Instagram Is Starting To Test Out Hiding Likes — And Influencers Are Freaking Out

It turns out that Instagram doesn’t want us fretting over whether or not our photos are likeable anymore. As of July 18, Instagram has rolled out a version of their app in seven countries that hides likes and video counts under every post. So it might be time to say goodbye to your Instagram likes.

Have you ever posted a photo on Instagram only to feel paralyzed with anxiety for the next few hours? You constantly refresh your page, watching the likes trickle in, wondering if you’ll be able to hit 100 likes or look like a social media failure forever. The counter ticks over to 99 and you sit there, waiting for the next one to come in. You’re not alone.

Likes make Instagram feel like a minefield. Every day we’re flooded with hacks on becoming Instagram famous, “rules” on when to post in order to receive the most likes, and even apps to buy them. So maybe this change isn’t the worst idea. Studies have shown that social media has a negative impact on mental health, especially in younger people, so if scaling back on the cultural cache of likes is step one, we’re on board.

But some people — namely influencers — are freaking out about the possibility of no more likes. Influencers often use the amount of likes, along with their follower count, to negotiate contracts for that sweet sweet #SponCon.

This Influencer Sobbed (And Posted) About Social Media’s Negative Effects

If it wasn’t posted to social media, did it even happen?

Naturally, influencers are in a tizzy about the like count ban. One Australian influencer, 19-year-old Mikaela Testa, was so distraught that she posted a video about how she needs a break from social media. Media outlets reported that this video was posted in response to the like count ban, but Testa updated this post to clarify that it’s about “the disgusting and hurtful comments and messages i’ve received over the past week and i just need a break”

When Did Instagram Decide To Hide Likes?

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Turns out this change has been a year in the making.

This update comes after testing it out in Canada in 2018. Instagram told TIME that they were “expanding the test to a number of countries to get a better sense of how the experience resonates with Instagram’s global community.”

Instagram Likes Have Already Been Hidden In Seven Countries

But the US didn’t make the cut.

Instagram announced it will be hiding all likes and views on posts in seven countries including Australia, Brazil, and Canada.

Instagram Wants You To Share Your World…

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…Without the added stress of wondering if a photo will get “enough” likes.

“We want your friends to focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get,” Instagram said in a tweet. “You can still see your own likes by tapping on the list of people who’ve liked it, but your friends will not be able to see how many likes your post has received.”

But It Isn’t Permanent

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Currently, the app seems to just be experimenting.

Instagram also added that this may be temporary: “We’re looking forward to learning more about how this change might benefit everyone’s experience on Instagram.”

Is It Enough?

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There is one person who will still be able to see your Instagram likes.

Even though Instagram will be hiding posts from the public, we’ll still be able to see likes on our own posts. But turning off that need for validation after receiving it on the app for so long may be hard to accept for some users.

We Don’t Know When The Feature Will Come To The US

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Instagram is staying tight-lipped on that information.

There’s no news about when the update will find its way here, but we do know it could end up making everyone pretty upset. For influencers who make money from large followings, views, and likes this could cause a few issues.

There Are People Welcoming The Change

But some celebrities are already excited.

In a post on Twitter, Troye Sivan was pretty happy about the changes. “Bout to post w no thought or consequence like it’s 2013 go crazy go stupid ahhhhhh,” the Australian pop star wrote. 

Other People Welcomed The Change, Too

It wasn’t just celebrities breathing a sigh of relief.

And this is what it looks like:

Do you think this is going to help wean people off of the sweet, sweet validation that comes from Instagram likes?

And is it actually a step in the right direction for our mental health? We don’t know the answers yet, but frankly we’re ready to find out.