How to Hide Likes on Instagram in 4 Clicks

Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of like counts? Wondering how hiding them could change your Instagram experience? 

We have ALL the answers. You’ll learn to hide likes on your posts and reels, adjust settings for other users' posts, and determine if it affects your content’s performance. 

Ready to take control of your social media? Let’s get started.

How to Hide Instagram Likes?

This setting can be turned on or off before or after publishing, and it can also be hidden on others’ posts. 

How to Hide Likes on Instagram Posts and Reels Before Publishing

If you prefer to hide like counts on your posts and reels before they go live, Instagram allows you to do this easily during the creation process:

1. Click on the hamburger menu (≡)  on your profile > then tap Settings.

2. Find Privacy in the Settings menu.

3.  In the Privacy menu, tap Posts.

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4. Tap Hide like and view counts option > Switch to On.

How to Block Likes on Instagram After You Publish

Here’s how you can hide likes on other users’ posts in just a few steps:

1. Click on the hamburger menu (≡)  in the top-right corner.
   
2. Tap Hide like count.

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How to Hide Likes on Other User’s Instagram Posts

If you’d rather not see like counts on posts from other accounts in your feed, you can adjust this setting globally:

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.

2. Click on the Hamburger menu (≡) in the top-right corner and select Settings and Privacy.

3. Tap Hide like and view counts.

Using the desktop version of Instagram? Follow these steps:

1. Open Instagram.com in your browser.
2. At the bottom left of the screen, click More (≡).
   
3. In the menu that appears, click Settings.
4. Navigate to the What You See section.
5. Toggle the Like count button to turn it on.

Note that when this setting is enabled, counts, views, reposts, and quotes from other profiles will also be hidden on Threads.‍

Can I See Likes on Instagram Even If They’re Hidden?

Yes, you can always check the total by counting on your posts privately. There are two ways to do it:

1. If you have a Instagram business account or Instagram creator account, you can access your like data through Instagram Insights: Go to your profile > tap the Insights button > navigate to your post analytics to see engagement metrics, including likes.‍

2. To check your post directly, Go to the post you want to review > Tap “Others” under the like section of your post > View the total number privately in the post’s insights.‍

Does Hiding Likes on Instagram Affect the Performance of Your Posts?

No. The Instagram algorithm prioritizes content based on factors like engagement, relevance, and user interactions, not the visibility of like counts. 

However, it can shift the way users and brands approach social media strategies:

• Creators: Hiding likes may reduce the pressure to post “trendy” content and encourage more authentic sharing, which can resonate better with audiences.
• Brands: Without visible like counts, brands might measure campaign success more using deeper engagement metrics like comments, shares, and saves.

Why Hide Likes on Instagram?

Social media can create a competitive atmosphere where counts become a measure of validation. By hiding likes, Instagram helps reduce the anxiety and pressure associated with engagement metrics, promoting healthier interactions.
Does the number of likes influence your opinion of a post? For many users, the answer is yes. Hiding likes to shift attention to the content, encouraging creators to focus on authenticity and originality.

Is Hiding Instagram Likes Right for Your Brand?

We’ve covered everything you need to know about hiding likes on Instagram. Now, deciding what works best for your brand or personal strategy is up to you. 

Not sure how to optimize your Instagram strategy? Whether it’s creating UGC campaigns or managing influencer partnerships, let us help you with that. Schedule a call today to get started!

FAQs

Can I Reverse These Settings?

Absolutely! You can unhide like counts on your posts or feed anytime by following the same steps and toggling the settings off.

Can You Choose Which Posts to Hide Likes on?

Yes, you can hide counts on specific posts or apply the setting to all posts globally. However, if you prefer a more universal approach, you can hide likes on all posts in your feed through the global settings.

What Do People See When You Hide Likes on Instagram?

Viewers will see "Liked by [user]" without the total like count on your posts.

Why Would Someone's Likes Disappear on Instagram?

They may have hidden likes, or a temporary glitch or privacy setting could limit visibility.