Instagram Testing to Hide Post Likes
Instagram was first introduced in 2010 since the success of this photo-sharing platform has been measured almost entirely by the number of likes received per post. Even though many have criticized the societal value given to a photo with 100k likes versus one that had 10 likes. Getting more likes for a post on Instagram has an important objective for many users. Snapchat’s major feature wherein users could upload photos and videos to their profiles that would disappear in 24 hours, same as In 2016, Instagram Stories were introduced and this increases the app as more authentic.
In November 2019, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri announced that the Instagram social media platform would start hiding the number of likes displayed underneath posts. At first, likes will only be hiding for certain Instagram users as a test of the feature.
Why Instagram Removing Likes?
A recent survey says Facebook and Instagram affect the mental health of teenagers and young adults. A survey from TIME said that almost 1,500 British young people showed that Instagram was considered the worst social media network for health and wellbeing, associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
The idea is trying to depressurize Instagram users’ especially young people to remove the mindset of getting more likes for their post and give people more space to focus on connecting with the new people, things that inspire them.
This move was being made to improve the emotional and mental health of Instagram users. By removing Instagram likes, we can put a 15-year-old kid’s interests before a public speaker’s interest,” Mosseri said.
To everyone it’s important to note that Instagram is not removing likes; it’s hiding them from your public profile which means anyone won’t see your post likes except you.
What does Instagram look like without likes?
The hidden likes feature will only display one username likely an account you and the user posting both follow — followed by “and others.”
Here are the current measurements determined by IG:
- Below 100 likes will displayed as “others”
- Below 1,000 likes post will be displayed as “hundreds of others”
- Below 100,000 likes post will be displayed as “thousands of others”
- Below 1,000,000 likes post may be displayed as “hundreds of thousands of others”
Anyone can click on the “others” to see the names of people who liked the post, and, if you’re want to know the number of likes that your post received, you can manually count.
When is Instagram Going to Remove All Likes?
Instagram is still only in the testing phase of removing likes. This Instagram hide likes feature was first tested countries like Brazil, Italy, Japan Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand in July 2019 before introducing it to its American users in late November 2019. Not everyone is affected, but hidden likes will likely expand to more and more users in the upcoming years.
At first, those who were a part of the testing group received a banner notification on their home feeds to make them aware of the removal of likes from the public view.
The major cons of removing likes on Instagram, if an account is posting authentic content and making an effort to engage and interact with their followers, because of this feature the post may not get enough reach from niche users.
Still, seeing likes on Instagram?
If you’re still seeing the number of likes on the Instagram post, then there’s a chance of Instagram hiding likes feature hasn’t reached your area yet. Firstly it was tested some regions in United States Instagram users post likes were hidden. It was expanding this new version of the app to a small percentage of each country across the globe. So even if you’re still seeing the number of likes, but probably won’t for a much longer time.
