Why likes are not showing on your Instagram account
Is Facebook getting rid of likes? Social media Strategist Kris Ruby was recently on The Tamron Hall Show discussing Facebook testing out removing like counts on social media posts.
Is Instagram Removing Like Counts in The United States?
Instagram is currently testing out hiding like counts in seven countries. The experiment has now expanded to Instagram users in The United States too. Starting next week, Instagram will now remove like counts for some users in The U.S.
Instagram Like Counts Will Be Hidden Soon..
How will this impact influencers?
Likes have always been a critical component of currency for influencers in the social media economy. While this can directly impact influencer and brand endorsement deals and relationships, it can also have a positive impact on many users mental health. There have been numerous studies linking increased social media usage to depression.
So, what happens if Instagram permanently removes like counts for U.S. users?
For starters, there are many different ways to communicate value and engagement beyond like counts. If Instagram makes this a permanent move, this is a great thing. Users will spend more time becoming creative and using the platform for what it was originally meant for: photo and video sharing and not a popularity contest!
There are many who think that too much time on social media can lead to depression and serious mental health issues.
This places the onus on social media users to create quality content rather than relying on vanity metrics. This will also substantially impact influencer marketing.
The shift will move from likes towards quality engagement in comments.
As a society, we are too addicted to the endorphin rush that comes with likes.
Instagram hides like counts in The U.S.
Good for:
- Teenagers (they are heavily influenced by Instagram like counts)
- Health organizations/ anti bullying orgs.
Not good for:
- Influencers.
They will have to work harder to get more engagement (to rake in sponsorship dollars and brand endorsement deals that came in easier previously and were measured by like counts)
What makes an Instagram account valuable?
Followers used to be the supreme way that marketers measured how valuable an Instagram account was. Like count was viewed as equally important.
But with Instagram testing out hiding like counts for U.S. users, the notion of value will be redefined.
Engagement will become the most important metric of what makes an Instagram account valuable.
Key Takeaway: An Instagram account in a silo is not a true measure of value or marketing success for brand marketers. People make the mistake of thinking one Instagram account can make or break their marketing. It can’t. An Instagram account is one tactic within a larger social media marketing strategy that must exist under the umbrella of a strategic integrated marketing communications plan.
Why did Instagram remove the number of likes?
Instagram says they are removing likes because they want followers to focus on photos and videos vs the number of likes you get.
Will Instagram likes come back? How long is Instagram hiding likes for?
This all depends on how the experiment goes. Instagram will determine if this move will be permanent for users in The United States.
READ: Instagram lets users hide likes to reduce social media pressure
Why can I still see likes on Instagram?
This experiment is slowly being rolled out to users. You will still be able to see the like count, but your followers will not be able to see this information.
Why can’t friends see my Instagram likes?
Friends can no longer see the specific images you like because Instagram recently removed a “following” feature which showed other users what photos you like.
Instagram influencers: The impact of Removing Likes
Why the Instagram influencer bubble was bound to burst
If Instagram hides ‘like’ counts permanently, it will have a massive impact on the entire Instagram ecosystem beyond influencers. If someone wants to become an influencer, they will have to work much harder to gain the same traction they were previously getting. Influencers will have to focus on creating quality content if they want to increase engagement.
I was never a fan of relying on like counts as a metric anyway. When a prospective client is interested in retaining Ruby Media Group for social media marketing services, I always ask what success would look like. If someone says, “An increase in X number of followers on Instagram,” I know they aren’t a good fit as a client for the agency. Why?
Because follower count is not a true measure of success.
Three hundred Instagram followers that are actually in your target audience mean way more than 10,000 followers from all over the world who will never be your customers.
Vanity metrics are garbage and have always been pretty much worthless. I have been saying this for years.
Likes do not equal new customers and profitability!
If you redefine value in a marketplace, you also redefine what people are willing to pay for that perceived value. As the metrics of measurement and value change in the Instagram ecosystem, everything will be impacted. The main metric influencers and brand marketers were using to measure these accounts may disappear entirely.
How will Instagram hiding like counts impact the future of influencer marketing?
The industry that has spring up re companies increasing users online influence is mixed with a lot of fraud/ brand scams. The emphasis never should have been on increasing likes.
For example, if a company helps you get more likes, but the likes don’t convert to sales and are from people who aren’t even in your geographic region, were the likes valuable? No. They are totally useless for your business.
INSTAGRAM REMOVES LIKE COUNT RESOURCES
VIDEO: Why Instagram Removing Likes Is Great for Marketers