By now, you've probably noticed your Instagram feed looks a little different. That's because Instagram removed the number of likes displayed in Canada recently, as part of a beta test for the platform. For the past couple of days, Instagram users across the country have noticed that instead of seeing the number of likes someone's photo got, you can now only see the users who have liked it. In a recent interview with Narcity, Instagram explained the reason behind this decision. A spokesperson for the company said, "We hope that by making the number of likes private, people will be able to focus more on the photos and videos posted and that this will ultimately drive deeper, more meaningful engagement." As for why they chose Canada for their experiment, Instagram said: "Canada has been selected as a test market because, Canadians are highly social and tech savvy, with over 24 million people connecting across the Facebook family of apps each month." As with any beta-test, the company is hoping to gauge the reactions of their users and to see who well the feature works out for people. If they find it was successful, you can expect Instagram to remove the number of likes display around the world. However, I wouldn't get too excited about this feature becoming permanent yet. So far the test has been getting very mixed reactions from Canadians, especially on Twitter. Some people absolutely hate not being able to see how many likes photos have. Seriously @instagram?! Give us likes back please. Thanks! 🙄— Logan Stewart (@loganstewartx) May 3, 2019 Instagram if you can’t see the number of likes... I’m afraid your irrelevant. Thank for for Twitter... far from perfect but still much better. pic.twitter.com/OxINF8zNSq— Eddie Goes Hollywood (@eddiefilmmaker) May 4, 2019 Rip for us Canadians.. we can’t see the amont of likes on a picture on Instagram anymore— Rose🌹 (@RxseMorgan) May 4, 2019 me, after Instagram implements a beta feature hiding the number of likes on everything: "hmm. perhaps this will be a good influence"also me: "but how will exes checking my Instagram know how many people like my selfies"— 👽commander spacebabe👽 (@cmdrspacebabe) May 3, 2019 Meanwhile, other Canadians are absolutely loving it. Instagram, at least in Canada, does not show the number of likes anymore. All social media should follow suit.— Babak (@shalchia) May 4, 2019 That new Instagram upgrade that hides your likes is your opportunity to be judged and appreciated for the quality of what you put out, not the the reach— Kosi ▪ Creates (@kosicreates) May 4, 2019 smart move instagram for getting rid of those number of likes. even i fell for wanting as many likes as i can but not i see that it’s not ok for my self esteem and idk it’s fresh start. @instagram— jessica (@JESUSSlCA) May 4, 2019 @instagram is doing a test run of hiding the number of likes on a post. I love it!!— Timbit Kitty (@a3_mana) May 4, 2019 Other Canadians are questioning Instagram's priorities, pointing out some other features that they'd rather have instead of not displaying likes, such as Instagram Music or chronological feeds. all we wanted was for Instagram to show us the pictures in the order they’re posted & instead they do what no one asked for and take away likes smh— emma ‎✵ (@emmgall) May 3, 2019 So @instagram tweeks an algorithm that drives content to users based on the # of likes instead of chronologically. Then decide that likes have become too important so now they're testing a version where likes aren't visible? Chronological feed would be easier— hollythegrey 🇨🇦 (@holly_the_grey) May 4, 2019 I am mad that Instagram can get rid of likes but can't get rid of the virus accounts that try to follow me every day.— t-21 (@melmelisabeast) May 4, 2019 tell me how instagram can remove likes for Canada but not give us instagram music— thomas (@thomasto_) May 4, 2019 I also just want to take a quick moment to let @instagram know that nipples are free in Canada so if they want to improve their app they should let Canadians show their nips. That is all.— ni • cool (@nicoleclrmichel) May 3, 2019 Based on these seriously mixed reactions to the new Instagram update in Canada, it's pretty much impossible to tell right now how this feature is doing or if it's going to be made permanent. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
