Facebook Tests Removal of Like Counts to Reduce User Anxiety

[Tsing]

Facebook users may no longer need to worry about how many Likes their expensive wedding or summer getaway receives. Reverse-engineering expert Jane Manchun Wong cracked into the social network's official app and discovered that the company is testing the removal of Like counts from public view.

While the motive is still a secret, Facebook is probably doing away with the metric to increase engagement. Users will be more likely to share content if there isn't a "score" attached to each post.

…large Like counts…can make other users self-conscious of their of own lives and content. That’s all problematic for Facebook’s ad views. Facebook wants to avoid scenarios such as “Look how many Likes they get. My life is lame in comparison” or “why even share if it’s not going to get as many Likes as her post and people will think I’m unpopular”.

 

[alxlwson]

Lol....

 

[Nanobot]

I tested not using facebook years ago. It was a success as demonstrated by the fact I didn't start using it again. Ask me how you too can free yourself from facebook pain.

 

[Zarathustra]

People who worry about how many likes they get on social media are pathetic.

In fact, anxiety in general just makes me want to punch people who have it and give them something real to be anxious about.

This **** has to stop.

 

[Nanobot]

Not all people with anxiety issues attribute it to social media.