The need to be "liked"

I am beginning to realize the importance of the Like button on facebook. The more likes you have, the more popular you are. Our world has come to people judging eachother's statements, links, and photos with the very simple press of a button. In a second you either like, or you are uninterested.
 I find myself dependent on this like button, and am judging myself by the amount of likes on my posts. Because of this, I have been liking a lot of friends statements more easily, in order to show my respect and appreciation, and to make loved ones feel important.
 I do not feel like I am liked very much, and I am allowing this to get to me. Am I not communicating clearly enough, or is what I am saying really of no interest? What is worse is when people actually complain about my posts, or posts that are generally similar to mine. Is what I am saying really that aggrevating? If so, than why are they reading them? We do have the option to hide the posts.
 The need to respect one's beliefs has been a topic that has stirred up a lot of controversy lately. Respecting a person is completely different than respecting their belief. And what does it mean to respect a belief? Does it mean you must not challenge that belief for fear of damaging the other's ego, because they are so attached to their belief that they do not even know who they are without it?
 So I am left with either posting meaningless stuff about football, or fashion, or I can get the rundown from people who don't like what I have to really say. This "walking on eggshells" feeling is not necessary if people would take responsibility for their own emotions.
 I forgive myself for accepting and allowing myself to be dependent on how many likes i get. I forgive myself for accepting and allowing myself to become aggrevated with people who blame their emotion on others. I forgive myself for accepting and allowing myself to blame my own emotions on the actions of others.