Instagram is launching a small global test on Wednesday where users can choose whether to hide like counts on their own posts or other people’s posts, a Facebook spokeswoman said.
The company further said this latest test came after seeing mixed responses to its experiments in which it removed likes, commonly used as a measure of popularity.
Facebook is also exploring a similar experience which will roll out in the coming weeks, the company stated, in response to users calling for more controls over how they interact with content on the platform. Facebook has previously tested hiding likes on others’ posts in Australia.
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Last month, Instagram accidentally hid likes for a large number of users in what was meant to be a small test, garnering strong reactions. Garnering strong reactions.
Some users viewed it as an important step for users’ mental health, while others saw it as catastrophic for creators partnering with brands. Likes are expressed through pressing a heart-shaped icon on a user’s post.
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Some users viewed it as an important step for users’ mental health, while others saw it as catastrophic for creators partnering with brands. Likes are expressed through pressing a heart-shaped icon on a user’s post.
Users in the Instagram test will still be able to privately see their own like count.
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The test will involve a small percentage of global users, but the company declined to say how many.
The company said it started hiding like counts for a small group of people to understand if it lessens some pressure when posting to Instagram in 2019,” the company said in a statement.
Stating further that Some people found it beneficial while others still wanted to see like counts so they could track what’s popular.”