Why Is Instagram Hiding Likes?

Will You Still Repost On Instagram If You Can’t See The Likes? Should it matter to you if your friends can see your Instagram Likes and if you can see theirs?

“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.” @Instagram Tweet

Some users are delighted:

“I hope that Instagram taking away the number of likes allows more people to share things that genuinely makes them happy…” @Mikaelarae on twitter

And some turned to sarcasm:

“Why is Instagram removing likes. HOW am I supposed to know what people like therefore and I should also like, or what people don’t like and therefore I should also not like. ” @AksharPathak

But most are just plain mad and assuming the app has something fishy up its sleeve!

“Instagram is looking for ways to maximize profits”, they say. Others are more cautious and insist:

“This could be really damaging for small/independent/new businesses who use your platform to work from…” @Sophie_Lily_

While it remains to be seen how Instagram eventually plans to retain (grow) revenue and followers with this new strategy, let’s examine how the 3 kinds of Insta users will be affected:

1. The Instagram Influencer – Power is in the Likes!

Won’t be too happy because, well, obviously, power is in the likes. ‘How will potential brand collaborations happen when others can’t see my likes?’

AND

How can competitors see me basking in my ‘post’ glory as likes cross into the 1000’s! How oh how will they even KNOW!

AND

‘How will my followers know which posts to like if they can’t tell the popular posts from the ‘ahem’ ‘loser’ ones?’

By hiding Likes, is Instagram secretly trying to increase engagement?

The app wants us to not just scroll, but comment under posts. Comments won’t be hidden, but Likes will. Is this a move from the company to force influencers to up their game and post more engaging posts? Because, guess what won’t be hidden? Comments!

Instagram won’t be about cool, filtered images but thought- provoking posts that encourage discussion? Think of the positives influencers, and set your brain to the grindstone. Now you’re truly challenged to prove your worth.

This move might actually filter some average accounts and separate the best from the worst to create a space that encourages more interaction and less likes. Isn’t that what we were asking for? A more thoughtful online community? More meaningful discussions? Facebook has it, so does Twitter – Instagram was all about beauty and filters, well guess what, it’s changing now!

2. The Followers – Feeling Lost in the No Numbers game?

“How do I ‘Like’ if I don’t know WHO or WHAT to like?” Hmmm, that’s the whole point! You like what YOU like, and not what someone else likes! get it?

There are many among us who like, repost, comment when they see others doing it. Instagram was becoming a real numbers game. But the company decided to change the narrative.

Perhaps this will lead to more organic reposting, liking and commenting, at least for the unsuspecting online user who simply turns on Instagram to unwind at night or get an early morning dose of inspiration.

3. Big Brands – The Power Lies In My Followers

Not only will small companies and struggling brands be affected, many big brands will have it easier. Many Instagram accounts boast a hefty following yet their posts or Insta stories are no longer engaging, and thus, do not capture the reach reflective of the high numbers they command.

To counteract the effect of smaller companies losing out (as their likes are not visible), what about hiding the total number of Followers for all accounts? What will happen if every Instagram account hides the follower numbers? Hmmm – think on that one for a bit – this opens up possibilities for the smaller players in the game.

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But some people are NOT happy with this decision, because – life is all about competition, and viewing your own, and someone else’s Likes is fun! Hmmm, some nuts are hard to crack, and this one is probably one of them!

The question you want to ask yourself as a non-commercial user is: How important is it to KNOW someone else’s likes? And for someone else to know yours? And if it is important then WHY is that so? Once you know that, you’ll know if you’re a commercial brand or a living, breathing person!

(P.S. If you answer my question above, you’ll know if you ‘Like’ the ‘No Likes” move or not. It is still in a testing phase, so your response might make the difference. Like it or not!)

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