Is it possible to configure reactions to stay in one place?

Contribute Feature
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AI-generated summary

Users discussed the visual inconsistency of reaction counts on posts, specifically how the layout shifts when custom reactions are added versus a plain like count. erikds noted that while the default heart fills upon adding a reaction, the count moves from ghost text next to the button to the left corner once non-heart reactions are present, which can be confusing when skimming. They suggested a more consistent design where the reaction list always appears to the left of replies, potentially using a popover for counts. Dimava supported this, requesting that reactions behave more like standard likes with multiple predefined icons in a single row. nathank agreed, sharing an image to illustrate the confusing current layout. chapoi clarified that this feature request was bundled into the same Pull Request as the recent work on displaying all reactions, indicating the issue has been addressed in the development pipeline.

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  1. Is it possible to configure reactions to stay in one place so that the visual indicators when skimming are the same? We’ve received feedback that this is a little confusing:

Plain like count

This image shows a section of a social media interface with 3 reply icons, a heart icon indicating 9 likes or favorites, and other interface elements like an ellipsis menu and a reply button. (Captioned by AI)
This image shows a section of a social media interface with 3 reply icons, a heart icon indicating 9 likes or favorites, and other interface elements like an ellipsis menu and a reply button. (Captioned by AI)1452×150 14.2 KB

Multiple kinds of reactions

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image1440×184 14.3 KB

My plain like with no custom reactions

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image1528×210 3.08 KB

My custom reaction

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image1536×196 9.09 KB

My interpretation:

  • The default heart fills (or turns into the emoji you select) when you add your own reaction.
  • Likes get a count in ghost text next to the reaction button until there is a non-heart added - then it moves to the left corner, with the count to the right of the reaction emoji list.
  • Reply count can also appear justified to the left

Overall I think I understand this design choice, I just think that it could be a little more visually consistent.
One idea here could be to always move the reaction count/list to the left side after replies, possibly stacking the different kinds of reactions if there are many, and to implement a popover with counts similar to the list you see when hovering on the reaction button (not sure how well these work with touch interfaces though).

6 Likes
Discourse Reactions
Ability to display all the likes/reactions on a post
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I would also like to make reactions act more like Likes and just have multiple predefined icons in the row

1 Like
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I agree! This looks dumb:

The image shows two thumbs-up icons, a refresh symbol, and a menu icon against a black background. (Captioned by AI)
The image shows two thumbs-up icons, a refresh symbol, and a menu icon against a black background. (Captioned by AI)914×356 9.93 KB

(I’ve just moved this to Contribute > Feature)

3 Likes
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As an additional effect of the rework we did for displaying all reactions, this feature request has been bundled in the same PR.

3 Likes