Instagram – when will likes be removed and why are they going?
STORIES about Instagram likes being removed have gone viral again. But are they really going? Here’s our lowdown… When will likes be removed? Likes are not being removed for UK Instagram users. Stories about likes being removed relate to a series of temporary trials around the world – and they won’t affect all users. The […]
STORIES about Instagram likes being removed have gone viral again.
But are they really going? Here’s our lowdown…
When will likes be removed?
Likes are not being removed for UK Instagram users.
Stories about likes being removed relate to a series of temporary trials around the world – and they won’t affect all users.
The UK is not yet one of the trial countries.
A randomised group of Instagram users will be unable to see how many total likes they have received – but it will be a fraction of global users.
And they there aren’t even being fully removed – users will still be able to see a list of them on their posts, just not the overall number.
The aim of the trial is to create a “less pressurised environment where people feel comfortable expressing themselves”.
But executives say it doesn’t mean the end of influencers because brands and businesses can still see how many views and likes they get.
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Why are they going?
Facebook Australia and New Zealand director of policy, Mia Garlick, said Instagram should be a place where people feel comfortable expressing themselves, rather than being judged.
She said: “We hope this test will remove the pressure of how many likes a post will receive, so you can focus on sharing the things you love.
“We are now rolling the test out to Australia so we can learn more about how this can benefit people’s experiences on Instagram, and whether this change can help people focus less on likes and more on telling their story.”