Instagram removed the total like counts for each posts back in 2019 as part of an initiative to support audience wellbeing. With this potentially coming back, users would be given the option to display their total like counts for each post again.
At the time, removing like counts on posts, was thought to help reduce competition over vanity metrics, which would in-turn lessen social comparison, and its associated negative impacts. For a visual-focused platform like Instagram, this is especially important.
Currently instagram hasn’t revealed any specific data on the effectiveness of hidden like counts experiment, but associated research studies have shown that the initiative could be beneficial, based on smaller-scale test scenarios. Seeing that Instagram has not updated this, we’d assume that it should be showing positive results.
On the contrary, findings might have also shown that some people still want to show their total like counts, and with like counts providing an indicator of relevance on other platforms such as TikTok.
App researcher Paluzzi also noted that with this new feature, users would be able to hide like counts on posts both within the composer when initially posting, and in retrospect, while Instagram’s also looking to add a setting which would enable users to hide like counts on other people’s posts, as displayed within their app.
Your LinkedIn Stories now has a Swipe-Up function
LinkedIn was testing the feature back in September, but has now officially launched the ‘Swipe-Up’ function so that users can add links into their LinkedIn Stories. It is, however, not available to all users yet at this stage.
The new option enables you to add a ‘See more’ CTA to your LinkedIn Stories, which will link through to a URL. Users will be able to add a URL via a new ‘link’ icon in the Stories options, at the top right of the composer screen.
Similar to Stories on other platforms, viewers can access the link by swiping up on their screen.
As an added functionality, users will have the option to preview and edit their link before publishing and have access to link click information in their Stories insights.
There is a fairly significant catch. As per LinkedIn, the ‘swipe up’ feature for LinkedIn Stories is only currently available to LinkedIn Pages and Individual members who have at least 5,000 connections or followers and the Follow button as the primary action on their profile (instead of Connect) – the 5,000 connections mark will put it beyond the reach of many individual users.
There’s likely more benefit for brand stories, and according to LinkedIn, all Company Pages will be able to add URLs to their LinkedIn Stories.
LinkedIn is looking to align with content behaviors, so even if Stories feels like a bit of an odd fit at present, it’s the preferred platform of younger users (over the traditional news feed), so it could be more relevant over time, as opposed to being immediately critical. Most importantly, with the option to add links, it could be another way to drive traffic to your pages.
Youtube Launches New Hashtag Showcase Page
Youtube has dropped a new hashtag search tool, providing a full page of Youtube video suggestions that includes your chosen tag, alongside usage insights, all on one screen.
The hashtag displays page provides a complete listing of every video that has mentioned the specific hashtag. Overall insights into how many videos and channels have used the tag, can be seen at the top of the screen, below the search bar.
This could serve multiple purposes, beyond simply content discovery. Users will now be able to search for relevant hashtags related to their personal content, alongside statistics. They will also be able to tap into each clip to get more insights on associated tags and learn how they are performing.
These listings serve as guidance for what works in each category. As Youtube has mentioned, videos are listed by popularity; helping users identify which video title, thumbnail image and relevant creator works the best for each category. Clicking on a linked hashtag on any Youtube page will automatically take you to these search pages. Alternatively, users can use the following URL, replacing the search tag at the end:
