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Did Instagram remove ‘like’ count? Truth behind shocking Twitter trend and how Facebook might have influenced it

Chris Messina — credited as the inventor of hashtag (#) — posted a sly dig on the furor, writing, ‘Go check out the ‘Did Instagram’ trend!’

Did Instagram just remove its most beloved feature? The photo and video-sharing social networking service owned by Facebook sparked a new wave of controversy when the ‘like’ button disappeared for many users on March 2, 2021, and the ‘Did Instagram’ trend surfaced on Twitter.

Chris Messina — credited as the inventor of hashtag (#) — posted a sly dig on the furor, writing, “Go check out the ‘Did Instagram’ trend and if you work in tech, realize how much of a bubble/echo chamber you exist in, as Instagram apparently has expanded the removal of likes and people are *just now* realizing this and are shocked / horrified / crying.”

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Have the Instagram likes really disappeared?

Apparently, the Instagram ‘like’ button is still there but the ‘like’ counts have vanished from the photo-sharing app.

Back in 2019, Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced at WIRED25 that the company would start hiding ‘like’ counts. “We will make decisions that hurt the business if they help people's well-being and health,” Emphasizing how they are putting people's interests before others, he said, “It means we’re going to put a 15-year-old kid’s interests before a public speaker’s interest. He also added, “When we look at the world of public content, we’re going to put people in that world before organizations and corporations.”

Mosseri carefully noted that “bullying predates Instagram” and the Internet. At that time, Instagram was still testing the feature and he mentioned further measures that the platform is taking to improve the mental and emotional health of its users, as reported by Wired.

‘Been dreading this change’

As soon as the news surfaced online, the micro-blogging platform was buzzing with reactions, especially from Instagram influencers. Many expressed their shock and others slammed the platform for stealing likes from their account. 

“Is it just me or did Instagram implement that update that doesn’t show the total amount of likes on a pic!?” one tweet read and another said, “Ppl gettin mad about not seeing the number of likes they receive on ig bcuz they use that as some sort of validation currency shows is how deeply twisted and vain we are. Did Instagram reveal how we are reliant on social media for our sense of worth and self esteem? Yes it did.”

Confirming that it had really happened, Gabriella Hoffman posted a screengrab video and wrote, “Did Instagram get rid of likes? Oy. Been dreading this change. UGH. If I switch back to a personal account, does it revert back? Some other accounts I manage for clients still have like counts.”

So why did Instagram really remove the ‘like’ count?

“Why did Instagram take away your like counts?? Because Big Tech knows what’s good for you and Facebook is making your decisions for you,” one tweet read and another said, “Did Instagram steadily disenfranchise their entire general userbase over the course of the past year so ONLY influencers pushing sponsored content are interested in the platform and it's just a weird commercial circle jerk? Yes, yes they did.”

One claimed they did it back in 2020. “Guys the ‘Did Instagram’ thing is so funny because they took off the ability to see the number of like so long ago. I think they did it at the beginning of 2020.” Others, meanwhile, felt it was unnecessary. “Did Instagram shut the likes and shares yes because y'all making money and not cutting them in so they pulled a power move.”

Slamming Facebook, one said, “Everyone got ‘Did Instagram’ trending. You mean to tell me everybody just realizing Instagram no longer allow you to see the like you get on a post. They warned y'all almost 2 years ago they were gone do this. I been saying #FuckInstagram for years once #Facebook took over.”

With the effect Instagram has in our lives, the new change will certainly be a letdown for many. Don't you think so? Share your thoughts in the comments below.