The digital world has given us many ways to connect, but it has also introduced new, sometimes unexpected, social expectations. One of those is the importance of Facebook likes. To some, a like is just a quick tap on the screen. To others, it’s a sign of acknowledgment, validation, and even friendship.
For some people, the number of likes on their posts is more than just a number—it’s a measure of how much people care about them. They see it as a sign of appreciation for the effort they put into sharing a photo, a thought, or an update. When they receive likes, it reassures them that people are noticing and engaging with their lives.
However, not everyone shares this perspective. Some people barely visit Facebook, and when they do, they may not have the time or habit of scrolling through their entire feed to like posts. Some use Facebook only for specific reasons—like keeping family updated about their lives—rather than actively engaging with every post they come across.
That’s where misunderstandings can happen. Imagine being confronted by someone who is upset because you didn’t like their post. You might be caught off guard, wondering, What post? I haven’t even seen it! But for them, it’s a different story. They carefully curated their content, posted it, and then waited for reactions. When certain people don’t engage, they may interpret it as neglect, indifference, or even a slight against them.
This difference in perception is what makes social media a tricky space to navigate. While some people casually scroll and like posts without much thought, others take note of who interacts with their content. They remember who consistently supports them and who seems absent.
It’s interesting how social media can create these new dynamics in friendships. Before Facebook, a person wouldn’t have expected a friend to compliment every outfit they wore or acknowledge every anecdote they shared. But in the digital world, even silence can speak volumes to some people.
Of course, not everyone is glued to Facebook, and not everyone has the same online habits. Some people may log in only occasionally—to share important life updates, such as photos of their children, with family and friends. Others get lost in different corners of the platform, such as watching reels of their favorite shows, without thinking about the posts waiting to be liked on their newsfeed.
The takeaway? Social media is just that—social. It thrives on interaction, but people use it differently. Some expect a like as a form of social reciprocity, while others see it as a passive, optional feature. It’s important to remember that not everyone values likes the same way. If a friend is upset about not receiving a like, it might be worth explaining how you use social media—or simply making an effort to engage more when you do log in. But at the same time, it’s equally important for people to remember that online interaction is not the only measure of real-life friendship.
A like is just a like, but true connections go far beyond a tap on a screen.
