The company is testing a new feature that causes all likes to appear as numbers, even if a photo has fewer than 11 total likes. Previously, photos with fewer than 11 likes showed the usernames of each person who had liked the photo
It's not clear how long Instagram has been testing the feature but many users began seeing the new likes over the last couple days. An Instagram spokesperson confirmed the test to Mashable but didn't say if, or when, the feature would show up for more people.
It's also unclear if those who are part of the test are seeing only numbered like counts or if there's a new, smaller threshold for when likes turn to numbers. Some users said on Twitter that the likes switched over after the first three. Instagram declined to elaborate on specifics of the test.
It may sound like a small change but it could be a significant one — particularly to the app's younger users. Achieving 11 likes is often perceived as an important milestone for each Instagram post so changing the way the app shows likes could have a big impact.
Predictably, reactions to the new feature were mixed.
Instagram always is showing numbers!!! Now when I post a pic and get 5 likes I won't feel like a loser !!!