Facebook hides ‘likes’ to ease social pressure, anxiety, in hopes of reducing ‘competition’

Facebook has begun hiding the number of “likes” for posts in Australia, it said Friday, a trial designed to ease social pressure that could be rolled out worldwide.

Account holders across the country will also be blocked from viewing the number of reactions and video views on other people’s posts from Friday, but will still be able to see how people respond to their own.

“We don’t want Facebook to feel like a competition,” the company said in a statement.

“This is a test to see how people engage with this new format.”