How to Turn Off Likes on Instagram Step by Step
Learn how to hide Instagram like counts on your posts and feed with step-by-step instructions, plus the pros, cons, and effects on engagement.
Introduction to Instagram Like Count Feature
Instagram’s like count feature has long been one of the platform’s most visible measures of engagement. When a post receives likes, the number appears publicly under the image or video, signaling its popularity to both the creator and viewers.
In recent years, concerns around mental health, social pressure, and authentic engagement have led to a major update — the ability to hide like counts. Many users wonder: Can you turn off likes on Instagram? The answer is yes. This setting lets you control whether your followers see like totals on your posts and whether you see them on others’ posts. By choosing to hide like counts, you can reduce social comparison, keep metrics private, and focus more on sharing meaningful content.
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How Instagram’s “Hide Like Counts” Option Works
The Hide Like Counts feature, part of Instagram’s privacy and wellness tools, allows you to:
- Hide the like totals on your posts, so other users cannot see the count.
- Hide like counts on other people’s posts in your feed, removing the metric from view.
Even with counts hidden publicly, you can still access your own numbers privately for tracking and insights.
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Step-by-Step Guide: Turning Off Like Counts for Your Own Posts
Hiding likes on your content can be done in the Instagram mobile app (both iOS and Android) within seconds.
For New Posts (Before Publishing)
- Open the Instagram app and tap the + icon to create a new post.
- Choose your photo or video and proceed to the caption screen.
- Tap Advanced Settings at the bottom.
- Toggle Hide Like and View Counts on This Post to on.
- Return and tap Share to publish without a visible count.
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For Existing Posts (After Publishing)
To hide likes on a published post:
- Go to your profile and select the post.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Choose Hide Like Count.
You can revert this choice anytime by selecting Unhide Like Count.
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Hiding Like Counts for Other Accounts’ Posts
If like counts distract you when browsing:
- Tap your profile picture to open your profile.
- Tap the three-line menu in the top-right.
- Choose Settings and privacy.
- Under What you see, tap Hide likes.
- Toggle Hide Like and View Counts on.
This will remove the counts feed-wide until you disable it again.
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Differences Between Personal, Creator, and Business Accounts
This feature works across personal, creator, and business accounts, but each type may use it differently.
| Account Type | Feature Availability | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | Full like-hide controls | Reduce social pressure from friends and peers |
| Creator | Full like-hide controls | Encourage focus on creative work over raw stats |
| Business | Full like-hide controls; metrics remain in Insights | Protect brand image while tracking engagement privately |
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Pros and Cons of Hiding Likes
Like any platform feature, hidden likes come with upsides and trade-offs.
Pros
- Improved Mental Health — Less anxiety and comparison.
- Content-First Posting — Freer expression without popularity pressure.
- Privacy — Keeps engagement data away from competitors.
Cons
- Lower Social Proof — Public popularity metrics vanish.
- Brand Partnership Impact — Some partners may prefer visible proof of reach.
- Curiosity — Followers may question hidden counts.
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How It Affects the Instagram Algorithm
A frequent myth is that hiding likes reduces reach. In fact:
- Likes are still recorded internally.
- The algorithm still prioritizes posts with good engagement, including comments, saves, and shares.
- Engagement patterns may shift from likes to comments or DMs.
Your visibility should remain steady while you control what’s displayed publicly.
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Troubleshooting: Missing the Hide Likes Option
If you can’t find the setting:
- Update the App from Google Play or the App Store.
- Check Region Availability — The rollout was phased but is now global, though outdated apps may still lack it.
- Sign Out/In or reinstall if needed.
If it’s still not visible, contact Instagram support for assistance.
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Best Practices: When to Hide Likes
Consider these factors when deciding:
- Mental Well-being — Hide likes if counts affect mood.
- Strategic Branding — Show high counts when engagement is strong.
- Test Periods — Experiment with hidden likes for a set time.
- Audience Habits — Engage followers in comments or shares.
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Conclusion: Using Instagram Settings for a Better Experience
The answer to can you turn off likes on Instagram is a definitive yes. The hide like counts setting puts you in control of your visibility and engagement display. By applying it to new or existing posts — and even across your feed — you can shape a healthier, more focused social media environment.
Whether you’re an everyday user aiming for less pressure, a creator prioritizing art over numbers, or a brand safeguarding perception, the choice is yours. And since the setting is reversible, you can adjust anytime.
Pro Tip: Pair hidden likes with features like time limits and notification controls for a more mindful Instagram routine.
Ready to take control of your Instagram experience? Try hiding your like counts today and see how it changes the way you post and scroll.
