Instagram is planning to expand the test of hiding like counts outside of the US.
Instagram took to Twitter to announce the latest development.
According to Instagram, the feedback from early testing in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan and New Zealand has been positive.
Earlier this week, Instagram started testing hiding like counts for some users in the US. It all started with Instagram testing hiding like counts on the app in Canada in May and added six more countries, namely, Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and Japan in July this year. The latest development comes straight from Instagram that has announced it is expanding the test globally.
Instagram took to Twitter to announce that it is expanding the test of private like counts, globally. If your account is part of the test, you will receive an in-app notification from Instagram and you won’t be able to see like counts on other peoples’ posts. However, likes count on your own post will be visible to you.
According to Instagram, the feedback from early testing in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan and New Zealand has been positive. The company states that it is a fundamental change to Instagram. Hence, it is continuing the test to learn more from its global community. Further, the company says that it is “actively thinking through ways for creators to communicate value to their partners.”
Instagram’s parent company is also testing hiding like reactions in Australia. It was spotted by reverse engineering master Jane Manchun Wong. A code was found inside the Android app of Facebook that hides the number of likes on a post from everyone but the poster.
It is said that by hiding like counts, users might feel less anxious about the perceived popularity of their content. Wong wrote in a blog post, “Studies have shown that social media use may influence mental health, including leading to depression and anxiety."
Starting today, we’re expanding our test of private like counts globally. If you’re in the test, you’ll no longer see the total number of likes and views on photos and videos posted to Feed unless they’re your own. pic.twitter.com/DztSH0xiq2
— Instagram (@instagram) November 14, 2019
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Prakhar Khanna
I write about tech stuff and tell (stupid) jokes View Full Profile
