Instagram without likes? Yes, that’s how it should be. Nowhere else was the like more valuable under a photo than on Instagram. And yet the Facebook daughter wants to abolish it. But why? Instagram provides flimsy explanations. The real reason is not called.
Recently, some users are no longer able to see the Like count among others’ photos. Above all, this should reduce competition. “Users who are part of the test no longer see the total number of likes and views of photos and videos of others in their feed,” says Instagram manager Tara Hopkins. “Only the likes for their own contributions remain visible to them.” But why does the company take this step? After all, the system has been working for years, it even makes Instagram. Or? And it’s THE digital currency for influencers.
“Instagram wants to help users focus on their shared photos and videos – not how many likes they get,” it says. For that, you even accept that users spend less time with the app. Another reason for the future renouncement of Likes: Bullying and social pressure. “We do not want Instagram to be a competition,” said Instagram boss Adam Mosseri FAZ . The BBC goes one step further: Instagram wants to curb bullying and associated mental illness in young people. After all, the fewer likes a photo gets, the more marginalized and socially isolated young people feel.
INSTAGRAM WITHOUT LIKES? THE REAL REASON
But what is Instagram really about? Does the network really care about high-quality photos? Do you really feel the duty to do something about social pressure? Or is the reason completely different?
Well, you have to first look at how the company earns money. Among other things, with advertising, which appears as a post in the feed of the user. On the other hand, you have to look at how most people use Instagram. They scroll through their feed, distributing likes on the chord and hoping to get likes for themselves. What you like, becomes a minor matter. Due to the fast scrolling, the advertising is also wiped upwards – even if she might even get a Like on the side.
And that’s going to be a problem for Instagram. Because fewer users type in advertising, and the advertiser finds that while he pays a lot of money on Facebook to show his ad, but conversely does not make a profit, he will not want to advertise on Instagram much longer.
PREVENT BULLYING? NOT SO, INSTAGRAM.
Instagram wants to prevent bullying with the abolition of Likes? Then the network would have to hide but also the follower numbers. Because even these, like Likes, maybe even more intensively compared. The problem persists. The reasons for the future suppression of likes have a lazy aftertaste.
Discussion about this post