Instagram Starts Removing Post Like Counts In 6 More Countries

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After testing hiding total post likes in Canada, Instagram is now expanding its test to several other counties, starting with Australia this week.

To take the social pressure off of users who do everything they do for the number of likes on their posts, Instagram launched a test in May that removed the total number of likes from posts. Of course, the users who posted something could still see the total, but the test essentially takes away the “vanity” element of post likes.

According to reports, Instagram is now expanding the test to a host of other countries, starting with Australia this week.

We’re currently running a test that hides the total number of likes and video views for some people in the following countries:
✅ Australia
✅ Brazil
✅ Canada
✅ Ireland
✅ Italy
✅ Japan
✅ New Zealand pic.twitter.com/2OdzpIUBka
— Instagram (@instagram) July 17, 2019

“We want Instagram to be a place where people feel comfortable expressing themselves. We hope this test will remove the pressure of how many likes a post will receive, so you can focus on sharing the things you love,” Facebook Australia and New Zealand director of policy Mia Garlick said.

Instagram will now be hiding total like counts from posts in Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia.

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“We are now rolling the test out to Australia so we can learn more about how this can benefit people’s experiences on Instagram, and whether this change can help people focus less on likes and more on telling their story.”

Soon, users in five more countries – Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, and New Zealand – will also get the test.