From today, Instagram will trial removing the likes functionality from the app, meaning you'll no longer be able to tell if someone else's post is popular or not - you'll still be able to find out how many hits your own posts get, the numbers just won't be visible to others.
Following on from trials in Canada, the move is reportedly an attempt to cull the competitive aspects associated with the app. It's part of a number of anti-bullying efforts being made, including asking users "are you sure?" before allowing comments that register as bullying statements to be posted.
Instagram is rolling out the test in New Zealand as well as in Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, and Australia.
Director of Policy for Facebook ANZ, Mia Garlick, says: "We hope this test will remove the pressure of how many likes a post will receive, so you can focus on sharing the things you love.
"We want Instagram to be a place where people feel comfortable expressing themselves. We hope this test will remove the pressure of how many likes a post will receive, so you can focus on sharing the things you love."
