{"id":175197,"date":"2019-11-15T18:37:01","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T10:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geek.com\/featured\/-1810631\/"},"modified":"2019-11-15T18:37:01","modified_gmt":"2019-11-15T10:37:01","slug":"instagram-tests-hiding-likes-across-the-globe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/test\/wordpress\/2019\/11\/15\/instagram-tests-hiding-likes-across-the-globe\/","title":{"rendered":"Instagram Tests Hiding Likes Across the Globe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo Credit: Sarah Palmer \/ Instagram<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Instagram is expanding its test of private like counts globally.<\/span><\/p>\n

Users included in the trial will no longer see like and view numbers on other people’s posts\u2014just their own photos and videos.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Facebook-owned platform has already piloted the function in seven countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

“While the feedback from early testing in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand has been positive, this is a fundamental change,” Instagram wrote in a series of tweets<\/a> this week.<\/span><\/p>\n

“And so we’re continuing our test to learn more from our global community,” it added.<\/span><\/p>\n

I’ll admit to feeling a rush of excitement every time I see that wee red dot below Instagram’s heart icon, notifying me that someone (or, fingers crossed, <\/span>someones<\/span><\/i>) liked my post.<\/span><\/p>\n

But I also know that using social media for validation\u2014comparing my collection<\/a> of likes, comments, and follows to anyone else\u2014isn’t healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n

And Instagram seems to be catching on, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a spokesperson explained to TechCrunch<\/a>, the photo-and-video-sharing service wants its app to be “a place people feel comfortable expressing themselves”; where folks can focus on content rather than counts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Instagram expands its test of private like counts globally (via Instagram)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Users can still see the total number of likes, as well as an inventory of admirers, by tapping on the list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Observers, however, will be privy to only a few names of mutual friends who liked a post. You could tap through to view everyone, but would need to manually count each individual to satiate your hunger for competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

The expansion, which may or may not eventually roll out to all ‘Grammers, has raised concerns among influencers, many of whom rely on like counts to earn rewards.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We understand that like counts are important for many creators,” according to the firm’s tweets. “And we are actively thinking through ways for creators to communicate value to their partners.”<\/span><\/p>\n

At last week’s Wired25 event, CEO Adam Mosseri announced<\/a> that Instagram “will make decisions that hurt the business if they help people’s well-being and health.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Facebook reportedly considered hiding the Like counter<\/a> on News Feed posts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Data miner Jane Manchun Wong in September spotted the change in the social network’s Android app. According to a blog post detailing the as-yet-unreleased function, a list of people’s reactions remains visible, but total counts are concealed from everyone other than the content creator.<\/span><\/p>\n

The social media giant later confirmed to TechCrunch that it is considering testing the removal of like counts.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Experimental features could come and go,” Wong said at the time. “But I am certain hiding the public like counts will be beneficial to the digital wellbeing of a large chunk of users.”<\/span><\/p>\n

More on Geek.com:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n