediately opened a new window asking me to log in to WordPress.com with no other explanation.  This is liable to confuse users.  A better explanation for users would help.  The ability to leave a semi-anonymous Like would help (but might be fraught with spam).  The ability to leave an anonymous Like would help. 

Thanks, but no thanks, guys.  I’m with Michael Cashman and Gadlen.  I moved my personal blog from .com to self-hosted, then activated the new “like” button.  People who neither have nor want a WP account are really upset they have to get an account and sign in just to let me know they appreciated my article.  That wasn’t necessary in the past.  Not everyone is comfortable doing that, and when I run across a “log in to do simple task” I head for the hills and don’t go back to the site.  Unless I can find a way in the files to sweet talk it out of forcing a login I will definitely removing it, hoping it will be optional some time soon. 

Likes comes disabled by default and you can deactivate them again by going in Jetpack, clicking on Learn More by the Likes box, then Deactivate. 

Our Like button works in the same fashion as Facebook, Twitter, Stumble, etc.  Any of those services require an account, as well, to use.  In order for us to record who liked your post and prevent Like spam, it requires a simple login before clicking the Like button.