Judging whether Instagram's removal of like totals from posts is working

Instagram has decided to stop showing like counts on posts. As the product manager, how would you measure whether this change is a success? Explain what it is trying to achieve, which metrics you would track, and how you would judge the result. ```hint Start from the problem Before naming metrics, work out what problem visible like counts caused and for whom; success should be defined by that problem shrinking. ``` ### Clarifying Questions - Are counts hidden only from other people, with authors still able to see the count on their own posts, or hidden from everyone? - Does the change cover ads and video posts as well as regular feed posts? - Is this a test in a few markets or a global launch, and can people choose to see counts again? - What prompted the change: pressure and comparison felt by people who post, people liking whatever is already popular, or likes being bought to look popular? ### What a Strong Answer Covers - The goal behind hiding counts, tied to a specific problem and the people it affects - The groups the change affects, including those who could lose from it - A primary success metric that reflects the goal, with supporting and guardrail metrics - A test or rollout design that isolates the change's effect and allows time for behavior to settle - How the results would be read, including the outcome that would lead you to adjust or reverse the change ### Follow-up Questions - Suppose casual users post more but the biggest creators post less and some move to other apps. Is the change a success? - How would you measure social pressure or wellbeing, which no log captures directly? - How would network effects bias a test that randomizes individual users, and what would you do about it?