Instagram developers want to change the service’s principle of operation and its algorithm. The innovation will affect all users to varying degrees. If Instagram removes likes, then many bloggers and commercial accounts will suffer first and foremost.
How Instagram developers explain their decision
In 2019, as an experiment, Instagram wants to disable likes on posts, so users will not be able to see the number of likes. However, account owners will still be able to view them. The reason for this change is that users focus on the number of likes rather than the content, and developers are considering reducing the pressure on users. News sources note that the functionality of the service influences the development of new algorithms. People in pursuit of likes do not pay attention to aesthetics or the style of future posts. The introduction of the “hidden likes” option will allow page owners to monitor the number of followers and comments, but it will also make slight changes to the algorithm for forming the feed. Hidden likes will still affect the position of the post among others.
The consequences of removing likes for ordinary users
Other people’s popularity, which is transmitted through Instagram, puts pressure on subscribers. This is a serious challenge for people. Experts conducted a public opinion poll, which showed that Instagram and Snapchat applications oppress well-being and self-esteem. Some users are so upset about the small number of likes that they remove posts due to the lack of desired reaction.
Most account owners do not receive any material benefit from this feature. The function is a tool for relationships between users who are not personally acquainted or do not have active communication, but maintain a connection through likes. This behavior is typical for communicating with distant relatives or former colleagues. With these categories, you want to virtually greet each other through the use of likes.
A local leader who influences opinion is a user who has more than a few hundred followers. At the same time, account owners receive advertising opportunities.
For the average user, nothing will change, as the option of the total number of likes will not be disabled. As before, you can express sympathy, as well as receive feedback in the form of likes.
Will this complicate life for Instagram bloggers and brands?
Instagram is one of the main ways to promote commercial projects. For a professional blogger, a “like” is a tool for setting the cost of advertising and a resource for broadcasting popularity. Stores and brands post their publications and products on the network, determining the level of demand and offers for their goods. After the disappearance of this option, the connection with advertisers will be ruined.
Note that the value of comments and followers will increase, which will encourage more active blogging and communication with readers. With the introduction of this option, SMM specialists will ask more questions in posts that require a detailed response. There are many services for mass likes, and many profiles use these methods to increase their popularity. However, it is more difficult to fake comments because bot activity is visible even to inexperienced users.
People who make money from likes and followers will have to reconsider their list of services, as the main methods will not work. This will increase the demand for writing comments. The cost of one comment is 2-3 times higher than the price for a “like,” and 1.5-2 times more expensive than a new follower.
This innovation will not complicate the lives of commercial profiles, as they receive quality advertising, and bloggers, because with attractive content, there is no need to worry about a decrease in activity.
However, fake accounts that want to promote themselves through likes should be wary of the update.
Additional information: In 2018, developers announced their intention to combat likes and hearts sales and manipulation.
How the removal of likes will affect content and competition
If the application cancels likes, then the competition for each subscriber, advertising project will increase. It is difficult to make a user leave a comment under a publication, so bloggers will have to fight for the attention of readers. The content that profiles display in the feed will become of higher quality. This will especially please ordinary users who come to Instagram for motivating, smart posts, not for advertising layouts. Instagram will remove likes in the near future, so account owners should prepare for this in advance by filling their feed with beautiful photos. If this happens, ordinary users will not feel any particular discomfort.