How to Hide Instagram Likes: Step-by-Step Settings for iOS and Android

How to Hide Instagram Likes: Step-by-Step Settings for iOS and Android

If you’ve ever felt distracted by the numbers under your posts—or you just want your audience to focus on the content, not the count—Instagram’s like/view count controls can help. Below, you’ll learn exactly how to hide Instagram likes for new and existing posts, how to turn off counts across your feed, what changes (and what doesn’t), plus tips for creators and brands. The steps work on both iOS and Android and include quick, copy-paste navigation paths.

Why hide Instagram likes?

Hiding like counts can make your time on Instagram healthier and your strategy sharper.

• Reduce comparison pressure: Hide public numbers to lower “scoreboard” anxiety.
• Refocus on content quality: Encourage attention to visuals, captions, and storytelling—not the like tally.
• Choose what changes: Hiding is mostly about public display; your private metrics and Insights remain available to you.

What changes when you hide counts

Note: Availability of view count hiding can vary by post type (photos, videos, Reels) and region/app version.

Hide like counts on a new post (before publishing)

Works the same on iOS and Android:

1. Create your post (photo, carousel, or video) and proceed to the final Share screen.
2. Tap Advanced settings (usually at the bottom).
3. Toggle “Hide like and view counts on this post.”
4. Go back and tap Share to publish.

Tip: If you don’t see Advanced settings, update the app and try again.

Hide like counts on an existing post

1. Open your post.
2. Tap the three dots (…) at the top right of the post.
3. Choose “Hide like count.” If you also see “Hide view count,” tap it as needed.
4. To reverse later, repeat the steps and tap “Unhide like count” (and “Unhide view count,” if available).

This takes effect immediately on your post for all viewers.

Hide like counts on other people’s posts in your feed

This is a viewer-side preference, affecting only what you see—not what others see.

1. Go to your Profile.
2. Tap the Menu (≡) > Settings and privacy.
3. Tap Privacy > Posts.
4. Toggle “Hide like and view counts.”

You can turn this on or off anytime; it won’t change how others experience Instagram.

Set a default for your own future posts (if available)

Some accounts see a global default to hide counts on their posts.

1. Profile > Menu (≡) > Settings and privacy.
2. Privacy > Posts.
3. Look for a toggle like “Hide like and view counts on your posts” or a similar default option.
4. Turn it on to hide for all future posts by default.

Don’t see it? Availability varies by account and app version. Use per-post Advanced settings instead.

Turn like counts back on

• For your feed view: Profile > Menu (≡) > Settings and privacy > Privacy > Posts > toggle “Hide like and view counts” off.
• For a specific post: Open the post > (…) > “Unhide like count” (and “Unhide view count,” if shown).

Changes are applied instantly.

Quick paths (copy-paste friendly)

Use these as a reference when navigating:

New post (iOS/Android):
Create post → Final Share screen → Advanced settings → Hide like and view counts on this post

Existing post:
Open post → (…) → Hide like count [and Hide view count]

Feed-wide (viewer preference):
Profile → Menu → Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts → Hide like and view counts

Default for future posts (if available):
Profile → Menu → Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts → [Default hide toggle]

What remains visible and what doesn’t

• Still visible:
• The list of users who liked a post (no public number if hidden).
• Your private like totals inside the app; on professional accounts, Insights remain fully accessible.
• Comments, saves, and shares still function and are counted.
• Hidden:
• Public like number on posts where you’ve toggled it off.
• Public view count on some video posts when you’ve toggled it off (varies by format/region).

Format notes

• Reels: Options differ by region/app version. Some accounts can hide like counts on Reels; hiding view counts on Reels may not be available. Check each post’s (…) menu.
• Feed videos/photos: Typically support both “Hide like count” and, where applicable, “Hide view count.”

Impact and strategy for creators/brands

When hiding counts can help

• Testing new formats without social proof bias.
• Reducing pressure during early testing phases or launches.
• Encouraging meaningful engagement (comments, saves) over vanity metrics.

How to A/B test with like hiding

• Create two similar posts (same topic/creative quality).
• Post at comparable times/days across two weeks.
• Hide counts on one post, show counts on the other.
• Keep captions, hashtags, and distribution similar.
• Compare downstream metrics after 48–72 hours.

Which metrics to watch instead

• Reach and accounts engaged.
• Saves (strong interest/intent signal).
• Comments and meaningful replies.
• Shares (sends, story shares).
• Profile visits and follows.
• For video/Reels: watch time, average view duration, completion rate.

Strategy tips

• Use hidden counts when piloting experimental creative.
• Turn counts on for social proof when running promotions or UGC highlights.
• Communicate the “why” to your audience if changing approach (“We’re focusing on conversation over counts”).

Troubleshooting and FAQs

• I don’t see the option to hide counts.
• Update Instagram to the latest version.
• Log out/in, or force close and relaunch the app.
• On Android, clear app cache (Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear cache).
• Feature availability can roll out by region and account type.
• Does hiding like counts affect the algorithm or my reach?
• No. Hiding counts changes display, not distribution. Instagram ranks content using many signals; the hide toggle itself doesn’t reduce reach.
• Can business or creator accounts hide likes?
• Yes. Personal, creator, and business accounts can use these controls. Professional accounts still retain Insights even when counts are hidden publicly.
• Are comments, saves, and shares affected?
• No. Engagement features continue to work and be measured.
• What about Reels and video view counts?
• Options can differ by format and region. Some videos let you hide view counts; Reels may not. Always check the (…) menu on each post for available toggles.
• Can people still see who liked a post?
• Yes, they can open the liker list. The public total number is hidden when enabled, but the list of accounts is visible.
• How do I unhide counts for just one post?
• Open the post > (…) > “Unhide like count” (and “Unhide view count,” if shown).

At-a-glance settings summary

Summary

By using these settings intentionally, you can create a calmer viewing experience, focus your team on meaningful outcomes, and run clearer tests—without losing access to the metrics that matter behind the scenes. Toggle counts per post or across your feed as needed, and lean on private Insights to guide creative and strategy decisions.