Are you tired of the constant pressure to chase likes and validation on Instagram? Do you long for a more authentic and stress-free social media experience?
You’re not alone.
We’re constantly bombarded with countless metrics such as likes and shares, but are they bringing us genuine happiness or simply fueling our anxieties?
With Instagram likes often feeling like a measure of self-worth, it’s time to take control and prioritize your well-being. Instagram now lets you hide likes so you can focus on what truly matters — sharing moments, connecting with people, and expressing yourself without worrying about public scrutiny or approval.
That’s why we’re sharing our step-by-step guide on how to hide likes on Instagram.
How to hide likes on Instagram
Firstly, you can not only hide your likes on Instagram but also hide likes on accounts you follow. Doing both is super simple. Let’s see how:
How to hide likes on other Instagram posts
Follow these steps to hide likes on others’ Instagram posts in under a minute:
1. Go to your profile on the Instagram mobile app
2. Click on the hamburger menu (≡) on the top left
3. Tap Settings and privacy
4. Then, click on Like count
5. Turn on the ‘hide like count’ button
Once you have successfully done this, your posts will start looking like the image below:
Now, instead of seeing the total number of likes on a post, you’ll only see “Liked by username and others.”
Using the desktop version of Instagram? Follow these steps:
1. Open instagram.com
2. At the bottom left, you’ll see the hamburger menu with ‘More’ written next to it.
3. Click on it so the Settings open.
4. Then click on ‘What you see.’
5. Toggle the ‘Like count’ button so it turns blue.
After you’ve completed the above steps, here’s what posts will look like:
How to hide likes on your Instagram posts
You can hide likes on Instagram posts using two ways.
If you’re about to post a new photo, carousel, or reel and prefer not to display the likes, you can hide the likes before you actually share the post.
To get started, create your post like you typically would. When you reach the stage where you can add a caption, scroll down to locate the ‘Advanced Settings’ option at the end of the screen.
Inside this menu, you’ll find the setting to enable ‘Hide like and view counts on this post.’ Toggle the button so it turns blue (like in the screenshot above).
If you have already posted your content and later decide to hide the like counts, follow these steps:
- Go to the specific post where you want to hide your likes.
- In the upper right corner of your screen, tap the three dots.
- Next, tap on the ‘Hide like count’ option.
Need to hide post likes on the desktop version? Here’s how you can do it:
- Open Instagram.com
- On the left side of the screen, you’ll see a menu. Click on ‘Create.’
- Add your post like you normally would.
- Once you reach the ‘Write a caption’ page, click on ‘Advanced Settings.’
- Then, toggle the ‘Hide like and view counts on this post’ button so it turns blue (like in the picture above).
How to see likes on Instagram after they are hidden
Hiding post likes means they won’t be visible publicly. However, you can still see them behind the scenes. Here’s how you can do it:
1. If you have a regular account, you need to switch to an Instagram Business Account in your ‘Settings and Privacy’
- Then, click on ‘Account type and tools’
3. Now click ‘Switch to professional account’
4. Once you do that and choose your account type, you can go back to your profile
5. Click on the hamburger menu (≡)
6. Click on Insights to see an overview of your engagement
7. Then, you can scroll down to ‘Content you shared’ and click on individual posts or reels
8. Tap on the sort and filter button that shows up at the top
9. Now you can sort it by ‘newest’, ‘highest’, or ‘lowest’
10. You can also sort it by metrics (in this case, choose likes)
Alternatively, you can go to an individual post or reel. Tap on the ‘View Insights’ button under the post to see how it is performing.
Read More: When Is The Best Time To Post On Instagram?
How to see hidden likes on Instagram using Keyhole
Tracking your account engagement using Keyhole is a piece of cake. All you have to do is log in to your account. Add your Instagram profile by clicking on the ‘Profile Analytics’ tab at the top of your screen. Then, click the orange ‘Add new profile’ button.
From the dropdown, choose ‘Analyze new profile’ and click on the Instagram icon. Then enter your Instagram handle and click the orange ‘Analyze profile’ button.
Now, you can scroll down to the ‘Top Posts by Engagements’ section and click on the individual post you want to track to see the total engagements, likes, and comments. What’s more, we even offer a ‘View post on Instagram’ button that takes you straight to the post.
But why hide your Instagram likes?
According to a study, Instagram opens the doors to ‘social-comparison and feedback-seeking (SCFS).’ This is especially true for adolescents. The study revealed that the number of likes heaving affected adolescent students from 13 to 18 years who had high SCFS.
Fortunately, in recent years, Instagram introduced the option to hide likes, allowing users to keep their like counts private, both for their own posts and those of others. While this feature is entirely optional, it has sparked a significant shift in the way we engage with content on the platform.
First and foremost, hiding likes becomes a shield from the relentless pressure of the numbers game. Social media has long been criticized for contributing to anxiety and stress, with many individuals attaching their self-worth to the number of likes their posts receive. When you choose to hide your post likes, you can free yourself from the constant need for validation and create a healthier and more authentic relationship with the platform.
Plus, it encourages more meaningful interactions. When the focus shifts from the like count to the actual content, users are more likely to engage with posts that genuinely interest them, rather than those they believe will gain them the most likes. It leads to a more sincere and engaging user experience, where your connections are based on shared interests and personal expression rather than popularity.
In the larger context of social media, the decision to hide likes is a step towards recalibrating our digital lives. It can empower users to prioritize their well-being and redefine the purpose of online engagement. It is a nod to a future where the value of an Instagram post is not measured in likes but in the depth of the connections it forges and the authenticity it promotes.
So, reclaim your online experience, nurture genuine interactions, and find comfort in being yourself, beyond the numbers by hiding your Instagram likes.
Read More: How To Create Monthly Instagram Analytics Report + Free Template
So, what’s the right approach for your brand?
Do you really need to hide your Instagram likes, or are you okay with displaying them? If a large chunk of your audience is young people in their teens, hiding them would be preferable.
Otherwise, you leave it as is. Anyway, the real metrics that matter are your post comments and shares since they show you how well your target audience is receiving your posts. So, your likes, or lack thereof, need no longer define your worth.
Are you a marketer or an aspiring influencer looking to understand what your audience truly likes? You need a social listening tool that boosts your social media strategy and gives you helpful monthly reports.
With Keyhole, you can improve your social media strategy and find out what content your audience loves.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why would someone want to hide likes on Instagram?
You may want to hide likes on Instagram to reduce the pressure of validation or comparison on social media, promote more authentic interactions, or maintain privacy about the performance of your posts.
2. Can you choose which posts to hide likes on or is it all or nothing?
Currently, Instagram allows users to hide likes on individual posts, giving you the flexibility to decide which posts you want to keep the like count private on.
3. Does hiding likes affect engagement or reach on Instagram?
Hiding likes on Instagram does not impact the visibility of your posts or affect engagement metrics such as comments, shares, or saves. It is a personal preference feature that solely removes the visibility of the like count.
