CNET reports that Facebook may soon start hiding likes on News Feed posts. The company already tested a similar move on Instagram in August as a way to help break users’ fixation with getting likes on their pictures.
This is a spectacular idea. Everything about it will be better for everyone, except… are we not so addicted to the endorphin rush caused by accumulating likes that we will see it elsewhere? Worse, will we all get some digital social media version of delirium tremens (DTs) as we go through withdrawal? This is totally uncharted social media territory.
That said, Facebook can test an idea on a billion people before breakfast, so if they think it can work, we should all be all-in. Likes are not a business outcome; they are just a mind-numbing drug. Kudos FB. Let’s hope it works!!!
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