One of the most common interpretations of a blue heart online is sympathy. People use it to show they’re sorry something happened, that they care, and that they’re standing with the person affected.
Solidarity is closely related. In group contexts—community pages, public comment sections, or activist spaces—a blue heart can function like a lightweight “I support this” marker. It doesn’t always carry the same “sad” weight as a black heart, but it still communicates care.
In comment threads, you may also see blue hearts used to moderate tone. Someone might not have a solution, but they want to be seen as kind, consistent, and supportive.