Facebook are set to remove the like counts for Australian users. The world-first trial, which will begin rolling out today, will hide the number of likes, reactions and video views on other’s posts. In the same vein as the Instagram trial that kicked off in July, only the author will be able to see the number of engagements their post has received.
Mia Garlick, Director of Policy for Facebook Australia said that these changes were a result of wellbeing research and feedback from mental health professionals, that have determined that likes can trigger social comparison.
“We’ve had really positive feedback from a lot of the anti-bullying groups and mental health organisations that we work with,” Ms Garlick told AAP on response to the change.
“It really is just taking that number out of the equation, so that people can focus on the quality of their interactions and the quality of the content rather than on the number of likes or reactions.”
Finally, I don’t have to feel insecure about the fact my dad consistently receives twofold the number of likes that I cop.
Garlick has emphasized that the removal of likes is just a trial, but there is no specified date as to when, or if, the trial will end.
“We have had some initial positive feedback from the public about the experience (on Instagram), but we’re still just learning and listening to feedback at this stage.”
