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It's possibly the same reason people wear clothing with a large brand-name printed across the back/front. People often associate brands with their "tribe", and

by zizee 7y ago

It's possibly the same reason people wear clothing with a large brand-name printed across the back/front. People often associate brands with their "tribe", and liking posts could be another way to signal that they are part of the in-group. Disclaimer: I possibly don't know what I am talking about as I don't really know Instagram mechanics at all, but I am guessing they are similar to Facebook's.

meowface 7y ago
Does Instagram broadcast a notification to your friends / followers when you like something? I don't use it, but I think it'd need something like that for a signaling theory to make sense.
- KeepFlying 7y ago
  There is no broadcast, but when you are scrolling your feed you will see a selection of friends who have liked each post. Also if you view the activity feed (in a different corner of the app) you can see what your friends have been up to. This is where you will see more explicitly "Sally, Sue, John and Dave liked a post by Mr. Famous" (and similar activity).
  - josteink 7y ago
    > There is no broadcast, Wrong. In your notifications screen (who liked your stuff), you can change pane and instead see what your friends has liked. Most people don’t know it, but yes, it means you can “spy” on your spouse or vica-verce. It’s the sort of creepy most people wanted to avoid when they left Facebook, and unknown to them, Instagram still has it.
    - helloindia 7y ago
      The "likes/comment" notification is still chronological. And if you follow around more than 300 accounts, then it's quite difficult to spy. But if you follow only selected few people(say <50), then yes, it is much easier to spy.
      - josteink 7y ago
        I’m getting downvoted and I’m not sure why. In case anyone misunderstood my comment, I didn’t encourage people to spy. My comment was merely meant as a correction to an incorrect claim and making people aware that they can be spied upon, also on Instagram.

by zizee 7y ago

meowface 7y ago

Does Instagram broadcast a notification to your friends / followers when you like something? I don't use it, but I think it'd need something like that for a signaling theory to make sense.

KeepFlying 7y ago
There is no broadcast, but when you are scrolling your feed you will see a selection of friends who have liked each post. Also if you view the activity feed (in a different corner of the app) you can see what your friends have been up to. This is where you will see more explicitly "Sally, Sue, John and Dave liked a post by Mr. Famous" (and similar activity).
- josteink 7y ago
  > There is no broadcast, Wrong. In your notifications screen (who liked your stuff), you can change pane and instead see what your friends has liked. Most people don’t know it, but yes, it means you can “spy” on your spouse or vica-verce. It’s the sort of creepy most people wanted to avoid when they left Facebook, and unknown to them, Instagram still has it.
  - helloindia 7y ago
    The "likes/comment" notification is still chronological. And if you follow around more than 300 accounts, then it's quite difficult to spy. But if you follow only selected few people(say <50), then yes, it is much easier to spy.
    - josteink 7y ago
      I’m getting downvoted and I’m not sure why. In case anyone misunderstood my comment, I didn’t encourage people to spy. My comment was merely meant as a correction to an incorrect claim and making people aware that they can be spied upon, also on Instagram.