Facebook’s reaction showing a wide-eyed, open-mouthed face in surprise is called “Wow.”
“Wow” is one of Facebook’s original emotional Reactions, introduced to give users alternatives to the Like button. The initial set also included Love, Haha, Sad, and Angry. Users could reveal these choices by pressing or hovering over the Like control, depending on the device and interface.
Facebook tested Reactions in Ireland and Spain in 2015 before rolling them out worldwide on February 24, 2016. The system was designed to communicate more nuanced responses than a simple Like, especially when a post was surprising, funny, sad, or emotionally significant.
A frequent mix-up is confusing “Wow” with Haha: Haha signals amusement, while Wow represents astonishment or surprise. The set has also changed over time. Facebook later added a Care reaction in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, while temporary options such as a rainbow flag and Thankful have appeared in particular contexts.