Instagram Likes, You’re So Much More Than A Number
Many of us want more likes, but has the pressure to be ‘liked’ become too much for us to handle? Like a parent taking away a toddler’s candy after they’ve had too much, Instagram is taking away our likes. And many users are throwing tantrums! How does Instagram effect your mental health and will hiding likes help?
The Switch To A Like-Less Instagram
Instagram started hiding likes for us Canadians back in May, and recently decided to expand testing to include some parts of the United States. The reason being- to take some of the pressure off Instagram users, particulary the younger generation. There’s enough pressure to be liked IRL. Having a number for everyone to see is damaging our mental health.
If You Post On Instagram And No One Likes It, Did You Really Even Post?
Many of us live for likes on Instagram because it means more engagement. But are we putting too much v
alue on likes? After all, they are considered a vanity metric.
So many people are so caught up in chasing a number, rather than sharing great content. Remember the World Record Egg? A photo of an egg received the most likes on Instagram. And a perfect example of how much value should be put on a like.
I’ve been guilty of scrolling my feed and liking nearly every single photo without much thought. So what’s a like really worth anyway? Well, turns out, A LOT to influencers. Influencers are paid based on their ‘influence’, which is weighed by many factors including community engagement aka likes.
And for non-influencers, the number of likes has become more of a competition than engagement.
How Will This Impact Influencers?
No doubt, many influencers will be affected by a like-less Instagram.
The issue will now be the number of followers will trump actual engagement. With so many ‘influencers’ faking it with bought followers, it could be harder for genuinue people doing it the right way to get deals. Without being able to see the number of ‘likes’ it’ll also be more difficult for brands to easily distinguish between who has paid for fake followers and who has actual real influence. I can see this hurting some influencers. Brands will have to do the work if they want real influence for their buck. Genuine comments (not the spam) and real followers are a great indicator of how much actual influence a person has on Instagram. Fake followers usually have no profile picture, zero or very little post activity and they’re usually following a ton of accounts, with a very little followers
How To Tell How Many Instagram Likes Someone Has
You can still how many likes you get. And, you can’t see the actual number of likes on someone else’s post. But you can click on the likes area and scroll down to get an idea of how many likes they have. If you’ve got some time on your hands and you’re so curious, you can even count them if you want. Also, you can still like posts and the Instagrammer will see the love.
Show me a little love @Steph__Social 💕
Why Is Intagram Taking Your Likes Away?
Instagram can be bad for your mental health. The whole platform has turned into one big competition, instead of a social platform to engage and connect. It’s more about who has the most followers, how many likes can you get, and who appears to have the best life?! The pressure to have more friends, a nicer house, that cute outfit, the beach body and trips… It can be a major source of self-doubt, insecurity and envy. Add social media bullying in to the comments and you’ve got a dangerous combination that leads to depression and even suicide.
Life After Likes
Although I think it’s a step in the right direction, the pressure is still there, it’ll just be put on the number of followers you have and the comments you get. You can take the likes away, but the competition remains. For me, growing up I only had to compare myself to a small group of people that I went to school with and some celebrities I looked up to but I knew weren’t ‘real’. Today’s generation has the whole world in their hands and in their head.
The problem is so much deeper than Instagram likes, but it’s a positive step to making social media a healthier, happier place.
Instagram And Your Mental Health
Social media can be a source of positivity, if done right. It can be a place to re-connect and make new connections. And, even a source of income. It can also be good for your mental health! Does your social media include lots of inspiring stories and photos? If not, you’re not doing it right! Here’s some helpful tips to use social media to help your mental health!
Be aware of which social media networks and accounts are triggering negative emotions. Be proactive and block or restrict yourself.
Limit your time on social media. Track how much time you’re spending on social media. Try and avoid scrolling feeds before bedtime to allow your mind to wander on it’s own.
Find positive online communities to engage with. Narrow down your networks and pay more attention to the ones that are benefiting you.
What do you think of Instagram hiding likes?
Is there too much competition on social media?
How can we make social media better for our mental health?
i find it frustrating how many people are buying likes and followers. so i’m hoping this will help weed them out from the competition.
Joy at The Joyous Living
I’m still not sure if IG is hiding it for emotional well-being or to deter people from bad IG practices. Either way, I’m excited about it.
Could be!! Fake influencers are getting outta control on there! Very annoying!
I’m really interested to see how this p[ans out. I think hiding like numbers could push the platform in a new, better direction.
Yes hopefully one where there’s less emphasis on vanity metrics and more focus on content!
true. social media have so much negative impacts if not taken properly. instagram now is more of a competition rather than engaging. it’s more of who has the better picture, etc. I love how you emphasize this. there is more to IG than just increasing the likes and comments. 🙂
Cha at Little MisadvenCHA
Us bloggers need social media and although it has many positives, we need to be aware of the negatives! Instagram is definitely not all that it seems!
I agree with this! I really think the validation that we get in social media, or sometimes a lack thereof, affects our mental health. I would love for our social media to evolve to be an avenue for organic engagements, rather than being just a numbers game.
For me, it’s all about engagements and also the authenticity of likes and comments. It’s so much better to see real comments and likes.
I am intrigued by the idea of hiding likes.
Social media is a scary place, where rabbit holes can be fallen down for you to never get out of. I was into the likes and numbers at the start – then I gave myself a shake because they really aren’t what life is all about, you know!
I like your focus on posting content that means something to you rather than focusing on likes. My likes have pretty much gone down on IG over the last few years, and luckily I didn’t take it personally. It’s just their algorithms! It’s a machine, people! ; )
So very true! It’s sad we put so much value in a click of a button!
Blogging and IG is apart of my job so I was almost nervous it was going to effect my job but now I am ok. I think it will help showcase who is a real influencer and who is just taking pictures for attention!
Absolutely! I can easily spot a fake now that I know but I bet many people can’t!
The world of social media can be a dark one at times. you just need to make sure that you check you are ok with what you are doing xx
I don’t think their focus was on providing a more healthy experience for children. I believe Instagram was more focused on sticking it to the business owners and engagers using their platform. Although, I love the positive outlook you have!
Guilty here.. Hahaha. Yes I do like my posts to be liked. But not to the point that I would seek for it. 😂
Same! I’m caring less and less though cuz I’m so busy!
Don’t want to be a sour puss but this is something else. I bet many people are not into it at all. Hope this impacts us positively.
I know! I’m sure it’ll have both positive and negative impacts. No one likes change!
I think it affects peoples mental health because they are looking for validation and trying to impress other people.
Yes! It’s more of a competition for certain people and it’s so bad for mental health!
Thanks for the reminder. I like the idea of sticking to the communities online that are beneficial and where my contribution is valued.
people will do anything for likes and followers.
What’s your take on unfollowing lots of accounts..
Like mass unfollowing..
Will that hurt my friends.. ?
I want to really do that for my personal account and keep it tidy..
Do you have a business account for your blog? If not, you should! And keep your personal one, personal 🙂 and keep your friends! Instagram is still sort of a mystery to me! It’s hard to grow organically on there!
Yeah! I have one for my blog..
It’s april_autumn12
And my personal is vrushalikhadilkar
I want to at least bring the following to 0…start new..
🤔🤔
On my personal…
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