Instagram is experimenting with a feature that makes the number of likes invisible

Instagram is testing a feature that will make the number of likes on a post invisible to the account’s followers. This should ensure that users focus more on the message itself and less on the number of likes. The function has not yet been activated.

The ability to hide the like counter in Instagram was discovered by Twitter user Jane Manchun Wong, who passed on her invention to TechCrunch. She noticed the feature in the Android app’s code and managed to take some screenshots. It shows that the like-counter is missing for a post, but that some profile photos and names of followers who like the post are still shown. Only the person who posted the message will see the total number of likes.

An Instagram spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that there is indeed experimentation with a hide feature: “The feature is not currently visible to the public, so we are not officially testing yet. However, we are constantly looking at how we can reduce the pressure on Instagram. “.

For example, thanks to a hide function, users no longer have to worry about the number of likes, or whether they are performing better or worse than their friends, according to the social network. The feature could also motivate users to post more authentic stuff, rather than posting posts solely for likes.

Twitter is currently working on a similar feature that will allow users to hide the replies to their tweets. According to the message service, users can thus better guard against toxic reactions or discussions that threaten to get completely out of hand, as a result of which the message of the original tweet can be lost.

Screenshot: Jane Manchun Wong