Published by the Zolyp team ·
What does hiding likes do?
It hides the number of likes from other people. You still see the total on your own posts. Instagram added the option after testing hidden counts and hearing mixed feedback: some people found it helped, while others use counts to see what's popular.
Our advice for a business: hide counts if a quiet post would put customers off, but keep watching your own numbers in Insights. Likes alone are a weak measure; saves, shares and messages tell you more.
Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Hide or unhide like counts on Instagram posts and reels, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram blog: Giving people more control on Instagram and Facebook, checked 15 October 2026
How do you hide likes before posting?
- Create your post as usual.
- Before sharing, tap More options at the bottom.
- Turn on Hide like counts on this post.
- Share the post.
Source: Instagram Help Centre: Hide or unhide like counts on Instagram posts and reels, checked 15 October 2026
How do you hide likes on a post or reel you've already shared?
- For a feed post, tap Options in the top right of the post.
- Tap Hide like count to others. Tap Unhide like count to others to show it again.
- For a reel, open it and tap Options in the bottom right.
- Tap Manage, then Hide likes.
Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Hide or unhide like counts on Instagram posts and reels, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Manage reels on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026
How do you stop seeing like counts on other posts?
This only changes what you see, and it applies to all the posts in your feed.
- Tap your profile picture in the bottom right.
- Tap Menu in the top right.
- Below What you see, tap Like and share counts.
- Turn Hide like & share counts on or off.
Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Hide or unhide like counts on Instagram posts and reels, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram blog: Giving people more control on Instagram and Facebook, checked 15 October 2026
How do you control who sees what you've liked?
Whatever you choose, the account that posted something can see that you liked it. You can always see your own likes in Your activity.
- Tap your profile picture, then Menu.
- Tap Likes you've made.
- Choose who can see what you like: everyone, people you follow, close friends, or no one.
Source: Instagram Help Centre: Manage who can see your likes on content on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026
Why isn't hiding likes working?
- You still see likes on your own posts. That's by design: only other people's view is hidden
- You can't find the option before posting. It's under More options at the bottom of the share screen
- You can't find it on a reel. It's under Options, then Manage
- A video shows views, not likes. Tap the view count to see its likes and who liked it
- Someone knows you liked their post. The account that posted can always see who liked it
Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Hide or unhide like counts on Instagram posts and reels, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Manage reels on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: See a post's likes on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Manage who can see your likes on content on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026
Judge posts on more than likes
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Common questions
Can I still see my likes if I hide them on Instagram?
Yes. Hiding the count only hides it from other people. You still see the total on your own posts.
Does hiding likes affect reach on Instagram?
Instagram's help pages on hiding likes don't say it changes how your post is shown. It only changes what other people see.
Can you hide likes on all your Instagram posts at once?
The help pages we checked only describe hiding the count post by post, before sharing or from each post's Options menu.
Can people see what posts I've liked?
You choose under Menu, Likes you've made: everyone, people you follow, close friends or no one. The account that posted can always see your like.
How do you see likes on an Instagram video?
Tap the view count below the video. You'll see the number of likes and who liked it.