At the moment, Instagram users see a running total of people who have liked a post. In the trial, users will see a user name “and others” below posts.

Instagrammers can still 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.

“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,” Mia Garlick, Facebook Australia and New Zealand director of policy, said in a statement.
The goal, she adds, is that users feel less judged and to see “whether this change can help people focus less on likes and more on telling their story”.