Instagram is expanding its test of private like counts globally.
Users included in the trial will no longer see like and view numbers on other people’s posts—just their own photos and videos.
The Facebook-owned platform has already piloted the function in seven countries.
“While the feedback from early testing in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand has been positive, this is a fundamental change,” Instagram wrote in a series of tweets this week.
“And so we’re continuing our test to learn more from our global community,” it added.
I’ll admit to feeling a rush of excitement every time I see that wee red dot below Instagram’s heart icon, notifying me that someone (or, fingers crossed, someones) liked my post.
But I also know that using social media for validation—comparing my collection of likes, comments, and follows to anyone else—isn’t healthy.
And Instagram seems to be catching on, too.
As a spokesperson explained to TechCrunch, the photo-and-video-sharing service wants its app to be “a place people feel comfortable expressing themselves”; where folks can focus on content rather than counts.
Instagram expands its test of private like counts globally (via Instagram)
Users can still see the total number of likes, as well as an inventory of admirers, by tapping on the list.
Observers, however, will be privy to only a few names of mutual friends who liked a post. You could tap through to view everyone, but would need to manually count each individual to satiate your hunger for competition.
The expansion, which may or may not eventually roll out to all ‘Grammers, has raised concerns among influencers, many of whom rely on like counts to earn rewards.
“We understand that like counts are important for many creators,” according to the firm’s tweets. “And we are actively thinking through ways for creators to communicate value to their partners.”
At last week’s Wired25 event, CEO Adam Mosseri announced that Instagram “will make decisions that hurt the business if they help people’s well-being and health.”
Facebook reportedly considered hiding the Like counter on News Feed posts.
Data miner Jane Manchun Wong in September spotted the change in the social network’s Android app. According to a blog post detailing the as-yet-unreleased function, a list of people’s reactions remains visible, but total counts are concealed from everyone other than the content creator.
The social media giant later confirmed to TechCrunch that it is considering testing the removal of like counts.
“Experimental features could come and go,” Wong said at the time. “But I am certain hiding the public like counts will be beneficial to the digital wellbeing of a large chunk of users.”
More on Geek.com:
- Instagram Gives Users More Control Over Third-Party Apps
- Sorry, Stalkers: Instagram Ditches ‘Following’ Activity Tab
- Instagram ‘Restrict’ Tool Makes It Easy to Block Bullies
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