Instagram Announces Plan to Hide Likes in Canada

One of the most surprising finds discovered in a leaked Instagram design prototype in late April was that the app was considering removing the ubiquitous, heart-shaped Likes from posts. Though a spokesperson for the app insisted that Instagram wasn’t actually testing the functionality, it appears that it was; the app announced that it will soon be hiding Likes totals in Canada.

This idea was put forth so “your followers [could] focus on what you share, not how many Likes your posts get,” Instagram developers wrote in the patch notes uncovered by leakers. At Facebook‘s recent F8 developers conference, Instagram confirmed that it will begin hiding Likes for Canadian users in the coming weeks. This functionality will obfuscate the total number of Likes from posts, photos and videos alike, that can be seen on the main feed, profiles, linked pages and Explore page.

It’s worth noting that the person who originally posted the content will still be able to view their own Likes totals. Furthermore, Instagram hasn’t confirmed plans to expand the test or even fully put the move into practice just yet. Take a look at how Instagram looks without Likes below.

Most recently, Instagram added the “quiz” feature to Stories.

Instagram is testing hiding like count from audiences,

as stated in the app: "We want your followers to focus on what you share, not how many likes your posts get" pic.twitter.com/MN7woHowVN

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) April 18, 2019