Psychology of social networks: dependence on likes

Is there a psychology of social networks? Have you ever thought about the psychology of likes? Why is it so important on social networks that people like your posts? What types of likes exist? Today we will talk about the hidden meaning of likes in social networks, and also talk about addiction to likes.

Every day, social media users leave their likes under the posts, for sure, she does not even think about the secret meaning hidden behind them. Of course, often likes have only one meaning – like the post. But sometimes even such a thing as a like becomes part of the strategy that will be listed below.

All types of likes in social networks

Likes from solidarity

Liking out of solidarity is a popular social media strategy.

Users regularly rate their friends’ posts to express support and try to help increase their asset, regardless of whether they actually like these posts.

Related article: Instagram trends for the next 5 years

Likes for colleagues

From this view, the following follows – the evaluation of the profiles of colleagues. In addition to friends, social media users also like to rate the posts of colleagues, executives, and even competitors. There is an opinion among users that likes help maintain relationships outside of social networks, as they complement the world around us.

Likes for proximity

The next type can be described as follows: likes to reduce the distance in communication. Some users have encountered a situation in which you want to remind an old friend about yourself or meet online, but are afraid to write directly.

Therefore, at first you are active in the person’s profile, perhaps scrolling through publications to the very first posts, and after some time you declare yourself. There is nothing shameful about this: this option can be a way to deal with embarrassment and does not seem intrusive in the world of social networks.

Likes – reactions

And finally, the last use of likes: a reaction that can be quickly left under a publication on the network. Users leave likes even if the topic of the post or the published photo does not evoke emotions in them. But since this method of evaluation takes little time, it continues to be used on the sites, sometimes meaning only “I saw it.”

Now that we’ve covered the strategies that likes are used in, it’s time to figure out why they affect our lives so much.

Related material: Likes will be canceled: new features of Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger from the F8 conference

Psychology of social networks: why people depend on likes

Human social needs require the same satisfaction as biological ones. It is important for people to feel belonging to something and communicate with others regularly so that the feeling of loneliness does not reach them.

Outside of social networks, these needs are met with live contact: a hug, a handshake, compliments, support, communication, and so on. On the Internet, there is no way to touch a person, so this need is satisfied by using likes.

Related material: Missed Opportunity Syndrome is the scourge of the digital society. How does advertising and social media grow FOMO?

It is easy to see how society more often prefers communication in social networks to a live meeting, so likes take on additional meaning. A tangible part of these users are teenagers, for whom social networks are an affordable way to express themselves. For them, likes are, first of all, approval and recognition.

Likes: quantity and quality

Some users care about the number of likes under their post, while others follow the “quality”. If a person is used to being the first everywhere, then on the network he will strive to collect as many positive ratings as possible by publishing content focused on audience requests for this.

In turn, those who are used to holding on to the opinions of friends and relatives will try to win them over on social networks.

There are users who like to feel part of a certain social group. Therefore, they blog about their hobbies or professions, and the number of likes for them is an indicator of belonging to a group.

What can you do to avoid becoming addicted to social media approval? We have also prepared an answer to this question.

Psychology of social. networks: how to deal with addiction to likes

First, realize that likes on social media are just as much a way to praise as compliments when you meet someone. Try to find sources of this praise outside of the Internet. It is impossible to find out why a particular user rated your post. At the same time, another verbal or non-verbal gesture in your direction outside the framework of social networks can be analyzed and understood what the person wanted to say.

If you need likes to become popular or grow your account to earn money, work on improving the quality of your content. Try to create original posts that will interest users, and not force them to like.

Related material: Basic rules for online business promotion

What do you think about likes? Leave your answers or ask questions below in the comments. Be sure – they will answer you!

Author: Exiterra.com Digital Agency