Instagram is a fun and useful way to share your life with your friends and followers, but it becomes a lot less enjoyable when you start worrying about how many likes your posts get. That pressure is exactly why so many people look up how to turn off likes on Instagram, especially when constant comparison makes the app feel more stressful than social.
Many users also look for ways to improve their engagement naturally, which is why some choose to _boost Instagram views quickly_ to help their posts reach a wider audience.
When we focus too much on like counts, it is easy to feel inadequate compared to others. It can make you second guess your feed, question your confidence, and even push you toward creating an account that does not feel authentic to who you are or what you love.
Instagram knows this too, which is why they added a feature that lets you hide the like count on your posts and even the posts of others. If that sounds like something that could help you enjoy the app again, then keep reading to learn exactly how it works.
Why Do People Hide Their Likes On Instagram?
A lot of people started hiding likes on Instagram once they realized how easy it is to fall into the habit of comparing numbers. You scroll through your feed, see someone with thousands of hearts, and suddenly your own post with a small handful feels like it missed the mark.
If you want to strengthen your presence before hiding likes, you can also _increase Instagram followers_ to build a more engaged and authentic community around your profile.
That feeling builds up over time, which is why Instagram introduced the hide likes feature in the first place. It gives users a little more breathing room, especially if you just want to post without worrying about why do people hide likes on Instagram in the first place. The feature really shifted the culture around posting.
For content creators, how to hide like count on Instagram has become a popular topic because removing public like counts helps shift the attention back to the content itself. Without that pressure, people try new styles, share personal moments, and feel more free to experiment.
Mental Health & Social Media Pressures
The purpose of Instagram for most people is to share your life in pictures. However, at some point in our lives, most of us will fall into the trap of caring about views and likes more than posting authentic content - whether your authentic content is selfies, club pictures, food pictures, news, your opinions, your emotions, or memes - anything that makes you feel good.
When you care more about the likes your posts get than just posting whatever you want, you begin to feel the pressures of social media and this can cause a decline in your mental health.
So, to reduce social media pressures and improve your mental health, it may be a good idea to begin hiding likes on Instagram.
Cleaner profile aesthetic
Some users hide likes simply because it makes their profile look neater. When the like count is gone, your posts look a bit cleaner and more focused on the visuals. It is the same idea as turning off clutter in any design.
A profile with hidden likes often feels more curated, which is why influencers and brands use this setting when they want to keep the spotlight on the photos, the Reels, or the message behind the content. With aesthetics playing such a big role on Instagram, hiding likes fits naturally into that mindset. For creators who want both a clean aesthetic and stronger engagement, many also try to _get more likes on Instagram_ to help their content stand out before choosing to hide public like counts.
Read more: This Is How The Instagram Algorithm Works In 2025
How To Turn Off Likes On Instagram
Turning off likes on Instagram is simple and can be done whether you’re posting something new or editing an older post. Instagram gives you full control over whether the public can see your like counts, and you can adjust this anytime.
Before Posting
If you want to hide likes before your post goes live, you can do it right on the upload screen.
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Start creating a post by tapping the plus (+) button.
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Add your photo or video and tap Next.
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Choose your filter or edits, then tap Next again.
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Scroll to the bottom and tap Advanced settings.
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Turn on Hide like count on this post.
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Go back and publish your post as usual.
Your post will go live without showing the public like count. You will still see who liked it, but others won’t see the total number.
Read more: What Is The Best Time To Post On Instagram?
On An Existing Post
If your post is already published, you can still hide the like count at any time.
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Go to the post you want to edit.
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Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
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Select Hide like count.
The like number disappears instantly. You can also reverse this whenever you want by tapping Unhide like count.
How To Turn Off Likes On Others' Instagram Accounts
Sometimes, it is not enough to hide our own likes. It can be better for us and our mental health if everyone on your feed had hidden likes too. While you cannot and should not be able to tell others what to do with their own Instagram page, you can actually hide everyone else's likes in your own feed - without it affecting them!
This is a great option to consider because you will be able to focus on posts and people that matter to you, rather than just concentrating on popular posts (or, strike a balance between both!)
Here's how you can hide the like counts of other Instagram accounts:
- Click on your own Instagram profile
- In the upper-right corner, you will find the menu. Click it and click 'Settings'
- Tap the 'Privacy' button
- Once you have done this, hit the 'Posts' button
- There should be an option to toggle on a button beside 'Hide Likes and View Counts'. Tap it.
And there you have it! The next time you're scrolling through Instagram, you won't be able to see anyone else's like count. Enjoy scrolling through your feed without likes!
Read more: How To Make A Reel On Instagram
What Happens When You Turn Off Likes on Instagram?
If you have never used the feature before, hiding likes can feel a little strange at first. You tap into your post and suddenly the like number is gone. It is normal to wonder what changes behind the scenes.
Thankfully, nothing dramatic happens. The main difference is simply what becomes visible to others. You still get engagement, and the app still tracks all the likes. Instagram just keeps that information private.
If you decide to hide like counts but still want to grow your reach, it’s worth reading How to Get More Likes on Instagram for strategies that can boost engagement.
Can people still like your post?
Yes, completely. Turning off the like count does not stop people from tapping the heart button. It only hides the total number from the public. You will still receive likes, and Instagram will still show you the list of people who liked your post.
The engagement is fully active, it just is not displayed for everyone to see. So if your friends want to support you with a quick double tap, they definitely can.
Does turning off likes affect the algorithm?
A lot of users think hiding like counts might lower their reach, but it does not work like that at all. The Instagram algorithm still measures the same signals: likes, watch time, comments, shares, saves, and overall engagement patterns.
Whether the number is visible or not does not change how Instagram pushes your content. If anything, hiding likes makes some creators feel free to post more often, which can actually help their visibility over time. The algorithm cares about engagement, not whether it shows the numbers publicly.
Do likes still appear in notifications?
Yes. Even with hidden likes, your notifications stay exactly the same. You will still see when someone interacts with your post. The only thing that changes is the public like count.
Your private dashboard, analytics, and notifications continue working normally. This is great for anyone who wants to monitor their engagement without having the like count sitting on display.
Can I Turn Likes Off On Instagram Via The PC?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to turn off Instagram likes on the PC. This is because Instagram aims to promote the app, and so many features that you are able to do on the app are disabled on the PC. Sadly, this includes the option to hide your likes.
Should You Hide Instagram Likes?
Deciding whether or not to hide your Instagram likes is a personal choice. If hiding likes helps lower social media pressures and improves your mental well-being, it might be a great option for you.
On the other hand, if you’re aspiring to work with brands or gauge engagement accurately, visible likes can serve as a useful metric.
For those focused on growing a robust and authentic presence, many influencers choose to enhance their profiles with real Instagram followers. This approach not only builds a genuine community but also supports organic growth. Likewise, if tracking engagement is crucial for your collaborations, relying on organically sourced metrics, sometimes complemented by services that offer real Instagram likes, can be a smart move.
If you’re just starting out or want to boost visibility without spending money, you can even get free Instagram likes to give your content an early engagement push.
Read more: How To Add Special Fonts To Your Instagram Bio
How To Unhide Instagram Likes
It is good to note that hiding your like count is not a permanent thing, and you can always change it back if you want to. If you want to unhide your Instagram likes, then you just need to follow these simple steps:
Other Instagram Accounts
- Go to your Privacy settings
- Turn the 'Hide Likes and View Counts' button off
Your Instagram Posts
- Go to the specific Instagram post
- Click the three dots and then press 'Unhide Like Count'
Troubleshooting: Can’t Hide Likes on Instagram?
Sometimes the hide likes option does not appear, or it acts a bit glitchy. You tap the settings, and the feature simply will not show up.
This happens more often than you might think, and most of the causes are easy to fix. Here are the most common reasons the hide like feature might not be working.
Fix 1: App updates
Instagram updates often, and some features only work properly on the latest version. If you cannot find the hide likes setting, check the App Store or Google Play. A quick update usually fixes it. Outdated versions of Instagram sometimes hide newer features by mistake.
Fix 2: Region limitations
Instagram rolls out features in waves depending on the region. If your account is new or you live somewhere where the rollout is slow, the hide likes feature may take longer to appear. It usually shows up eventually, but switching to a professional account sometimes makes new features arrive faster.
Fix 3: Feature rollout delays
Every now and then, Instagram experiments by testing or pausing features. It might temporarily disappear during a backend update. If you were able to hide likes before but the option vanished, this is most likely the reason. Waiting a bit or updating your app again typically solves the issue.
Fix 4: App cache issues
Sometimes the app simply needs a refresh. Clearing your Instagram cache, logging out, or reinstalling the app helps reset the settings. After a restart, the hide likes button usually reappears.
Fix 5: Account type glitches
If you switch between personal and business profiles a lot, Instagram can get glitchy. A simple toggle to a different account type and then switching back usually gets everything working again.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, whether you hide your likes or display them is up to you. Some people choose to hide their like counts to safeguard their mental health and avoid the pressure of social validation. Others keep them visible as a way to monitor engagement, build a community, or attract brand collaborations.
If you’re looking to further boost your reach, especially with video content, consider strategies like buying Instagram views. This can help increase your content’s visibility and overall engagement. In any case, Instagram offers the flexibility to tailor your experience so that you can focus on what truly makes your social media experience enjoyable.
Hiding your likes (or not) is just one step towards reclaiming your authentic online presence. Enjoy the platform on your own terms and keep having fun on social media!
You can read additional Instagram articles here.
FAQs
Why do people hide likes on Instagram?
People hide likes for all kinds of reasons. Some want to avoid comparing their posts with others, while others prefer a cleaner profile layout. Many users simply feel less pressure once public like counts are removed, which is a big part of why do people hide likes on Instagram.
Can you turn off likes on Instagram?
Yes, you can. The feature works on most accounts, although it may appear at different times depending on your region. Anyone wondering can you turn off likes on Instagram will be glad to know the option is available for both old and new posts.
How to hide like count on Instagram?
You can hide like counts by opening a post, tapping the three dots, and selecting “Hide like count.” You can also turn off likes for future posts from your settings. Many users search how to hide like count on Instagram when they want to keep engagement private.
Does hiding likes affect the Instagram algorithm?
No. Hiding likes does not change how Instagram recommends or ranks your content. The algorithm still tracks likes, comments, saves, shares, and watch time normally.
Can people still like my posts when likes are hidden?
Yes. Hiding likes only removes the public number. People can still tap the heart, and you still see every like in your notifications.
Can I hide likes after posting?
Yes. Instagram lets you hide or show like counts both before and after you publish a post.
Do like notifications still appear if I hide likes?
They do. You still receive every like notification privately, exactly the same as before.
Why can’t I see the option to hide likes?
This usually happens because your app needs updating, the feature has not rolled out to your region yet, or your account is experiencing a small glitch. Updating or reinstalling the app often fixes it.
Can you hide likes on Instagram Reels?
Yes. Hiding like counts works on Reels the same way it does on regular posts.
Does hiding likes make my profile look more aesthetic?
For many people, yes. Removing numbers creates a cleaner, more minimal look that keeps the attention on your visuals.
Can I show like counts again later?
Yes. You can turn like counts on or off anytime, whether it's for one post or all your posts.
