The small red hearts under any photos on the Instagram app are a source of concern for many users, as they see them as an indirect way to measure their value and popularity. In this regard, Instagram has not yet found a solution to the complex issue of displaying likes under photos and videos, announcing a new trial that allows users to decide what is best for them. This comes after several tests showed that some people no longer see the number of likes their posts receive. The popular photo app clarified in a statement that users will be able to "make a decision to enable the option that suits them, whether it is not seeing the number of likes on others' posts, disabling likes on their own posts, or keeping the original experience."
Instagram had hidden likes for a small group of users in 2019, but the results were mixed. Some participants felt less pressure, while others expressed a desire to know which content was successful and identify trending topics. Users involved in this test no longer saw the number of likes their posts received, but could access the number through a different page. In March of this year, a technical issue caused the like counter to disappear for some Instagram users for a few hours, raising questions about whether the company would soon roll out the feature. The company confirmed that what they are currently conducting is "just a small test" and that they expect to include more users in it soon.
An Instagram spokesperson stated in July 2019: "We are conducting this test because we want users to focus on the photos and videos being posted, not on the number of likes they receive." They added: "We don't want Instagram to feel like a competition." A study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2018 in the United States showed that 72% of teenagers use Instagram, and about 40% felt the need to only post content that received many likes or comments.
