Instagram To Test Hiding Likes Next Week

Instagram will test hiding "likes" on the platform next week, according to the company's CEO, making the metric only available to the person who made the post. While still in this testing phase, "likes" will only disappear on a number of users, not the entire platform.

Speaking at the Wired25 event last Friday, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri said that the initiative was to "de-pressurize" Instagram for young people. The company has already tested the feature in several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada and more.

"It's about young people," Mosseri said. "The idea is to try and de-pressurize Instagram, make it less of a competition, give people more space to focus on connecting with the people they love, things that inspire them."

WATCH: Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri announces that the platform will start hiding likes for US audiences starting next week. It's the latest step in Instagram’s quest to become the safest place on the internet. https://t.co/BGkMG57rdk #WIRED25 pic.twitter.com/WNTyAPVhaD

— WIRED (@WIRED) November 9, 2019

Hiding these like counts, Mosseri says, is the first step in putting younger users' interests first.

"It means we’re going to put a 15-year-old kid’s interests before a public speaker’s interest," he said. "When we look at the world of public content, we’re going to put people in that world before organizations and corporations."

This will be Instagram's first test in the United States. It has already conducted trials in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand.

Following the event, Mosseri made an announcement about the test on Twitter.

Heads up! We've been testing making likes private on Instagram in a number of countries this year. We're expanding those tests to include a small portion of people in the US next week. Looking forward to the feedback!

— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) November 9, 2019

However, not everyone is excited about the proposal. Rapper Nicki Minaj took Twitter last week to criticize the trial.

I’m not posting on IG after this week cuz they removing the likes. Hmmmm what should I get into now? Think of all the time I’ll have with my new life

— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) November 9, 2019

Minaj went on to say that she believed that the change would hurt independent artists and influencers.

We are so easily pacified. Harriet would never. Y’all smoking dick if y’all think labels ain’t pissed about the level of power independent artists now have by way of IG. They all work TOGETHER. Unlike us… settling for crumbs. But memba when I spoke on other shit b4 it happened?

— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) November 9, 2019

Fellow rapper Cardi B, on the other hand, focused on the ability for users to like comments on the platform.

Regardless of how far-reaching the test goes, making likes private is sure to elicit impassioned responses both for and against the feature. While some support the measure, others believe it will not fundamentally change the platform.

Stop worrying about Instagram likes and worry about if people even like YOU sksksks

— Ira Madison III (@ira) November 9, 2019

am I the only who likes the idea of Instagram taking like counts away? people worry way too much about how many likes they get. it’s the culture we’ve been accustomed to for so long that it feels normal to get validation from someone “liking” your pic when that’s not healthy :/

— journey (@Sunecke_) November 9, 2019

Instagram disabling public likes gonna have people screenshotting their engagement and posting it on their story talkin bout “thank you all so much for the ❤️❤️🙏🏼”

— KENNEDY JONES (@KennedyJonesTHO) November 9, 2019

Instagram is taking away likes to control the markets and push for people to buy ads NOT because they give a fuck about “mental health” . This will hurt small business and up and coming artists .

— GUAPDAD 4000 (@guapdad4000) November 9, 2019

Instagram removing likes to “ease anxiety and remove social pressure”But includes filters that alter your face to look “prettier” I’m at a loss here

— Ekali 🥀 (@EkaliMusic) November 10, 2019

I'm hopeful that the end of likes on Instagram will end this dumb ass gender reveal bullshit.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

— Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) November 9, 2019