Having An Instagram Without Like Counts in Australia Was Frustrating, Then Freeing
When I packed two bags and hopped on a plane to live in Australia for a year, I knew that I was saying farewell to good Mexican food. I knew I was leaving behind my friends and family. But I had no idea I’d have to give up my Instagram like counts.
When I arrived Down Under, many things were different. Conspicuous things, like cars zipping along on the left side of the road. And subtle things, like the way I felt when I first checked my Instagram feed. Something wasn’t quite right.
Soon, I realized what was missing: Instagram likes. None. Nowhere. I could only see how many likes my own posts had received by clicking on the “likes” button under the post. Now, I wouldn't have thought myself the type of girl bothered by such a thing, but—like a phantom limb—the loss was keenly felt. The next few days, I would scroll down to a post, instinctively flickered my eyes toward the likes count and see only “@coolcat54 and others liked this post.”
“Others” was frustrating. How many others? How was I supposed to accurately gauge the quality of the photo (or account for that matter) if I couldn’t see a metric of double-tap approval? With each photo, I had to decide if I too wanted to be lumped in with these nebulous “o t h e r s,” which seemed as pointless a thing as light traveling through galaxies of space with no planet to see it. The whole thing felt like some violation of free speech or equalizing Communist scheme. Something that wouldn’t occur in the States—too much executive intervention.
I did some investigating.
The demise of the like count is a product of Instagram’s effort to support users’ mental health. Today, Instagram is widely known as ground zero for comparison-induced anxiety. Some studies have even labeled Instagram as the worst social media platform for mental health.
“We want Instagram to be a place where people feel comfortable expressing themselves. We hope this test will remove the pressure of how many likes a post will receive, so you can focus on sharing the things you love,” a statement read from Facebook Australia and New Zealand director of policy Mia Garlick.
This test was first rolled out in Canada, then into other countries including Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil and New Zealand, according to Elle Australia. It came to Australia in mid-July.
First, I had to admit, the intentions were all morally commendable. Then I conceded that the amount of emotional distress Instagram produces needs to be addressed. And finally, I reckoned any test to this end is a step in the right direction.
As my Australian days turned into weeks, I grew accustomed to my equalized Instagram feed. Pictures didn’t stand out anymore because of the likes they accumulated but rather because of the image itself. In some ways, I now live in a world where Kim Kardashian’s and my own posts could stand side by side without too many noticeable differences (aside from the obvious disparity of booty depicted).
I posted a picture I usually would’ve only put on my story because I liked it. And I didn’t care how many likes it got. I felt free, like a dog off the leash or like Jeff Bezos from any federal income tax.
I realize now that this new feature is essentially a basic exchange of freedoms. The freedom of knowledge is sacrificed in order to shed the shackles of social pressure. I felt the weight of those chains lift, and I think if this new feature does anything positive for others as well, it’s well worth it.