New Instagram Update
About a month ago, Instagram decided to hide the number of likes on pictures and videos. According to this recent update, only the person who posts the picture can see the total number of likes the post got. The update was first tested in Canada and has since expanded to Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Japan, Italy and Ireland. Upon being asked the reason for hiding the number of likes in the recent Facebook F8 conference, it was revealed that Instagram wants the followers of the users to focus on the pictures and videos posted by them instead of the numbers of likes they got.
The question is how it will affect the influencers on Instagram . One of the biggest means to display their popularity is the number of likes they get on their posts. It shows that they have an influence on people and the posts they make are liked by public. They might also be at disadvantage when it comes to getting brand deals and sponsors because the Instagram influencers earn money by teaming up with different businesses to promote products and brand campaigns. Instagram has revealed that this update is still in its exploratory stage and they acknowledge the damage that it can do to the influencers hence the company is making efforts to come up with ways to create a communication pathway for different businesses to communicate with the public figures on Instagram.
Although Instagram hasn't revealed when they will extend this update to UK and US but they revealed that they intend to keep making changes like this in order to make Instagram a safer and less toxic platform for people who previously got bullied due to the lack of number of followers and likes.
Picture Credits: TechCrunch
The question is how it will affect the influencers on Instagram . One of the biggest means to display their popularity is the number of likes they get on their posts. It shows that they have an influence on people and the posts they make are liked by public. They might also be at disadvantage when it comes to getting brand deals and sponsors because the Instagram influencers earn money by teaming up with different businesses to promote products and brand campaigns. Instagram has revealed that this update is still in its exploratory stage and they acknowledge the damage that it can do to the influencers hence the company is making efforts to come up with ways to create a communication pathway for different businesses to communicate with the public figures on Instagram.
Although Instagram hasn't revealed when they will extend this update to UK and US but they revealed that they intend to keep making changes like this in order to make Instagram a safer and less toxic platform for people who previously got bullied due to the lack of number of followers and likes.
This is news to me! I had not noticed or read about this update. This concept is very interesting. I wonder how it will affect influencers also. How will influences be established? How will brands choose which influencers will reach their audience best? How will brands choose influencers that best fit their budget? I'm sure these things will be sorted out quickly but it is a very interesting thing to think about.
ReplyDeleteSo the thing is normally Instagram is quick to make changes worldwide but this update is taking a lot of time and they are referring to it as a "test" instead of an update. They have said that they'll come up with a way to not damage the businesses and influencers on this platform but I think only time will tell what is going to happen next. I personally do not like the idea of hiding the number of likes I don't think that will make Instagram a less toxic platform.
DeleteWhen I read the first half I started thinking that actually could be a good idea. I hear so many of my friends talking about how many likes their post got and what other people's didn't. Making it so only the one who post the pictures can see the likes, to me, doesn't seem all that bad. It would potentially bring more focus to the picture itself. I never thought of it from the perspective of an influencers and how that could affect their jobs.
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