How to Hide Likes on Instagram Post and Reels in Simple Steps

Last Updated on November 7, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

Instagram is fun, but seeing like counts all the time can feel stressful. Maybe you don’t want to compare your posts with others, or you just want to enjoy the app without thinking about numbers. The good thing is—Instagram now lets you hide likes whenever you want.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to hide likes on Instagram in very simple steps. You’ll learn how to hide likes on your own posts, on other people’s posts, and how to turn them back on anytime.

What Does It Mean to Hide Likes on Instagram?

Hiding likes on Instagram means that the number of likes on a post won’t show up anymore. People can still like your post, but they won’t see the total count. Only you can see who liked it by opening the list.

You can also choose to hide like counts on other people’s posts in your feed. This means you’ll scroll without seeing any numbers, which can make Instagram feel calmer and less stressful.

It’s a small change, but it can help you focus more on the content and less on the likes.

How to Hide Likes on Your Instagram Posts

Instagram lets you hide likes on both old posts and new posts. The steps are easy, and you can do it anytime.

Hide Likes on Existing Posts

• Open Instagram and go to your profile.
• Tap the post where you want to hide the likes.
• Click the three dots in the top-right corner.

• Select Hide like count to others.

That’s it! The like number will disappear from that post.

Hide Likes on New Posts Before Sharing

• Create a new post as you normally do.

• On the final screen, tap Advanced settings or More Options.

• Turn on Hide like counts on this post.
• Publish your post.

Now your post will go live without showing any likes.

Note: If you’re running a business, you might also like our guide on Instagram SEO to help your posts reach more people.

How to Hide Likes from Other People’s Posts

If you don’t want to see like counts on posts in your feed, Instagram lets you hide them all with one setting. This can make scrolling feel lighter and less distracting.

Steps to Hide Likes on Others’ Posts

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
2. Tap the three lines (menu) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings and privacy.
4. Scroll down and tap Like and share counts (Instagram sometimes changes the name slightly).
5. Turn on Hide like counts.

Now, when you scroll, you won’t see the number of likes on anyone’s posts. You’ll just see “Liked by ____ and others.”

Can You Still See Who Liked Your Post?

Yes, you can. Even if you hide the like count, you can still check who liked your post.

The only thing that disappears is the number. The list of people who liked your post is still there. Just tap “others” under your post, and you’ll be able to see everyone who liked it.

Other people can also open the list, but they won’t see the total number of likes.

How to Unhide Likes on Instagram

If you ever change your mind, you can show like counts again just as easily.

Unhide Likes on a Post

1. Open the post.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Select Unhide like count.

The like number will appear again on that post.

Unhide Likes Across Your Feed

1. Go to your profile.
2. Tap the three lines (menu).
3. Select Settings and privacy.
4. Tap Like and view counts.
5. Turn Hide like counts off.

Now, you’ll see like numbers on all posts in your feed again.

Why People Choose to Hide Likes on Instagram

Everyone uses Instagram differently, and for many people, hiding likes makes the app feel better. Here are a few common reasons:

• Less pressure: You don’t worry about how many likes your posts get.
• Less comparison: You stop comparing your posts to others.
• Better focus: You pay more attention to the photo or video, not the numbers.
• More confidence: You may feel more comfortable posting what you like.

Hiding likes doesn’t change how Instagram works—it just gives you a calmer, healthier experience.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to hide likes on Instagram is quick and easy, and you can turn the feature on or off whenever you want. Whether you want less pressure, fewer comparisons, or a cleaner feed, hiding likes can make your Instagram experience feel more relaxed. The best part is that you stay in control—use the feature in a way that works best for you.

Tip:
If you want to grow your Instagram without feeling overwhelmed, take a look at our guide on the best time to post on Instagram. It can help you get better reach with less effort.

FAQs: How to Hide Likes on Instagram

1. How to hide your likes on Instagram?

You can hide likes by opening a post, tapping the three dots, and choosing Hide like count. You can also hide likes across your whole feed in Settings and privacy → Like and view counts.

2. How do I hide my likes on Instagram?

Go to any post, tap the three dots, and select Hide like count. This removes the number of likes from that post for everyone.

3. Is it possible to hide likes permanently?

Yes. If you turn on Hide like counts in your Instagram settings, the change stays on until you switch it off. You can keep it hidden as long as you want.

4. Can I hide my activity on Instagram?

You can hide your Activity Status so people can’t see when you’re online. Go to Settings and privacy → Messages and story replies → Show activity status, and turn it off.

5. Can everyone see the number of likes on Instagram?

If you don’t hide the like count, yes—everyone can see the number of likes on your post. But if you hide it, people will only see “Liked by ____ and others,” not the total number.

6. How to hide who likes your post on Instagram?

You can’t fully hide the list of people who liked your post. You can only hide the number of likes. The list of users who liked it is still visible.