Instagram has recently announced that it will expand its test of hide like counts on posts feature globally. This follows an announcement last week that the test would be expanding to the US as soon as this week. The company has been testing the feature in seven different countries already.
So the users whose accounts will be included in the test, will not be able to see like counts on other peoples posts, but will be able to see them on their own, according to a tweet from Instagram.
This is how the tests have worked in other countries. The tweet included a notice that test participants will see in the app:
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
Though this seems like a good move to de-incentivize Instagram users from making posts designed only to garner likes, the like counts are important for some users as a way to prove the value of their posts to advertisers or potential partners.
In an another tweet Instagram acknowledges it by saying that it is actively considering other ways creators can communicate value to their partners.
In addition, we understand that like counts are important for many creators, and we are actively thinking through ways for creators to communicate value to their partners.
— Instagram (@instagram) November 14, 2019
