Instagram today announced the upcoming addition of some new features to the social networking app, including an updated camera design and a new Create Mode, aimed at making it easier to share content without a photo or video.

The updated camera design features a wheel with selectable camera modes and effects, along with dedicated sections for live broadcasting and the new Create Mode. Instagram says the new camera update is designed to make adding effects and interactive stickers to content simpler. Instagram plans to roll out the new camera and Create Mode around the world "soon."

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Instagram is also debuting a new shopping feature for finding items creators are using, and it's adding a new donation sticker that will let users raise money for nonprofit organizations.

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To use this new feature, open the camera, take or upload a photo, tap the sticker icon and select the donation sticker from the tray. Choose a nonprofit to support and customize your fundraiser using creative tools. Once it's live, swipe up on your story to view the total amount raised. 100% of the money you raise on Instagram goes to the nonprofit you are supporting.

Separately, Instagram told TechCrunch that starting later this week, it will be running a test in Canada that removes the total number of likes on photos and video views in the Feed, Permalink pages, and Profile.

Instagram says this feature is being tested because it wants followers to "focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get." Only a small percentage of Canadian users will be added to the test.

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The person who created the post can still open the Likers window to see the names of people who hearted their posts, but no total count is provided. It's not clear how long the test will last and if Instagram will roll this out to other regions in the future.

Top Rated Comments

dan9700 Avatar
54 months ago
All the social media so called celebs will be crying
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Saipher Avatar
54 months ago
Social media shouldn’t be a popularity contest. It should be a way to stay in touch with family and friends, and share content with them. I hope the idea of not publicly showing the number of likes catches on.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
miketcool Avatar
54 months ago
Instagram already did away with likes for us Business users with videos. Yes, you can see them in your statistics breakdown, but for everyone else, “views” are prioritized. This may actually help us who use Instagram for marketing because compelling images that make people slow down and stop will move to the top of the feed. This means people who use artificial means to boost their profile (think spammers) will lose their ability to boost. Good content should prevail (in demand). Looking forward to this transition!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scottsoapbox Avatar
54 months ago
But if Instagram is merely a competition for likes, how does it survive not having likes?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NickName99 Avatar
54 months ago
Instagram: the only good alternative to Facebook, until Facebook bought it
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
charlituna Avatar
54 months ago
You still see the amount of likes your content gets
but it still ruins the whole influencer cult-- oh wait maybe it's not a bad thing that the numbers are being removed. as long as we can see it on our posts etc.
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Why doesn't Instagram bring back the ability to view content in sequential order? Screw these other BS "features."
at least as an option. let us decide how we view stuff
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)