Instagramยฎ is about to make some serious changes to its platform, including hiding likes from public view. If you rely on your public profile on Instagram as a signal of your worth as a business or as an influencer, this change may have a significant impact. The new Instagram experience is currently in the testing phase, but it will likely roll out for all users in the near future.ย
As the account user, you will still be able to see the likes a post garners. Followers, on the other hand, will not have a view of how many people are engaged by your posts. In its current incarnation, the new system allows users to view likes by tapping on โothersโ under a post. As to the why, Instagram is making changes aimed at improving mental health, particularly in an online culture often seen as valuing โlikesโ more than forging real human relationships.ย
Impact on Businesses
Whether or not the Instagram strategy of hiding likes has psychological merits remains to be seen. For users who rely on likes as a way of establishing status or value, taking away the ability of followers to measure success is problematic. On the plus side, the move means account holders are more likely to be judged on the content they provide and their interaction with followers.ย
Smart influencers and business owners can actually exploit the change. By shifting your focus to rich content, you can get ahead of the curve. While other businesses are still posting the same tired content, hoping followers will remember how many likes they once had, you could benefit from this change by creating posts that result in meaningful conversations and engagement.ย
It is also thought that the absence of visible likes will incentivize followers to click through on blogs and videos, rather than relying on likes as an indicator of quality. The change may provide a platform for businesses that are able to adapt, creating content that truly inspires.ย
If you have questions about the likes becoming invisible on Instagram, reach out to Skol Marketing for advice on creating strategic and engaging content.
