New Instagram layout adds like, comment and share counts to posts

Instagram’s been on a rollercoaster lately, throwing curveballs at users left and right. From the shock of a rectangular grid and the mysterious disappearance of post timestamps to new fonts for Reels and Stories, we’ve all been passengers on this wild ride. And now, get ready for the latest twist: like, comment, and share counts are no longer just icons. They’ve got numbers now, people.

The platform is rolling out a new interface that’s getting a mixed reception from users. This change is part of a broader update that Instagram has been testing for the past year, and now it’s making its way to a wider audience.

The new design ditches the familiar, minimalist icons beneath posts, replacing them with larger buttons that prominently display the interaction counts. For some, this new look is a welcome change, adding more transparency to post performance. But for others, it’s an unwelcome distraction, especially coming on the heels of other controversial changes like the removal of date and time from posts.

Users are taking to social media to voice their opinions, with some missing the simplicity of the old design and others questioning the logic behind these updates. It seems Instagram’s constant tinkering with its interface is leaving some users feeling nostalgic for the old days when the app was less focused on metrics.

But there’s a method to the madness. Instagram’s leadership believes that focusing on share rates over traditional metrics like likes and comments is key to helping content spread and connect users. This shift is part of a larger strategy to prioritize content that people want to share with their friends, which Instagram sees as a stronger indicator of quality and relevance.

So, whether you’re a fan of the new look or already longing for the old layout, this change is likely here to stay — for now. Instagram’s latest update is all about getting content out there and encouraging connections, even if it means shaking up the familiar layout that we’ve all gotten used to.