Is Facebook getting rid of its Like button? Here’s what we know

Facebook

Facebook’s iconic Like button, one of the most recognizable symbols on the internet,  is officially being phased out. Meta has announced that it will discontinue the Facebook Like and Comment buttons for external websites starting February 10, 2026.

To be clear, this doesn’t mean Facebook is removing the Like button from its own platform. You’ll still be able to like posts, photos, and videos on Facebook itself. What’s changing is the social plugins, those Like and Comment buttons you often see embedded on blogs, news sites, and other web pages that let you react or comment using your Facebook account.

Meta says the decision is part of its plan to simplify and modernize its developer tools. These plugins were introduced more than a decade ago, when websites heavily relied on Facebook integration to boost engagement. But over time, as the internet evolved and privacy norms shifted, the use of these plugins has declined.

According to Meta’s developer update, once the change takes effect in 2026, the buttons won’t break any website — they’ll simply stop appearing. Technically, they’ll render as a 0x0 pixel, meaning they’ll be invisible but won’t cause any errors or disruption. Developers don’t need to take any immediate action, although Meta suggests removing the old plugin code for a cleaner experience.

The move marks the end of an era for Facebook’s presence across the wider web. The Like button, which debuted in 2009, quickly became a cultural phenomenon — a shorthand for approval and connection that reshaped how people interacted online. For years, publishers and brands used it to measure popularity and reach, making it one of Facebook’s most powerful tools for social influence.

But in 2025, the digital landscape looks very different. With social media use fragmenting across platforms, and privacy regulations tightening worldwide, Facebook’s external plugins no longer hold the same sway. Meta says it’s focusing instead on tools that “deliver the most value” to developers and allow it to invest in “future innovations.”

So, while Facebook isn’t killing the Like button entirely, it is saying goodbye to the version that once lived across millions of websites, a quiet but symbolic end to one of the internet’s most familiar icons.