Instagram hides the number of "likes" in an international test "to suppress the pressure".

Instagram conceals the number of likes on publications in several countries, including Australia and Japan, in order to "remove the pressure" on users.

The test that starts on Thursday means that users will see a "user name" and "others" under the publications, instead of the number, on their feed.

Instagrammers can always see how many likes their own messages receive.

It is feared that social media platforms will contribute to low self-esteem and a feeling of inadequacy in young people.

Instagram launched a similar trial in Canada in May and the new test is being rolled out in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, Japan and Brazil, the company told the BBC.

"We hope this test will dispel the number of" likes "received in a message, so that you can focus on sharing what you love," said Mia Garlick, Facebook's policy director for Australia and New Zealand, in a statement.

The goal, she adds, is that users feel less judged and see "if this change can help them focus less on the tastes and more on the narrative of their story".

Instagram said the test would not affect measurement tools for companies. And users can always see the list of people who liked other people's content by clicking on it.

When first using the test in Canada, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, said his goal was to minimize the stress badociated with publishing online with users competing for the number of likes in their publications.

"We want people to worry a little less about the number of tastes they get on Instagram and spend a little more time communicating with the people they care about," he says. explained at the time.

The number of "likes" that a publication gets is a measure of success or popularity on Instagram.

Studies suggest that this type of instant feedback on content can boost users' self-esteem, but hurt others as they do not get as many likes.

Studies have linked social media platforms to impacts on mental health, especially among youth.

The number of "likes" is also the way to value a post for the commercial side of Instagram.

Influencers who are paid for the content that they present in their publications are measured by the number of mentions they like learned from their activities on social networks.

Earlier this month, Instagram also revealed a new feature to help combat online bullying.