Facebook has begun hiding like counts in Australia

Facebook has officially begun hiding like counts on posts in Australia, a report by TechCrunch on Thursday revealed.

According to the publication, Facebook confirmed that the test will run for a limited time to help the company understand if hidden like counts “improve people’s experiences” online.

Together with the like counts, users won’t be able to see reactions or video view counts either. From screenshots posted by TechCrunch, however, it seems users will still be able to see the total number of comments on a post.

The news comes after researcher Jane Manchun Wong spotted the feature on Facebook earlier this month.

Like YouTube and Instagram, Facebook believes that followers and likes are the source of anxiety for many people around the world.

If the test proves positive, the online world could soon become less competitive and more welcoming for those who enjoy sharing on social media.

Feature image: Facebook