Instagram rolls out update removing the likes count on your posts

Way back in 2018, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri announced that they will gradually remove the likes count from posts. It caused an outrage in the influencer community with many of them breaking down because it removed their source of income. Facebook decided to remove Likes count because they wanted people who use the app to be happy.

We will make decision that hurt the business if they help people’s well-being and health…

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri

Health issues and Social Media

There is no denying the fact that social media pushes a person to the brink of loneliness and depression. Social Media peer pressure forces people to do things just because their friends are doing it. Real life pressure on social front is as it is on brink point. Need to look good, enjoy company and feel happy is taking its toll. Things have now reached a point where app developers are realizing online activities are creating a race to get noticed. Instagram comes up with the way to cut the race of likes.

The likes industry … influencer connection

Influencers are overnight celebrities. They have something which clicks and everybody knows how. But it is difficult to replicate. After the product is influenced, they are showered with goodies. Many are even paid. Lifestyle influencers have their lives brand-ished by companies. But for social media app makers, the primary concern will always remain genuine content. A person who is paid for endorsing a product, might as well have the likes paid too. So this becomes a commercial experience rather than a personal one. Social Media platform is a way for people to connect with people and things they love.

There are 750 lakh registered Instagram users in India. It is far less than users in USA, but still far far more than any other country. Brands are now rushing to get themselves seen on Instagram. The influencer community is as strong as ever. Removal of number of links will hit this community hard. Brands will have to find another way to measure success. Falling back to quality content is one easy way out.

Will it work

The update has been rolled out across the world in phases since 2018. Updates have finally begun reaching users in India. That is a long time for Instagram to research users response which generally has been positive till now. Following close on the heels of Friends Activity Tab removal, this looks like one serious step to enjoy social media rather than score aces on it.