In a recently conducted trial, social media site Instagram decided to hide the number of likes in order to ‘remove pressure’ on users. However, people did not take the trial very well.
Instagram users currently can see a total number of people who liked a post. In the trial, the users will only see a user name ‘and others’ below their posts and not the number of likes. However, users can still see the number of likes on their own posts.
The users will still be able to see the list of people who liked other people’s content by clicking on it and counting the number of likes. The test has already been launched in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand.
We want your friends to focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get. You can still see your own likes by tapping on the list of people who've liked it, but your friends will not be able to see how many likes your post has received.
— Instagram (@instagram) July 17, 2019
In its tweet, Instagram gave the reason saying that the test in aimed to remove pressure on how many likes a post would get, hence making users focus more on sharing things they love. This will make users fell less judged and see if ‘this change can help people focus less on likes and more on telling their story’, as per BBC News.
Moreover, where some thought it was a nice move and showed appreciation, the news did not set well with the users and they immediately started expressing their dislike about the trial.
What about the people using it for income? The people who work hard creating content, to then have their hard work not praised/not shown how successful it was to others?? Instead the app ruins the quality and doesn’t show the posts to 90% of followers? #instagramlikes #instagram
— luce (@LucieSeviour) July 17, 2019
When Instagram hides likes, how am I going to see who likes the pictures of my crush? pic.twitter.com/Tok8ks43U6
— Andreww (@AndrewwGrayy) July 17, 2019
NOOOO I JUST GOT THE INSTAGRAM UPDATE WHERE U CAN’T SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE LIKED THE POST pic.twitter.com/6GmJUc7hlT
— (@ghostinreg) July 18, 2019
This would be better if it was optional. Those who want to hide their likes can have the option to hide them, those who don’t want to wont need to. You already give us this option for comments, why not likes?
— Elizabeth Villalobos (@_elizabethdrea) July 18, 2019
I think the #instagramlikes thing is a huge mistake. If you can't see likes you are far less likely to 'like' an image. That reduces interaction, which is death for an interactive platform.
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) July 18, 2019
Influencers and instagram models when they heard the news #instagramlikes pic.twitter.com/lwKUlNxVIi
— Nora'Ivory (@Noraa_ivoryy) July 18, 2019
brands rly boutta start only paying content creators they already have good relationships with. if you're not already established uhhhhhh good luck man
— lil snitch ? (@babysnitchery) July 17, 2019
tbh this is such a healthy step for the young generation #instagramlikes pic.twitter.com/gWDa2eMt8X
— R-June (@rjunation) July 18, 2019
i think i may be the only one who thinks this whole #instagramlikes situation is great. i am definitely guilty of sometimes letting my instagram likes be an indication of my worth, so this feels like a weight off my shoulders.
— ya girl mojo (@dumbidiothumans) July 18, 2019
I hope that #instagramlikes makes people realize that life ain’t a competition.
— MeatPieMark (@MeatPieMark) July 18, 2019
Likes have officially dropped off my Instagram and I really love it. I already feel like I'm not looking for how many people have engaged and I just pay attention to what's written and been posted. #InstagramLikes
— Alex Anastassiou (@alexanasta_) July 18, 2019
Much Needed. Much Needed. Much Needed. pic.twitter.com/3VSUh8s1ee
— Prashant Velhankar (@PrshVelhankar) July 18, 2019