"like" button and "thumbs-up"

[GeneD]

The following question is concerned with these forums: what exactly the "like" button means? Every time I want to thank somebody for the reply I also click "like" because I do like when my question is resolved and I see clearly (or more clearly) what I didn't understand before. But I couldn't also have noticed that the "like" button has the emoji of thumbs-up and that it's pressed by the teachers most frequently and seems to mean "I agree with you" rather than just "like". From this perspective, my clicking the "like" button looks ridiculous because I can't really agree on something I don't know. Hence my confusion. The dictionary entry for "thumbs-up" gives the folowing: "thumbs-up is a reaction that shows you like something such as a plan or idea, or that you will accept it" (http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/thumbs-up). And I can't say I see to which side the definition is closer.

So... Is it a bad habit for a learner to press the "like" button in reply to the answer to the question? Or is it a good one (at least, not unappropriate)?

 

[emsr2d2]

On the forum, the "Like" button indicates that you agree with the answer or, in some cases, that it made you smile (sometimes posts are funny!) The best option for learners when a response is useful is the "Thank" button to show your appreciation for the response. It helps, of course, if you actually understand the response before you click "Thank". If you don't understand, ask a follow-up question.

 

[GoesStation]

I'd say yes, it's better not to habitually click both "like" and "thanks". It's fine to click both to indicate you particularly enjoyed a post and you want to thank the poster for answering your question though.

 

[Tdol]

I use the Like button for something I like or agree with, and the Thank button to indicate that the post has something extra or special about it.