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INSTAGRAM IS TESTING a new feature in Ireland from today which will see the total number of likes on posts hidden.
In May the company began testing this new feature in Canada, explaining it wanted followers to focus on the photos and videos they shared and not on how many likes they get.
Now the trial is being extended to Irish users. People using the platform will still be able to see how many people – and who – have liked their own posts by clicking into their likes.
However users will not be able to see numbers of likes on posts that are not their own.
Instagram said it does not want the platform to “feel like a competition” and it wants to see if the change will help users to focus less on likes and more on telling their stories.
Commenting on the test, Tara Hopkins, head of public policy EMEA at Instagram said the company wants people to feel comfortable expressing themselves.
“This includes helping people to focus on the photos and videos they share, not how many likes they get,” she said.
“We are now rolling the test out to more countries so we learn more from our global community and see how this can benefit people’s experiences on Instagram.”
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Couldn’t they roll out just hiding Instagram altogether?
@GrahamMManning: and hide YouSnapTweetFace in the process too.
@GrahamMManning: They already did. It’s called ignoring. But that wouldn’t allow you post an unwitty comment desperate for thumbs up. Oh, the irony.
@Dave Harris: on the money.
@Dave Harris: savage!!
@Dave Harris: would you like a saucer of milk?
Accordion to scientists, 98% of Instagram users are unlikely to notice it, when random musical instruments are inserted into sentences.
@Paraic: change the word scientists to ‘boffins’ and you’ve got yourself a career in journalism
@BarronVonVaderHam: Indeed, I’m sure that I could make a lot of lute.
@Paraic: you never know unless you triangle…… too far
@BarronVonVaderHam: You sir are a bassoon!
To add, this is a sinister play to filter away liked comments. Findings have shown users tend to go straight to the comments section to view other opinions. So it’s a way of making it impossible to gain census on a topic (I.e. control of public opinion)
@TheFreeSpeechParty: Sound man! You get a thumbs up from me!
@TheFreeSpeechParty: say it ain’t so! So these ‘findings’ have people ‘going straight to the comments secton’ to ‘view the other opinions’ (presumably not reading the article) but by removing say a comments section the “insert mysterious benifactor” are controlling public opinion. Ehhh? Good!, I suppose.
What will all the ‘instahuns’ who stand in front of doors do now?
@Ozmond: instahuns ha ha ha ha ha!! Brilliant phrase! We all know a few!!
controlling opinions now
@Robert Phelan: that’s just your opinion
@BarronVonVaderHam: Don’t like it? Then go set up your own photos application, nobody’s stopping you. Free choice really.
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: sorry, wasn’t meant for you Barron .. the other lad obv’s ;-)
Maybe Instagram could “like” start acting ethically and responsibly by stop allowing their platform to be used to sell illegal counterfeit products such as raybans etc. Obviously they are far more interested in profits than ethics to allow illegal fakes on their site. Disgraceful that they actual condone criminals on their site by allowing the ads.
I can still see the number of likes on other people’s posts.
@Ed: me too
Will lose an awful lot of traffic
@Cathal: they didn’t lose any traffic in Canada over it, and received mostly positive feedback. Hence the decision to roll it out in Ireland.
@Brian Ó Dálaigh: how did our little experiment go in Canada?.. Sir, We’re losing lots of users and have received only negative feedback….. Hmmmm I see, roll it out in Ireland…. But sir!!…. Roll. It. Out.
This is a good idea I agree
Ahhh poor snow flakes!
Wow people of Ireland how does it feel to be Lab rats for social experiments for Facebook!!!
So what will the girlos do now?? Eat their food instead of taking pictures??
Just like the “If a tree falls in a forest…” philosophical thought,”if an influencer Insta picture doesn’t get a like, does it even exist”..
Nobody cares.. bore off
This already exists, it’s called Vsco and it has been around for a while…
Ahhh poor snowflakes!
have your say