Does Instagram Suppress Likes? The Truth Behind the Mystery

What’s Going On with Instagram and Likes?

Honestly, if you’ve been on Instagram lately, you’ve probably noticed something strange—likes aren't as visible as they used to be. At first, I thought it was just a bug, maybe a weird glitch in the app. But after chatting with a friend who works in digital marketing, I began to realize something bigger was happening. Instagram has been making changes, and they’ve been gradually rolling out a feature that hides the number of likes on posts. So, are they really suppressing likes, or is this just a part of a bigger plan? Let's dive in.

The Purpose of Hiding Likes on Instagram

Okay, here’s where it gets interesting. The reason Instagram decided to hide likes isn't a conspiracy (as tempting as that idea sounds). Instagram said they were doing it to improve user mental health, especially for younger users who felt the pressure of social validation. To be fair, it makes sense. I remember a time when I posted a photo, checking the likes obsessively, wondering if I was getting enough attention. It was exhausting. So, I can understand why Instagram thought removing that pressure would help.

But, does it? Honestly, that’s still up for debate. In some ways, yes, it’s reduced the anxiety, but it’s also made the whole engagement process feel less transparent. Now, instead of seeing the raw numbers, we get a "Liked by [name] and others" message. But... how many "others"? It's like a mystery wrapped in an enigma, and, well, not everyone’s on board with it.

Is It Really About Mental Health?

I’ve had mixed feelings about this whole mental health narrative. On one hand, yeah, less stress over likes sounds great, but on the other hand, it feels a bit like a bandaid on a much bigger issue. Think about it—social media is still a platform built on engagement. Hiding likes doesn’t change the fact that people are still looking for validation. I’ve heard from several friends, especially influencers, who say that engagement rates are now harder to track, which is a real problem if you're trying to build a brand or earn money.

The Impact on Influencers and Brands

Speaking of brands, let’s talk about how Instagram’s changes affect them. If you’re an influencer, or even a small business owner, likes used to be one of the easiest ways to measure success. Now, with the likes being hidden, the game has changed.

I was talking with Sarah, a friend who’s a social media manager, and she mentioned how brands are struggling to assess the performance of their campaigns. Without the clear metric of likes, everything feels more opaque. Sure, you can still see the number of comments or shares, but let’s be real—likes were a quick and easy way to see how well something was doing. Now, there's a sense of uncertainty. Are people still engaging? Are they less likely to interact if they don't see the like count?

Are Engagement Rates Dropping?

I’ve noticed that engagement on my own posts feels different now. Without being able to see likes, I’ve started questioning whether my content is resonating with my followers. According to Sarah, some brands are seeing a drop in engagement rates since Instagram began hiding likes, which isn’t great if you're trying to grow your presence online. But then again, maybe the drop isn’t because of the hidden likes, but due to changes in the algorithm that prioritize certain types of content. I don’t know. It’s hard to say.

What Does the Data Really Say?

Okay, now let’s talk data. Has Instagram really suppressed likes, or is this just a perception? Actually, there’s been a lot of research into the effects of hiding likes. Some studies have shown a slight decrease in overall engagement, but not a drastic one. However, the impact varies by region, age group, and the type of content you post. I know, it’s all a bit too nuanced to draw any firm conclusions, but it's important to note that Instagram claims it is still testing the feature, so it might not be a permanent change.

But hey, one thing’s for sure: people are definitely talking about it more. Some users claim that they feel more liberated without the constant validation of likes, while others, especially content creators, feel like the game has gotten way harder to play.

Should We Worry About the Future of Instagram Likes?

So, what does all of this mean for the future of Instagram? Well, to be honest, I’m torn. Part of me thinks Instagram is trying to create a healthier online environment by removing the pressure of likes. But another part of me thinks that this could make the platform less engaging in the long run—if people can't easily see what’s popular, they might not interact as much.

Personally, I’m still adjusting to the new way of doing things. Sometimes I like the mystery, but other times, I miss the clear and immediate feedback that likes gave. It’s complicated, for sure.

Conclusion: A Complex Change

At the end of the day, Instagram's move to suppress likes is a complex one. It’s not just about hiding numbers for the sake of mental health; it’s also about changing the entire way we measure social media success. Whether this shift is positive or negative depends on who you ask. Some love it, some don’t.

Honestly, I think it’s still too early to say if this is the right move for Instagram. But hey, we’re all in this together, figuring out how to navigate a platform that’s constantly evolving. So, what do you think—are you a fan of the no-likes Instagram? Or do you miss the old days of seeing that like count rise? Let me know your thoughts.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.