Instagram testing public like count removal in US next week, CEO confirms
When discussing Instagram, likes and followers immediately come to the forefront. The photo and video sharing platform seems to have evolved into more of a popularity contest amongst its users.
Well, viewing likes may be a complete thing of the past as the tech giant is testing the removal of the publicly viewable like feature in the United States as early as next week.
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The removal of the public like feature has been tested by Instagram already in places like Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and Canada.
The like feature won’t be removed entirely either. Users will still be able to see how many likes their own pictures received, but that metric will not be displayed to the public.
“It’s about young people,” Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri said during a chat hosted by Wired. “The idea is to try and depressurize Instagram, make it less of a competition, give people more space to focus on connecting with the people that they love, things that inspire them.”
Only a limited number of accounts will be affected by the initial test rollout; which we can expect by next week. Check out how blink-182 founder Mark Hoppus and some other people are reacting below.
HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO FEEL VALIDATION OR SELF-WORTH NOW?! https://t.co/WX7xmtfOix
— thnx fr th gvng (@markhoppus) November 9, 2019
Instagram is removing (public) likes starting next week, so you think this is a good idea?
Personally I think it will lead to authentically liking content you actually enjoy rather than catering, even subconsciously, to what is “popular” to like.
I think it can only help ??
— TELLE SMITH (@tellesmith) November 9, 2019
If Instagram gets rid of likes half of Los Angeles will be out of business
— TA (@talter) November 9, 2019
The concept of instagram likes is so fucked up. All it does it show you who’s more “important” than the other.
— ? (@IDK) November 9, 2019
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Instagram should give you the choice to hide your likes if you would like to.. the app shouldn’t force you to do it.
— Skai (@skaijackson) November 9, 2019
Too many folks “living for the ‘Gram”… If you genuinely love what you do, you’ll do it regardless of whether Instagram likes are public or not ???
— Sowmya Krishnamurthy (@SowmyaK) November 9, 2019
Metrics will still be available to the user so this will be great for social media influencers with real engagement when showing their media kit. This move is to make Instagram a safer place and to stop users from allowing “likes” to dictate their content.
— Karen Civil ?? (@KarenCivil) November 9, 2019
Well, how do you feel about the removal of the public to view your likes? Tell us below.
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