PRESENTING INTERACTIONS WITH CONTENT ON A SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEM IN REAL TIME THROUGH ICONS

Interactions with content on a social networking system are presented in real time using icons. Content items are presented to users of the social networking system by the social networking system. The social networking system receives interactions with a content item from users of the social networking system. In some embodiments, the interactions comprise users liking the content item, posting a comment on the content item, and sharing the content item with other users. Icons are displayed to users describing an interaction with a content item. The icon may comprise information about the type of the interaction with the content item and which user performed the interaction. In some embodiments, icons are presented to users based on a measure of affinity of the user for the interaction. In some embodiments, a user can select the icon to see the interaction with the content item.