Facebook and Instagram are introducing a new feature designed to enhance the social media experience for their users. Beginning today, users on both platforms can opt to hide the number of likes on their own posts. Additionally, you have the ability to conceal like counts on other users’ posts—meaning if you feel a twinge of envy when someone’s picture of their breakfast receives more likes than yours, you can eliminate that frustration.
This feature is entirely optional. If you enjoy seeing your like count rise, you can continue to do so. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, emphasized that this change aims to improve user experience. “We want you to feel good about the time you spend on our apps, and this is a way to give you more control over your experience,” he tweeted.
Both platforms have been contemplating this change since around 2019. In a blog post on Instagram’s site, the company expressed its desire to “depressurize” the time spent on the app. They noted that feedback from users and experts indicated that not seeing like counts could be beneficial for some, while others found it frustrating because they rely on the counts to gauge what is trending or popular. Therefore, they are offering users the choice.
Interestingly, Instagram inadvertently launched this feature for all users back in March, resulting in mixed reactions. Some users welcomed the idea, hoping it would encourage a more authentic sharing experience rather than posting solely for likes. However, others questioned the purpose of social media without the validation from peers.
While the notion sounds admirable in theory, one must wonder if it will play out as intended. Will hiding likes become a new status symbol? Will teenagers label those who leave likes visible as “cheugy”? Likely!
How to Experiment with This Feature
To experiment with this feature on your posts, simply click on the post, then select the three dots in the upper right corner. The option to hide likes will be available. To hide likes on others’ posts, navigate to Settings and find the same option under “New Posts.”
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In summary, Facebook and Instagram have introduced an optional feature allowing users to hide like counts on posts, fostering a more personalized social media experience. While this move aims to reduce the pressure of likes, the real impact on user behavior and social validation remains to be seen.