To help users reduce the pressure of social media and improve experiences, Instagram is enabling users to hide the number of likes they receive on the platform.
The tech giant has been testing the tool in several countries since 2019 but is now rolling it out globally. Although it took longer than they had hoped, the ability to have more control over the experience is welcomed by many.
When the feature is enabled, users will no longer see the number of likes a post has but instead the username of a follower who has liked the post, “and others”.
Although Instagram has said that during their testing, they discovered removing likes had little impact on behavior and wellbeing, social media has the ability to easily create toxic experiences. With the rollout of the new tool, users will be able to place more focus on the experience and as a result feel better about the time they spend on the platform.
How to Activate it
The new feature can easily be switched on or off at any time. In order to change it, all you need to do is follow 3 easy steps:
- Navigate to settings
- Select the new Posts section
- Select ‘Hide Like and View Counts’
If users have Like Counts enabled, they will not be able to see the amount of likes on other accounts where users have selected to hide them.
“What one person wants from their Instagram experience is different from the next, and people’s needs are changing. We’ve been working closely with third-party experts to better understand how to empower people, build self-awareness and shape a more positive experience on Instagram.”
