The question of whether Instagram eliminated the visible tally of user approval has been a subject of widespread discussion. Specifically, it refers to the action, or perceived action, of the social media platform Instagram potentially ceasing to display the number of likes a post receives to other users. In some regions, the like count was hidden by default, requiring users to take extra steps to view it, while in others, users were given the option to hide their own like counts.
The significance of this lies in its potential impact on user behavior, mental health, and the overall social media landscape. The visibility of these counts often drove content creation strategies, with users striving for higher engagement to gain validation and visibility. Hiding these tallies aimed to reduce social comparison and pressure associated with seeking approval through likes, potentially fostering a more authentic and less competitive online environment. The origins of the experiment stemmed from concerns about the detrimental effects of social media metrics on users’ well-being.
