Instagram to try banning likes everywhere as test rolls out globally
Feature is aimed at making app a healthier place to be
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Instagram is to try banning likes across the world.
The company has confirmed that its trial of hidden like counts – which had initially run only in select countries – will now be run globally.
Not everyone will see their likes removed, at least straight away. But the test will be arriving everywhere.
And it appears likely that the change will eventually make it across the world if the test goes well.
Instagram has been hiding likes for some users in some countries since earlier this year. It began in Canada but has since moved out to a wide range of countries, and Facebook has also tried the same in Australia.
After the change, users will be able to see who has liked their post, if they click on the list of likes. But they won't be able to see a count, even in the hidden settings, and the only way to work it out would be to count up the names.
Earlier this week, Instagram boss Adam Mosseri had explained on Twitter that the rollout would be coming to new the US.
"Heads up! We've been testing making likes private on Instagram in a number of countries this year. We're expanding those tests to include a small portion of people in the US next week," he wrote. "Looking forward to the feedback!"
In a follow-up tweet, he explained that the change was aimed at making Instagram a more healthy place to be.
"Our interest in hiding likes really is just to depressurize Instagram for young people. It'll likely effect how much some people engage on Instagram, probably liking a bit less and posting a bit more, but the main thing we're trying to learn is how this effects how people feel."
In another tweet, he addressed the fact that likes can be an important tool to measure the engagement on a post so that influencers and marketers know how many people their picture has reached. Mr Mosseri said the company would be watching the situation and hoped to improve the ecosystem so that those people would have other ways of understanding the popularity of their posts.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments