Facebook 'dislike' button on the cards, CEO Mark Zuckerberg says

Users have pushed for the function for years

Facebook is set to unveil a dislike button (Getty)

Facebook is set to get a "dislike" button, the social media network’s CEO has announced.

Mark Zuckerberg told an audience at the website’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, that the function was under construction.

In the past, Facebook has resisted calls from users to introduce a “dislike” button, amid apparent fears it would be unpopular with brands on the website.

However Mr Zuckerberg said on Tuesday, according to Business Insider: “I think people have asked about the dislike button for many years. Today is a special day because today is the day I can say we’re working on it and shipping it."

"What they really want is the ability to express empathy. Not every moment is a good moment."

He added: "It’s surprisingly complicated to make an interaction that will be simple."

Facebook has long been working on a way to enable users to express different emotions on the platform, and Mr Zuckerberg suggested in late 2014 that the site could soon feature a "dislike" button.

However, the developer who created the "like" button said that the creation of "dislike" button was also debated, but it was decided the potential negative fall-out would be too great.

Former Facebook CTO Bret Taylor told Tech Radar in October 2014: "I have the feeling that if there were to be a 'dislike' button is that you would end up with these really negative social aspects to it."

"If you want to dislike something, you should probably write a comment, because there's probably a word for what you want to say. I'm not saying the 'like' button isn't flawed would it be even more complex with a negative sentiment like 'dislike'," he said.