After two years of testing, Instagram announced the official launch of the hide likes counter feature. This was reported in the blog of the social network. The developers have made the mentioned function optional – anyone can enable it in the platform settings.

Hiding the like counter makes it inaccessible only to third-party users. Account holders can still track audience activity statistics, but this will take a few extra clicks.

The function has become a simpler version of the originally conceived system. Previously, the company was forced to turn off the meters. The change was supposed to relieve tension among users, but after its implementation, controversy erupted over the effectiveness of the innovation. As a result, the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, said in a recent interview with The information that the change acted as a “polarizer” and the function was refined.

In the latest update, the social network announced that it plans to spend additional funds to study the impact of the platform on teens and young users. The company called on various non-profit organizations and researchers to work together on this issue to understand the service experience.