Do you like the likes?: Opinion

Instagram is a very popular social networking site.  In June of 2018 Instagram had one billion active users (statista), and in November the company announced users in the US can expect to see likes soon disappear. This has caused some disagreement. Not everyone is happy with this decision, but I think it would  be kind of cool. You will be able to see your own likes, but no one else can see them. It shows that you’re not worth the amount of likes you get on your selfie. Now sure you may want to see how many likes Kylie Jenner is getting, but is it really that important? Didn’t think so. People are very opinionated when it comes to their social media and no one likes new updates. 

The only reason someone would be upset over Instagram getting rid of likes would be popularity. It is 2020, I thought we were past that, but I guess not. I do not think people really care and look at how many likes their peer gets on their pictures. I think it will be beneficial because some people get self conscious about their amount of likes on their pictures. I think it will look cool without the likes. It will definitely be something to get used to, but I know we can all do it. Change is hard and the new look will be different, but later down the road, everyone will be so used to it that they won’t notice it anymore. Megan Edgecomb, a senior at Coe-Brown did not know about this topic until I introduced it to her. She is impartial about Instagram getting rid of likes. She said, “I don’t really care about likes but I’m confused about what other people will see. Under the picture instead of saying the likes what will it say?” She doesn’t care about seeing people’s likes and she doesn’t care about people seeing her likes. 

Makayla DeButts, also a senior at Coe-Brown hates the idea. She said, “I think it will be weird. I don’t think it will look good. I don’t know why they would change it so drastically.  I think it will be good to get rid of the popularity factor, but other than that I am not a fan.” Many people do not feel very strongly towards Instagram getting rid of likes, but I honestly think it will be good to change it up. I think no likes will be good to make people feel more comfortable.

People will be willing to post more and feel more comfortable. And this is just because people will not see their likes. I think this is very good for people who have anxiety because only they  will see the amount of likes and no one can make fun of them for having a low number. I think Instagram getting rid of likes will be very beneficial and I think it is a good idea. Not many people agree but I believe it will ease some people’s minds. Even if people do not like the idea I think once it happens they will like it. 

–Sydney Feenstra