Instagram recently made the decision to remove the number count of likes that was once visible underneath users photos. Now, you can see the number of likes on your own photos, but others cannot. The only thing still visible is the usernames of the likers.
An example of what the new update looks like
Instagram has been testing this new format for months in Canada, Australia, Brazil and other countries. The new format is now worldwide, however only select users have the update.
In an interview a spokesperson for Instagram stated, “While the feedback from early testing has been positive, this is a fundamental change to Instagram, and so we’re continuing our test to learn more from our global community.”
This change completely changes the way social media influencers use Instagram and in turn they now have to adapt to the new format. The number of likes is important to many influencers, as a high amount of likes on an image often draws more followers.
However, taking out the number of likes from Instagram brings up an even bigger conversation. Will this help with the negative impacts social media has on people’s overall wellbeing? In a statement, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri stated that “We will make decisions that hurt the business if they help people’s well-being and health.”
Removing the number count for likes on Instagram hopefully means that content will now be the focus instead of how many likes someone has or doesn’t have.
Instagram has yet to decide whether this change will be a permanent one or not.