If you've ever listened in to a conversation among a bunch of keen Instagram users you'll have noticed that the discussion tends to circle a lot more around likes and follower numbers than the actual images and content that is being posted.

It looks like Instagram has identified this focus on stats as a problem and it was recently revealed that the company is considering hiding the like count on images and other content.

Instagram is testing hiding like count from audiences,

as stated in the app: "We want your followers to focus on what you share, not how many likes your posts get" pic. twitter. com/MN7woHowVN

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) April 18, 2019

Now a field-test has been launched with users in Canada who won't be able to see like numbers on the photos of accounts they are following during the next several days. You can still see the likes on your own content, though.

At its F8 developer conference Instagram parent company Facebook confirmed that it is considering a roll-out to its entire platform. In the affected accounts a message is displayed to make users aware of the test.

'We want your followers to focus on what you share, not how many likes your posts get. During this test, only you will be able to see the total number of likes on your posts. '

The fact that Instagram likes are an important currency in the social media influencer industry has likely contributed to the obsession with the metric and resulted in people trying to cheat the system and followers being offered for payment.

Instagram's attempts to keep those kind of activities under control and put the focus back on content can only be a good thing but if the latest test will be expanded to all users will likely depend on the reaction of the users in Canada.

2019-5-3 19:19