Facebook Tests Hiding Follower Counts on User Profiles

(Facebook Tests Hiding Followers Count on Profiles)

Facebook is trying a new feature. The company is testing hiding the number of followers displayed on user profiles. This change affects some users worldwide right now. The follower count is a key metric on the platform. People often see it as a sign of popularity.

The test removes this public number. Only the profile owner will see their own follower total. Visitors to the profile will not see the count. They will just see a list of followers. This aims to reduce social pressure. Many users feel stressed about their follower numbers. They compare themselves to others constantly.

Facebook believes hiding the count could help. The goal is to make users focus less on numbers. They want people to focus more on sharing content. The platform wants to build better connections. High follower counts can create unrealistic expectations. Smaller creators sometimes feel discouraged.

This test follows similar moves by other platforms. Instagram, owned by Facebook, previously hid likes. Twitter also experimented with hiding likes and retweets. The industry sees a trend towards reducing visible metrics. Research suggests visible counts harm mental well-being. People link their self-worth to these numbers.

The test is limited. Not all users will see this change immediately. Facebook will gather feedback from participants. They will study how it impacts user behavior. The company wants to understand if engagement changes. They also want to know if user well-being improves.

(Facebook Tests Hiding Followers Count on Profiles)

Facebook has not decided to make this permanent. The test results will guide the final decision. The company continues to explore ways to improve the user experience. Reducing competitive pressure is a key area of interest. This test is part of those ongoing efforts. The rollout is happening gradually to specific user groups.