Instagram Expands on Test That Hides Likes
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, announced on Twitter that Instagram would be expanding its test to hide Like counts on the platform.
Instagram initially started the test in 2019 to “see if it lessens some pressure when posting to Instagram,” but it didn’t give users the freedom to choose whether or not they want to hide Likes—it hid them no matter what.
Now, Instagram wants to give users a choice whether they want to hide Likes or not. “We’re testing a new option that lets you decide the experience that’s best for you—whether that’s choosing not to see like counts on anyone else’s posts, turning them off for your own posts, or keeping the original experience,” Mosseri wrote in a Tweet.
This means that users who are part of the test will now be able to hide Likes on public posts across Instagram, hide Likes on their own posts, or choose not to hide Likes at all. Some users, especially influencers, complained about the restrictiveness of the 2019 test, as it made it harder for them to see what types of posts were the most popular.
Giving users new options when it comes to hiding Likes will not only satisfy influencers who are worried about engagement rates, but also those who feel more comfortable using Instagram without seeing Likes at all.
Additionally, Mosseri noted that Facebook is “exploring a similar experience,” which means that Facebook may be starting a similar test that hides Likes as well. Just like Instagram, Facebook also participated in the 2019 test that hid Likes, and there’s still no word when its new test will begin—Mosseri says that there will be “more to share about this soon.”
Will the Like Button Become a Thing of the Past?
Imagine opening Instagram or Facebook, only to see no thumbs-up or hearts below your friends’ and family members’ posts. It seems like Facebook and Instagram are interested in seeing how hiding Likes plays out, as Like counts can put pressure on users, and may even cause depression or anxiety.
The Like button might not be disappearing altogether, but we may soon see a feature that lets us customize our Like-viewing experience, much like Instagram is testing now.
