Why is Instagram removing likes?

My personal opinion is that Instagram has one reason and one reason only for hiding likes publicly: money. Hiding engagement is meant to deter brands & agencies from working directly with influencers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world...-is-trialling-removing-likes-on-some-us-posts

IG is owned by FB, what do you expect.

And FB is owned by CIA.

It could be another counterattack to the SMM panel industry. All sales for views and likes would drop dramatically. Taking away a factor that can be bought easily that gives a boost to social proof

Because the number of likes became value specially between young people. If I have more likes I'm the winner. Instagram want to change it to push people toward the right value not number of likes.

Social network without likes is not a social network. I think they are going to test it on US users for a while.

there rumours that all stats will be shown to the account holder, not the public.

not being removed just not shown to viewers.

The average user on Instagram (again were talking average users) are common folk who want to post photos of their mundane lives. There are times where folks post a photo to only it delete it because it didn’t get enough “attention” in their eyes. Wonder what the stat on that is? Instagram doesn’t want you to delete photos... it goes against their business model which is keeping you on the app. Again ig is a business and to be a somewhat successful business you need to cater to the main meat of the players/users. Not just the top tier ppl who happen to make an earning from posting ads in their profiles..... What’s the percentage of Instagram accounts that actually get to do that? Micro.

Despite that crap, IG removing likes is actually a good thing mentally for all humans... there is literally no reason a stranger needs to see how many likes on a photo someone else has. Why do you need to ‘compare your worth’ over someone else on the platform because their photos have more likes? Again the average user here. Teens. Early adults. Depression. Needing to be better than the rest etc. this all ultimately does play a role in the longevity of Instagram. If Instagram doesn’t make this move, another platform will come along to do it successfully.

Do you want to be apart of a community where everyone’s content is seen equal (can’t see likes) by the stranger/viewer or do you want to be apart of a community where you have arbitrary numbers sitting below a photo that sway/infiltrate your mind.

The user who is posting content will still be able to see their stats. They can still screenshot their stats to “prove their influence.” The main problem is that most users on Instagram aren’t actually using Instagram. Instagram is using them. Instagram is sucking them into the hole like television did for so many. The folks who are actually using Instagram, are the ones who are making money from it & they think If someone doesn’t see that I’m worth xxx,xxx more likes than her/him how will they know how cool/worthy I am? Nobody really cares if you have good content and that’s what it always ultimately boils down to. Have GOOD, consistent, relatable content and ppl will come.

Yeah , ig will loose alot of influencers after hiding likes

We have an intense discussion regarding this matter in the office.
The good conclusion is: IG want their user to focus more on the quality of the content rather than number of likes.
But as many others have stated we all knew why. Remove the 3rd person (influencer) and work directly with IG.

Pouya Eti said:

Because the number of likes became value specially between young people. If I have more likes I'm the winner. Instagram want to change it to push people toward the right value not number of likes.

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Exactly, with this updates all minor like whores got buried

Your or anyones opinion doesn't matter as it's closed for good!

You either adapt or you perish

Pouya Eti said:

Because the number of likes became value specially between young people. If I have more likes I'm the winner. Instagram want to change it to push people toward the right value not number of likes.

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That's too good an intention for me to believe that Instagram has it

Because it will put an end to this fake madness. Exchanged likes, SMM likes, people not posting photos because they are afraid of not getting enough likes. People not posting the kind of content they want to post.

I believe removing likes will get people to post a lot more. Less fake garbage.

As a brand owner I do find it a bit more difficult to check which influencers I want to work with though. Although I have many times paid or given free products to some fuck with completely exchanged fake engagement so the numbers are meaningless anyway.

It's not some dumb conspiracy to get people to start spending on money. It doesn't even make sense! It's the best move on their part seeing where things where headed. So much fake bullshit accounts. Blame all the fakers, exchangers and botters for this shit.

Panelable_USA said:

Yeah , ig will loose alot of influencers after hiding likes

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no they wont lmao, people talk a big game but at the end of the day they will keep using Instagram no matter what because that's what they got. Like literally who the f*** cares if someone stopped posting on IG? they will only leave space for new influencers to come and take over their audience lmfao.
Whoever says they'll stop posting on IG, wait a couple of weeks and you'll see them posting again.

Instagram just removed the likes from Instagram. I personally can see how many likes I have. However, when I see other photos posted by other accounts, all I see is ;Liked by x and others.

I honestly can't wait to see the reaction for when this get implemented worldwide.

Fuazii said:

My personal opinion is that Instagram has one reason and one reason only for hiding likes publicly: money

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I have to say I agree with this, cuz FB/IG owner loves money too much. And for the personal accounts, probably, really to avoid some kind of stress likes were removed, while for the business accounts and business owners or shops - more meaningfully is reach and impressions. Those the focus will be shifted on more significant indicators.
And in addition to close SMM panels, cuz IG doesn't like it when someone earns except them. Just remember what they did with masks and how explained it

What's liked, what's not, how much, who likes what and even when are likes given is valuable information and Instagram wants to stop sharing that info for free

Cuz the strawberries are getting mental illnesses (example: depression and becoming suicidal) from not getting enough likes as their self-worth = to number of likes they get.

They just want to cut the 'influencers power' and to redirect people to buy 'more exposure' through ads