Instagram today announced some big changes coming to the popular photo-sharing app, including one tweak that may prove controversial.
Announced today is a new camera design for the Instagram app, which will make it easier to use creative tools like effects and interactive stickers. This new camera design will also have a Create Mode that'll make it easier for you to share without a photo or video.
Another new feature coming to Instagram is the Donate Sticker for Stories. With you, you can add a sticker to your Instagram Stories that'll make it easy for your viewers to donate. You can choose the nonprofit that you'd like to support and customize the fundraiser using creative tools. Once it's live, you can view the amount of money that you've raised. Instagram says that all of the money you raise will go to the nonprofit that you choose to support.
Starting next week, you'll be able to shop products that are being worn and used by creators on Instagram. This feature will let you tap on an image to see exactly what the person is wearing and then buy it on the spot. Instagram has been making a push into shopping lately, and this new feature is the latest example of that.
Finally, Instagram has confirmed that it's testing hiding the number of Likes that a post gets. The test will launch in Canada this week and will remove the total number of likes on photos and video views in the feed, permalink pages, and profile. "We are testing this because we want your followers to focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get," an Instagram spokesperson told TechCrunch.
Some Instagram users may be discouraged about their current posts or decide not to put up new posts in the future based on the number of Likes that they get compared to other users. Instagram wants to fight this, and hiding the number of Likes that a photo gets is one way to do it.
What do you think of Instagram's test of removing Likes? Is it a smart move or no?
