AGENCIES: Facebook will follow Instagram by hiding the number of likes on users’ posts during a trial in Australia.
From Friday, some Australian users will no longer be able to see the number of likes – or reactions – on another person’s Facebook post.
The controversial change has been trialed by sister platform Instagram in several countries since July.
Facebook said removing likes from view was an attempt to reduce social pressure among users.
People will still be able to see the number of likes on their own posts, the company said.
“It is about 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,” spokeswoman Mia Garlick told the Australian Associated Press.
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