How to Hide Likes on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, offering us a window into the world and a platform for self-expression.
However, beneath the glossy filters and carefully curated feeds lies a concerning reality. According to a global survey conducted in 2021, 36% of respondents from Generation Z and 30% of Millennials expressed that social media usage had a detrimental effect on their social well-being.
These statistics serve as an important reminder of the challenges faced in navigating the ever-changing landscape of social media, particularly Instagram.
The good news is Instagram has acknowledged the need to address these concerns. It has introduced a powerful feature that allows you to regain control over your Instagram experience: hiding likes. By enabling this feature, you can reshape your online environment, fostering a healthier relationship with social media and diminishing the pressure associated with validation through likes.
Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to hiding likes on Instagram!
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How to hide likes on Instagram
Instagram lets you hide likes on posts in multiple ways — you can hide likes on your own Instagram posts before or after publishing, and you can hide likes on others’ Instagram posts. Let’s review each way in detail.
How to hide likes on your Instagram posts before publishing
To hide likes on your Instagram posts before publishing, follow the steps below:
1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and log into your account.
2. Tap on the “+” button at the bottom center of the screen to create a new post.
3. Select the photo or video you want to post from your device’s gallery or take a new one using the in-app camera.
4. Edit the post as you’d like by applying filters, adding captions, and tagging relevant users.
5. Before proceeding to the final step, tap on “Advanced Settings” located at the bottom of the screen.
6. In the “Advanced Settings” menu, you’ll find an option called “Hide Like and View Counts.” Toggle the switch to enable this feature.
7. Once you’ve enabled the “Hide Like and View Counts” feature, tap on the back arrow to return to the main post editing screen.
8. Finally, tap on “Share” to publish your post. The likes on this post will now be hidden from other Instagram users.
How to hide likes on your Instagram posts after you publish
If you want to hide likes on a published Instagram post, here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Instagram app and navigate to the post on which you want to hide the likes.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon located at the top right corner of the post.
3. In the menu that appears, select “Hide Like Count.” This action will immediately hide the likes on this specific post.
If you change your mind and want to unhide the likes, simply repeat the process and select “Unhide Like Count.”
How to hide likes on others’ Instagram posts
If you don’t want to avoid seeing like counts on other people’s Instagram posts, you can easily do so through your account settings. This can help you reduce the temptation to compare your own account or competitor accounts solely based on like counts. By hiding likes, you can focus on engaging with the content itself and cultivating a more genuine experience on the platform.
Here’s how to hide likes on others’ Instagram posts:
1. Open the Instagram app and tap the hamburger menu located at the top of your profile page to access the main menu.
2. From the main menu, scroll down and tap on “Settings.”
3. In the Settings menu, look for and tap on “Privacy.”
4. Within the Privacy menu, locate and tap on “Posts.”
5. You’ll find an option called “Hide Likes and View Counts.” Toggle the switch to enable this feature.
Once you’ve enabled the “Hide Likes and View Counts” feature, you won’t see how many people have liked the post from other accounts. Instead of showing the specific number of likes, you’ll see a generic message like “Liked by username and others.”
Why would you want to turn off likes on Instagram?
While likes have traditionally served as a measure of popularity and validation, some users choose to disable this feature for various reasons. Let’s explore the five key reasons you might want to turn off likes on Instagram.
1. To remove social bias
Likes on Instagram can sometimes create a sense of social bias, where users are judged and compared based on the number of likes they receive. By turning off likes, you can level the playing field and shift the focus away from popularity contests. Rather than valuing content by its number of likes, this approach makes users appreciate it for its intrinsic value.
2. To decrease the need for social validation
Instagram’s like system can foster a constant need for external validation. Turning off likes can help individuals break free from the cycle of seeking validation through numbers. By shifting the focus inward and valuing self-approval, you can build a healthier relationship with social media and develop a stronger sense of self-worth.
3. To promote authentic engagement
When likes are turned off, users are encouraged to engage with your content in a more genuine and meaningful way. Without the pressure of likes, individuals can focus on leaving thoughtful comments, sharing personal experiences, or expressing genuine appreciation for the content itself. This active participation fosters authentic connections and cultivates a supportive online community where users can connect on a deeper level.
4. To focus on content quality
The pursuit of maximizing likes can often overshadow the true quality and creativity of your content. By turning off likes, you free yourself from the pressure of conforming to popular trends or seeking validation through numbers. And this freedom allows you to prioritize the creation of high-quality and meaningful content, showcasing your creative abilities and expressing your passions authentically.
5. To protect mental health
Likes can significantly impact your mental health, leading to feelings of anxiety, self-comparison, and inadequacy. By turning off likes, you take a proactive measure to protect your mental well-being. You regain control over your social media experience and reduce the negative impact of external validation on your self-esteem and overall mental health. This empowers you to prioritize your own happiness and establish a healthier relationship with social media.
How do you see your likes on Instagram, even if they’re hidden?
If you’ve hidden likes on a particular post, it means that the number of likes isn’t visible to other users. However, as the owner of the account, you can still see the total number of likes your post has received. Here’s how you can view your own likes on Instagram, even if they’re hidden from others:
1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and log in to your account.
2. Go to the post for which you want to see the likes.
3. Below the post, you’ll find that the number of likes is hidden. Tap on the “Liked by” section.
4. A pop-up window will appear, displaying the usernames of the accounts that have liked your post. If you have a business or creator account, you’ll see the total number of likes at the top of the list of usernames.
Note that you may not be able to see the total number of likes you received after hiding it if you have a personal account.
Regardless of your account type, you can see your total likes count as well as the overall engagement metrics of your Instagram account using Loomly Analytics.
Will hiding your likes on Instagram affect the performance of your posts?
Hiding likes on Instagram does not directly affect the performance of your posts in terms of visibility or reach. This means that the algorithmic rankings and engagement metrics of your posts will remain unchanged.
When you hide the likes counter, it simply disappears from its original position at the bottom of the post. Despite the hidden likes counter, users can still interact with your post by clicking the heart emoticon. And the invisible counter continues to track the number of likes your post receives. Therefore, the algorithm still has the data to assess the engagement of your content.
Why can’t I hide likes on Instagram?
Here are four potential reasons why you might not be able to hide likes on Instagram:
1. Your app is not updated
In order to access the latest features and settings on Instagram, it’s essential to keep your app updated to the latest version. The option to hide likes may be introduced in newer app updates.
So if you don’t have the option to hide likes, make sure to check for updates in your device’s app store and install the latest version of Instagram.
2. You are using a business account
Instagram offers different features and settings for personal and business accounts. At times, certain features, including the ability to hide likes, may be limited to personal accounts. If you’re using a business account, you may not have the option to hide likes.
Consider switching to a personal account if hiding likes is a priority for you.
3. You are not located in a supported region
The availability of features on Instagram can vary depending on your geographical location. The option to hide likes may be limited to specific regions or gradually rolled out to different countries. If you’re not located in a supported region, you may not have access to the hide likes feature. Keep an eye on your account settings to see if the option becomes available.
4. You have previously hidden likes
If you have hidden likes on Instagram in the past and reverted back to showing them again, the option to hide likes may not be available immediately. Instagram may impose restrictions or waiting periods before allowing you to hide or unhide likes again. Check your account settings periodically to see if the option becomes available again.
Is hiding Instagram likes right for you?
The introduction of the option to hide Instagram likes has sparked a significant conversation about the impact of social media on our well-being. By allowing you to personalize your experience and alleviating the pressure associated with likes, Instagram aims to create a more positive environment.
When you hide likes on your Instagram posts, you not only remove the stress of worrying about the number of likes you receive. You also contribute to building a community where users are free of social bias.
Ultimately, hiding Instagram likes comes with a lot of benefits, and it doesn’t damage your engagement metrics.
FAQs about hiding likes on Instagram
How to hide likes and views on Instagram reels?
Instagram doesn’t provide an option to hide likes and views on Instagram reels.
Can I hide like counts on Instagram from a computer?
Yes, you can hide like counts on Instagram from a computer. The process is similar to hiding likes on the mobile app. Simply log in to your Instagram account on a computer, access your profile settings, navigate to the Privacy menu, and toggle on the option to hide like counts.
Can people like my Instagram posts if I hide the like counts?
Yes, people can still like your Instagram posts if you hide the like counts. Hiding the likes count on your Instagram post doesn’t prevent others from liking it. They just won’t see the number of likes your post received.
Can you hide the likes and views of multiple posts at once?
No, you can’t hide the likes and views of multiple posts at once. You have to individually enable the option to hide likes for each post.
