Facebook’s Instagram has once again silently removed the likes from users posts in six additional international countries, as a continuation of the international test to remove pressure on users.
Earlier in May, Instagram commenced an international test aimed at reducing pressure on users in Canada. However, the test has been rolled out again in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Brazil, Italy, and Japan.
Instagram users in these countries now see “liked by” a user name “and others” on a post but are able to view the number of likes on their posts.
The test hopes to reduce the level of low self-esteem of users who particularly seek validation through a high number of likes on a post in order not to be a target of online bullying.
According to Facebook Australia and New Zealand policy director Mia Garlick, the company wants users to feel comfortable in expressing themselves and sharing things they love without feeling judged.
The changes by the photo-sharing platform may negatively affect social media influencers as some use the like counts to as a measuring tool, however, Instagram says the new tweaks would not impact businesses or influencers.
