Likehet

Likehet is a neologism used in discussions of social media to describe the perceived value and motivational impact of "likes." The term is not an established scientific concept and is used variably in different contexts.

Origin and usage: The word arose in online discourse among digital sociologists and commentators during the 2010s. It functions as a shorthand for examining how positive feedback online translates into behavior and self-perception.

Definition and scope: Likehet can refer to either the subjective importance users assign to likes or to observable behaviors that seem driven by that importance, such as posting frequency, content tailoring, and timing of activity.

Measurement: Researchers may treat likehet as a latent construct, inferred from metrics like total likes, engagement rate, like velocity (likes gained over time), and self-reported valuation of likes in surveys.

Platform and social context: Differences among platforms—such as whether likes are public, private, or removed—can influence likehet, as can design interventions that hide or blur like counts.

Criticism: Critics warn that likehet risks oversimplifying social motivation, may pathologize ordinary online behavior, and may not generalize across cultures or age groups.