Instagram Tests Private Likes on Stories - New Feature Update

Instagram Tests Private Story Likes

Instagram has initiated a limited test of private likes on Stories. This new functionality, confirmed by the Meta-owned company, isn't yet available to all users. Currently, it’s being rolled out to a select group globally.

Limited Visibility and Data Access

The company clarified that only the creator of a Story can view the total number of likes received. There are no current intentions to make these like counts public.

A Meta spokesperson communicated to TechCrunch via email, stating their ongoing efforts to enhance connections between users. They confirmed the testing of Story Likes as a private reaction mechanism for Stories.

User Reports and Screenshots

Numerous users have reported encountering the feature and have shared screenshots on Twitter. These images reveal a notification informing users participating in the test that they may now receive likes on their Stories.

Existing Story Reactions

Currently, Instagram provides users with eight emoji reactions to respond to Stories. These include laughing, surprised, heart eyes, teary-eyed, clap, fire, celebration, and 100.

While these reactions aren’t publicly displayed, the Story author can see the total count for each emoji. Introducing likes offers an additional method for user engagement with Stories.

Engagement Measurement for Creators

This update also provides Instagram users and influencers with a new metric for gauging engagement on their Stories, mirroring the functionality available for regular posts.

Alignment with Private Like Counts

Instagram’s experiment with Story Likes aligns with its existing feature allowing users to hide like counts on their posts. Testing began in 2019, with a full rollout to all users in May of the previous year.

This latest test suggests a continued focus on private like mechanisms, as public visibility for Story Likes isn’t planned.

Boosting Story Engagement

Instagram has been actively seeking ways to increase user interaction with Stories. Recently, they introduced the “Add Yours” sticker, which facilitates the creation of public threads within Stories.

The "Add Yours" Sticker

This sticker enables users to respond to other users’ Stories with their own content, based on a given prompt or topic. It fosters a chain of content contributions, where each user adds their unique Story.

Notably, the “Add Yours” sticker shares similarities with TikTok’s “duet” feature, which allows users to create content alongside an original video.