Instagram Has Begun Hiding "Likes" For Some Australian Users

If you had dreams of becoming an influencer, prepare for them to be crushed.

This is a Code Red.

Okay, it’s not really, but the internet seems to think so. The cause for alarm came from an announcement that Instagram made this morning, when they revealed they will test hiding the total number of likes from some users in select countries.

This is how posts will appear with the changes.

The trial aims to remove the pressure associated with likes. As Instagram put it, "We want your friends to focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get."

It also means that influencers and small businesses will have to focus more on engagement and creating creative content.

Isn’t that warm and fuzzy?

It’s all about wellbeing.

Of course, it comes as no surprise that Instagram would eventually trial this kind of change. Having copped criticism from mental health experts in the past for promoting unattainable lifestyles, the social media giant recently introduced a new anti-bullying feature using artificial intelligence.

The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, said in a blogpost, "We can do more to prevent bullying from happening on Instagram, and we can do more to empower the targets of bullying to stand up for themselves."

With the increasing pressure to care about the wellbeing of users, this change could certainly be a step in the right direction, and some people totally agree.

Love this idea and think it’ll help with mental health and the anxieties of social media

— 🌸ARIEL🌸 (@ariel_saranghae) July 18, 2019

But, what about chronological order?

Here’s the thing though. Users are losing it over the fact that Instagram has introduced yet another change, when they have been begging the app to restore chronological order. Since the current algorithm favours the accounts you engage with the most, users complain that they do not see all posts from people they follow.

Additionally, users are not-so-calmly suggesting Instagram work on preventing the app from crashing so much as well.

FOR THE 4TH TIME THIS MONTH FIX YOUR APP

— Rawnak (@rawnakkkk) July 17, 2019

At this stage, it is not clear how long the test will run for. But hey, at least we won’t have to see as many acai bowls for the time being.

Header Image: E!