This social media habit has been branded ‘weird’ — but you’re probably guilty of it

A new rule has been added to the book of social media etiquette, and honestly, we feel called out.

We’re all guilty of following an Instagram account or two, just to be nosy. Maybe it’s that girl who was popular at school, or that ex boyfriend youlove to hate on.

And, so as not to be branded a lurker, you reply to their stories with a simple ‘like’. That little heart symbol dances across the screen, and you can rest easy, knowing you’re a nice person.

Right? Wrong.

‘I’m just now finding out that we aren’t supposed to like people’s IG stories,’ wrote LA-based comedian Joey Pleasants on Threads. ‘Some people think it’s a form of flirting.’

There’s long been discussion about ‘soft-cheating’, which refers to the betrayal grey areas that technology brings; things like interacting with posts from Instagram models, subscribing to people’s OnlyFans, or watching porn behind your partner’s back.

And now, liking an Instagram story has been firmly added to the list of shady social media behaviour you must avoid.

One commenter had been burnt before, saying: ‘My girl’s friend complained to her that I was liking their stories, apparently it’s weird.’

But hold up, is liking a story really a form of soft cheating?

When commenters on Joey’s thread questioned why liking a story is such a crime, user Mikayla Schmitt summed it up for everyone.

‘You’re not supposed to like people‘s stories if you’re in a relationship and the person’s story you’re liking is a person you find attractive/have an Internet crush on.’

She also added: ‘The photo could be inappropriate for a person in a relationship to be liking.’

It might sound trivial, but 34% of people have ended a relationship due to something happening on social media.

But while a story like might seem like nothing to some, for others’ it could be a big deal. Nia Williams, founder of relationship coaching service Miss Date Doctor, previously told Metro: ‘While physical infidelity is more easily defined… online connections can also be considered cheating, depending on the couple’s boundaries and values.’

Although one partner may see their online activity as ‘curiosity or harmless fun,’ Nia advises couples need to discuss how they’ll naviage online interactions — including liking a persons’ story.

She adds: ‘Have a heartfelt conversation with your partner where you can express your concerns, establish clear boundaries, and work together to find compromises that honour your relationship values.’

Are you a chronic story liker?

If this is you, you’re not alone. Many of the commenters on Joey’s post admitted to liking stories with reckless abandon — and have recieved likes they can almost guarantee aren’t flirtatious.

‘Most of my followers are women older than my mother, and they like my stories. Pretty sure Debbie, Barbara, Cheryl, Susan, Linda, Pamela, Lisa, and Patricia aren’t flirting with me,’ wrote Brandy Simpson.

‘Like what you like. It’s why you follow people in the first place — because you like what they do. Let them know. Never waste an opportunity to make someone else feel good.’

‘F**k that,’ said another. ‘Cute aesthetic pic? Heart. You said something funny? Heart. You look pretty? Heart. Food looks yummy? Heart. Idgaf.’

Others called themselves ‘story-liking goblins’ and ‘whores’ when it came to liking their friends Instagram stories.

‘I’m like someone’s great aunt on FB,’ wrote Asia. ‘If I see you having a grand time, looking great, or enjoying life, I’m going to like it. Far too people don’t get hyped up and loved on. And in a world where we live at a distance, people need it.’

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