Social media platform Instagram is hiding the number of ‘likes’ on posts in several countries, including Australia and Japan, in order to “remove pressure” on users. The trial which begins Thursday, means Instagram users will no longer be able to see a running total of people who have liked a post, a feature which often gets seen as a measure of popularity. Instead, users will see a user name “and others” that like a post on their feed. Instagrammers can still privately view the number of likes their own posts receive. There is concern social media platforms can contribute to low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy in young people. Instagram launched a similar trial in Canada in May and the new test is rolling out in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, Japan and Brazil. Mia Garlick, Facebook Australia and New Zealand director of policy, said that the aim is to make users feel less judged and to see “whether this change can help people focus less on likes and more on telling their story.”

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