Instagram Rolls Out Testing to Hide Like Count

Imagine a world where you can't keep score of how many likes are on an Instagram post. Well, that world is becoming a reality in Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Italy, Japan and New Zealand, where the popular social media platform is testing their new approach to likes, where the complete count of likes on photos will remain hidden. The testing began in Canada in May.

The Australia and New Zealand Director of Policy for Facebook, which owns Instagram, said in statement, "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.”

Facebook spokesperson Seine Kim said, “We are expanding the test to get a better sense of how the experience resonates with Instagram's global community.”

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri noted that the goal is to help people “worry a little bit less” about their “like” tally and “spend a bit more time connecting with the people that they care about.”

“The Real” discussed the concept of doing away with likes on certain platforms, after Kanye West tweeted suggesting that he would be into participating in social media “without having to show how many followers or likes” he has.

Is he onto something? Jeannie loves the idea, saying, “You should be able to share your life with the world without caring what everybody else thinks or has to say about it.” Tamera sees her Instagram as a loving community, but she admitted she has to train her mind into “not letting the likes and followers define” her or “give her personal approval.”