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To Like or not to Like – Instagram will let you choose

To Like or not to Like? Instagram has now started tests letting users choose what works best for them: see the Like counts on others’ posts, or not. Users can also choose to turn off Like counts on their own posts. Facebook – owner of Instagram – said it will make similar tests on its own social network.

The background to earlier tests with hiding Like counts was to reduce pressure and embarrassment caused to users not getting many Likes. This was considered to be a problem especially for Instagram’s  younger users.

However, tests showed some people still wanted to see Like counts so they could track what was trending and popular. This was an argument especially valid for commercial users like influencers.

So, after mixed results of earlier tests, Instagram is now letting users decide. The new test will be enabled for a small percentage of users globally on Instagram, the company said.

Users in the test will still be able to privately see their own like count.

Facebook said the company will start its own tests within weeks.

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