Instagram tests removing number of ‘likes’ on photos and videos

Facebook Inc.’s Instagram is considering removing the number of “likes” on posts, a move that mirrors efforts by social media companies like Twitter Inc. to make their platforms healthier places for their users.

‘Later this week, we’re running a test in Canada that removes the total number of likes on photos and video views,’ Facebook said in a blog post Tuesday ahead of the company’s F8 developer conference. ‘We are testing this because we want your followers to focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get.’