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Outputs

Message Reactions

Give quick emoji feedback on assistant replies without typing. Thumbs and similar signals feed quality loops with less friction than a written form.

Interactive demo

How do I roll out message reactions without slowing the thread?
Keep reactions on the assistant row only, use a single selected state, and log the choice without opening a modal. A one-line acknowledgment is enough for most teams.

Overview

How might we design message reactions so people can trust and act on AI output?

When to use

  • Perfect for conversational AI interfaces, chat applications, and feedback systems where quick emoji reactions provide lightweight user feedback and engagement.

When to skip

  • Every message needs detailed rationale for compliance review.
  • Reactions would train on PHI or legal advice without consent.
  • The UI already has mandatory structured rating on each turn.

Rules

  • Thumbs down with no optional “why” follow-up.

  • Reactions that disappear after scroll with no persisted signal.

  • Using reactions as the only support path for harmful output.

  • Emoji picker that covers the message being rated.

Evidence

ProductImplementation
ChatGPTThumbs up/down on assistant messages with optional detail.
ClaudeFeedback controls on responses for quality tuning.
DiscordEmoji reactions on bot messages in servers.
SlackEmoji reactions on app and AI bot replies.

FAQ

Why add reactions to AI chat?

They capture sentiment in one tap, improving models and giving users a fast way to flag bad answers.

Thumbs only or full emoji set?

Thumbs plus optional emoji is enough for most assistants. Full sets fit social or team chat.

What happens on thumbs down?

Offer optional categories (wrong, unsafe, lazy) and never punish the user for negative signal.

Reactions vs repair contract?

Reactions score the message. Repair contract is an explicit fix flow after a bad answer.