On Instagram, you can hide the number of likes on your own posts and on posts by others. For your own photo, open the post menu. Do you not want to see counts on other people’s posts? Search for ‘likes’ in your account settings. You only hide the counter: people can still like the post, and their names may remain visible.
Below, you will read the steps, what this means for your privacy and how to turn the counter back on.
Hide the number of Instagram likes on other people’s posts
Do you want to see fewer counters while scrolling? Find the setting for posts you view. This does not change the counter below your own photo.
In Meta’s 2021 announcement it states that you can hide counts on other people’s posts and your own posts. For your own posts, you can do this before or after posting.
This is how to find the setting in the app. The names and locations of buttons may differ on iPhone and Android.
- Open Instagram and go to your account settings.
- Look for a setting about likes or the number of likes. Does the menu have a search field? Type ‘likes’.
- Check whether the option concerns posts by other people. Turn on hiding those counts if you see that option.
- Return to your post overview. Open a post where you previously saw a counter to check whether it worked.
Can’t find the option? Check whether an Instagram update is available and search again afterwards. An update does not guarantee that the option will appear. Do you use multiple accounts? Also check that you have opened the correct account.
Hide Instagram likes on an existing post
For a photo that is already on your profile, adjust the counter on the post itself.
- Open the post on your profile.
- Open the menu with options for that post.
- Look for the option to hide the number of likes. The exact wording may differ.
- Choose that option if you see it.
Suppose you want to keep a holiday photo online, but prefer it without a public counter. You then only change how that post is displayed. You do not need to repost the photo.
Want to know what others see? Ask someone who is allowed to view your post to check whether the counter is hidden. You do not need to share login details for this.
Hide Instagram likes before posting
You can also look for this option while creating a new post.
- Prepare your photo or video and caption.
- Before sharing, view the additional settings for your post.
- Look for an option to hide the number of likes.
- Turn it on if you see the option, then publish your post.
Is the option not listed? After posting, check the post menu as described above. Do not delete your post just because you cannot find the setting immediately.
Show hidden Instagram likes again
Want to see the number of likes again? Return to where you hid the counter and reverse your choice.
- On other people’s posts: search your account settings again for the setting for the number of likes. Turn off hiding.
- On your own post: open the post menu. Look for the option to show the number of likes again.
Pay attention to which counter you are changing. The setting for posts you view is separate from what visitors see below your photo.
What remains visible when you hide Instagram likes?
A hidden counter does not make likes anonymous. According to iCreate’s 2021 explanation the list of accounts may remain visible if someone taps the text with ‘others’.
Do not want someone to know which post you like? Do not rely on a hidden counter. Before liking, check what is visible on the post.
You manage who can view your photo separately. Want to restrict access to the photo itself? Check your account’s privacy settings. Hiding likes does not restrict access to your photo.
Hide likes on Instagram Reels and business accounts
For a Reel: open the Reel’s own menu and look for an option for the number of likes. Do not assume that the choice for a regular photo also exists for Reels. The available options may differ by account and app version.
For a business account: check the menu of the post you want to adjust. Also view the insights: the figures about your post that you can see as the owner.
After making the change, check two things: is the counter hidden from visitors, and which figures can you still view yourself? These are separate questions. Do not assume the same display for all business accounts.
Spend less time focusing on Instagram likes
Do you keep opening your own photo to check the number of likes? You can try whether a hidden counter helps you pay less attention to it. You will find out whether you like it by trying it. It does not guarantee that you will feel better or that more people will see your post.
- Hide the counter on one photo that you mainly share with yourself and friends.
- Choose one specific time in advance to check reactions instead of opening your post repeatedly.
- After a few days, ask yourself whether you are thinking less about the number of likes. Leave the counter hidden or turn it back on.
Looking for tips on what you can post instead? Read more about more likes on Instagram. That is about attention for your post, not about hiding the counter. If you are also considering paid options, our Instagram services lets you compare packages for likes and followers, including the available quantities and prices.
