Australian Instagram star Mikaela Testa copped plenty of abuse after posting an emotional rant on social media when the platform removed 'likes' earlier this month.

But now the 19-year-old from Melbourne has explained just why she was so upset about the social media change.

Testa runs her own business, a subscription website where she shares provocative and pornographic images and uses Instagram as a form of advertising for that business.

Mikaela Testa made headlines after a teary tirade against Instagram. (Instagram)

"Instagram is what I use for advertising, I’ve only been doing it for five months, I’m very new to the job, but I’ve made $64,471 since I started," she told news.com.au.

Testa explained the emotional rant she shared online was because she was "genuinely upset" that the change could have a big impact on her finances.

The social media star admitted it made her think a lot about what the change could mean for other small businesses, but added the trolling she received also really hurt.

"There were lots of reasons why (I was upset), yes about the likes — but also about all of the hate comments I was receiving about my initial post," she explained.

Testa doesn’t consider herself an "influencer" because she doesn’t use her profile to promote products or brands, instead she drives traffic to her subscription page.

That is where her customers pay to see her in situations from racy poses to full nude shots and where her income comes from.

In the days after Instagram removed likes, the 19-year-old went on a tirade over the decision, calling it a "sad day for those who have Instagram as a job" in a Facebook post.

"Regardless of what you may think Instagram is a REAL job and those in the industry have worked to where they're at," she continued.

The social media star added that she's put her "blood swear and tears" into her following which she felt had been "ripped away" from her now.

The backlash to her comments was swift from other Instagram users and in an emotional video on Instagram explained she was going to take a break from the platform.

"I just think I'm going to have a really big break from social media for a while, because really it's just... I know Instagram mentally is a problem for me," she tearfully admitted.

"I can't even accept that so I am just going to leave for maybe a couple of weeks so I can get back on track."

Despite her teary statement, Testa has still be actively using Instagram sharing her signature racy snaps although admitted she "feels like pure sh-" and "wants her likes back" in one recent post.