How to Hide Likes on Instagram? A Step-by-Step Guide to More Privacy & Focus
Instagram has become more than just a photo-sharing app—it’s a social space where validation often comes in the form of likes. But what if you want to focus on content rather than the numbers? Whether you’re trying to protect your mental well-being, reduce social pressure, or just want a cleaner look, hiding likes on Instagram can be a game-changer.
Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of hiding Instagram likes, why you might want to do it, and how it affects your experience on the platform.
Why Hide Likes on Instagram?
Before we get into the “how,” let’s address the “why.” Instagram introduced the option to hide likes in response to growing concerns about mental health and social validation. Here are a few key reasons you might want to hide your Instagram likes:
Reduced Social Pressure: No more worrying about how many likes your post gets compared to others.
Focus on Content: Engage with posts based on quality, not popularity.
Better Mental Well-being: Avoid the dopamine-fueled highs and lows that come with fluctuating like counts.
Less Comparison: Stop measuring your success against someone else’s numbers.
A Cleaner Aesthetic: Some users prefer a minimalistic, distraction-free look.
Now that we know the benefits, let’s talk about how you can hide likes on your own posts as well as on posts you view.
How to Hide Likes on Instagram Before Posting
Instagram allows you to hide likes before sharing a post. Here’s how:
- Open Instagram and tap the ‘+’ icon to create a new post.
- Select your photo or video, add filters and captions.
- Before hitting ‘Share,’ tap ‘Advanced Settings’ at the bottom.
- Toggle on ‘Hide Like and View Counts on This Post.’
- Post as usual—now, likes will be hidden from everyone except you.
✅ Pro Tip: You can always go back and unhide like counts later!
How to Hide Likes on Existing Instagram Posts
Already posted a photo but want to hide its likes? No problem!
- Go to your Instagram profile and find the post you want to edit.
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) at the top-right corner of the post.
- Select ‘Hide Like Count.’
- Done! Now, no one but you can see the number of likes.
Want to bring back the like count later? Just follow the same steps and select ‘Unhide Like Count.’
How to Hide Likes on Other People’s Posts
If you don’t want to see like counts on posts you scroll past, you can disable them across Instagram.
- Open Instagram and tap your profile icon.
- Tap ‘☰’ (menu icon) > Settings & Privacy.
- Scroll to ‘Hidden Likes and View Counts’ under the ‘Posts’ section.
- Toggle on ‘Hide Like and View Counts’.
Now, when you scroll through Instagram, posts won’t show like counts!
How Does Hiding Likes Affect Engagement?
Many influencers and businesses wonder—does hiding likes hurt engagement? The answer isn’t straightforward.
🔹 For casual users: No real impact; your content still reaches your audience.
🔹 For influencers: Brands might ask for engagement insights, but they can still access your analytics.
🔹 For businesses: Focus on comments, shares, and saves—these show real engagement more than likes.
Interestingly, some users find that removing likes boosts engagement because people interact more authentically when numbers aren’t in focus.
Learn more about Instagram’s latest updates here.
Can You Still See Who Liked Your Post?
Yes! Even if like counts are hidden, you can still check who liked your post by tapping on ‘Liked by [user] and others.’ The difference is, the total number of likes won’t be visible to others.
FAQs
1. Can I hide likes on Instagram permanently?
Yes! You can keep the setting on for all posts, or change it manually anytime.
2. If I hide likes, can I still see them?
Yes, you can still check who liked your post. Only the total count is hidden.
3. Can I hide likes from specific people?
No, the setting applies to everyone—there’s no way to hide likes from certain followers while showing them to others.
4. Will hiding likes affect Instagram’s algorithm?
No, the algorithm still prioritizes engagement (likes, comments, shares, saves) even if the like count is hidden.
5. Can businesses and influencers hide likes?
Yes! Even professional accounts can hide likes, but brands may still request engagement metrics for sponsorships.
6. Can I hide likes on Reels?
As of now, Instagram does not allow hiding likes on Reels—only on regular posts.
7. Can I see hidden like counts from other users?
No, if someone hides their like count, you can’t see it.
8. Do hidden likes apply to old posts too?
Yes, you can go back and hide likes on older posts anytime.