Obsessed with how many likes you get on your Instagram grid?
Things have just changed… As of today, Instagram have rolled out a test they began in Canada in May and it seems they’ve already brought it to Ireland. Owned by Facebook, the Social Media titan that is Instagram, has conducted this trial in six countries – meaning you will no longer be able to see the number of likes other people’s posts receive.
What does this mean?
As of today, Instagram have hidden from public view the total number of likes a post gets.
The aim is to urge Instagrammers to focus on content instead of the amount of likes a post gets, which (they hope) will make Instagram feel less competitive amongst its users. The total number of views a Video gets will also be hidden from public view.
If you post a photo or video yourself, you will still be able to see your stats – but they won’t be publicly viewable anymore.
Why Did They Make This Change?
Instagram said they wanted to learn about how the change would affect user’s experience of the service. They also said it wanted to ease pressure on users, following criticism about its impacts on mental health.
“We want Instagram to be a place where people feel comfortable expressing themselves. This includes helping people to focus on the photos and videos they share, not how many likes they get,” Tara Hopkins, Head of Public Policy, EMEA at Instagram said. “We are now rolling the test out to more countries so we learn more from our global community and see how this can benefit people’s experiences on Instagram.” (Source: The Irish Times)
