Facebook considering hiding like counts on users’ News Feeds
It looks like Instagram might not be the only social media platform ditching likes as parent company Facebook says they might also get rid of like counts in the News Feed.
Instagram is currently testing hiding its like counts in 7 countries including Canada because they want to users to “focus on the photos and videos (they) share, not how many likes they get.”
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Now, it seems like Facebook could follow suit very soon. Tech expert Jane Manchun Wong, who reverse engineers many apps to see what companies have in store, made the discovery.
Wong revealed that Facebook is testing hidden Like counts in the Android App.
Facebook is working to hide like counts, too!https://t.co/WnUrM12aZg
Tip @Techmeme pic.twitter.com/TdT73wT6A0
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) September 2, 2019
After Wong’s tweet, Facebook confirmed to TechCrunch that they are considering removings Likes, but it isn’t live for users.
Even though Facebook has yet to share the results of the Instagram tests, it seems as though it might be positive since they are considering doing it on their other major platform as well.
Instagram’s testing allows for the user to see their own total likes on a post, but it is hidden from their followers.
The head of Instagram Adam Mosseri told Buzzfeed that the test was about “creating a less pressurized environment where people feel comfortable expressing themselves” and focus less on like counts.
“We do hear people worry about how many like counts they get,” Mosseri said.
More tech news
Facebook is reportedly working on a new app for Instagram that would utilize a private messaging function like Snapchat.
This is far from the first time Facebook has taken inspiration from Snapchat, considering the app replicated the Stories feature for Facebook and Instagram.
The new app called Threads would mirror some of Instagram’s messaging features, but it will be separate from the app. The idea is to give users a destinated space to communicate with their close contacts instead of their entire friends’ list.
On the app, users can send private messages to friends and update their status. It could also potentially implement location technology similarly to Snapchat’s Maps features.
Facebook has previously attempted to create a separate Instagram app from private messaging, but they abandoned it because users conveyed they did not like the idea of switching back and forth between apps.
It’s unclear when Threads would be available for users.
What do you think of Facebook possibly hiding like counts? Sound off in the comments down below!
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