Instagram tests hidden likes for more users and they're freaking out     DATE: 2024-09-21 04:34:45

Instagram’s rolled out their latest feature update in a number of key markets, making like counts on posts visible only to the account holder.

After an initial test in Canada from April, the company expanded the feature to Australia, Ireland, Brazil, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand across the course of Thursday.

The official line is that it's designed to "reduce pressure” on users and increase focus on the content itself, rather than the numbers it generates.'

"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," the company tweeted.

SEE ALSO:Instagram's new 'restrict' feature blocks bullies without them knowing

As expected, people took to Twitter to share how they feel about it — possibly just because they’re already suffering heart-count withdrawal, and Twitter faves are very much still a thing.

Not everyone was a fan, with the topic trending worldwide within a few hours.

Won’t somebody please think of the influencers?

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But plenty of people were loving it already, whether it was for the cleaner look or the freedom from the shame of unloved content.

The positive effect it could have on mental health, especially for younger users, was noted:

While others were plotting alternate methods for propping up their fragile egos.

Others pointed out that the motivations may (and this may shock you) be less than pure.

And yes, the now-mandatory chorus of CEASE THIS MADNESS AND GIVE US THE CHRONOLOGICAL TIMELINE BACK.

Fortunately, there’s still a way to make sure everyone knows your thirst traps are working: just get the numbers out there manually.

Or just, y’know, lie.

Of course, even if this change is rolled out permanently across the whole platform, likes themselves aren’t actually going anywhere — the only thing being removed is the number displayed publicly. You can still see whether your shot of the epic #sydneysunset on your commute home got 15 likes or 500 — you just won’t know whether that’s more or fewer than the 17 identical ones your friends posted.

In other words, for individual users, the dopamine hit of the number stays, but the ego blow of seeing other people’s is less of an issue for those who are susceptible to such things.

But it’s interesting to note how many people feel that if their likes aren’t publicly visible, they may as well not be there at all.

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