Instagram Fitness Star Shares Nude Snap In Protest Against Removal Of Likes

You may be aware that a great atrocity is taking place in the Land Down Under - Instagram is hiding how many likes a post receives.

Isn't it just awful?

People can still see a list of likes on their photos and videos, but they can't see an overall number. For your average Jenny or Bruce this really makes no difference, as they can just count up the names if they want to know whether seven or eight people like it. But for 'Instagrammers', it's made it more difficult for them to know just how popular they are.

In protest, muscle man Hossein Balapour decided to share a picture of himself on the social media platform completely starkers.

Instagram/Yakiboy

The fitness star - whose 'Yakiboy' account has more than 253,000 followers - posted the nude with his privates covered by a pizza emoji, and he encouraged people in the caption to comment on the slice on lieu of likes.

He said: "Instagram got rid of the likes. Now all we have left is the comments... so let's see how many comments this pizza can get."

His request duly was met, with countless pizza-based comments left on the saucy snap.

One person said: "Love pizza with extra meat."

Another added: "Nice pepperoni."

A third added: "Meatasaurus."

Mia Garlick, Facebook Australia and New Zealand director of policy, said the no likey trial in Australia is intended to 'remove the pressure' on Instagram users.

Instagram/Yakiboy

According to News.com.au, she said: "We hope this test will remove the pressure of how many likes a post will receive, so you can focus on sharing the things you love.

"We are now rolling the test out to Australia so we can learn more about how this can benefit people's experiences on Instagram, and whether this change can help people focus less on likes and more on telling their story."

While the trial seems to be well-intentioned, it doesn't seem too popular with Instagram influencers who make a living from the platform.

Tammy Hembrow, who lives on the Gold Coast and has 10 million followers, was asked back in June what she would do if Instagram removed likes.

Instagram/Tammy Hembrow

According to the Daily Mail, she said: "Then we'll delete Instagram from my life. F**k Instagram."

However, Instagram has said that the trial should not affect business for influencers, as they will still be able to send companies private analytics.

Topics: Viral, Instagram, Social Media, Australia

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey