
Want to reduce pressure on Instagram? You can now hide like counts on your posts and in your feed. This feature, introduced in 2025, helps shift focus from numbers to meaningful interactions. Here’s how:
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Hide likes on your posts:
- Before posting: Toggle Hide like count in Advanced Settings.
- After posting: Tap the post's menu (⋯) and select Hide Like Count.
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Hide likes in your feed:
- Go to Settings → What you see → Like and share counts and toggle it on.
This helps reduce comparisons, improve mental well-being, and lets you focus on genuine connections. You can turn these settings on or off anytime.
How To Hide Likes Counts On All Instagram Posts (2025 ...
Why Hiding Instagram Likes Matters
Instagram's decision to let users hide likes aims to move the spotlight away from numbers and toward meaningful connections.
Impact on Mental Health
Seeing like counts can fuel unhealthy social comparisons. This is especially true for teens, who may feel worse when they imagine their posts receiving fewer likes - particularly those who are more sensitive to feedback.
Encouraging Better Content
Without the pressure of public like counts, users can focus on creating engaging and authentic content. This shift promotes storytelling, thoughtful comments, and creative experimentation instead of chasing likes.
Part of Instagram's Safety Features
Hiding likes is just one of Instagram's tools to support user well-being. Other features, like comment filters and activity time reminders, work together to ease pressure and create a healthier online space.
Up next: How to use these settings for your posts and feed.
Hiding Likes on Your Posts
Instagram lets you decide whether others can see the like counts on your posts. This feature is designed to help shift the focus from numbers to meaningful connections.
Hide Likes Before Posting
- Begin creating a post.
- Tap Advanced Settings.
- Toggle the Hide like count option.
Hide Likes on Published Posts
- Open the post on your profile.
- Tap the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner.
- Choose Hide Like Count. The change takes effect immediately and can be undone anytime.
What Others See
When like counts are hidden, others will see "Liked by [username] and others." You can turn this visibility on or off whenever you like.
Up next: Learn how to hide likes in your feed for an even more relaxed Instagram experience.
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Hiding Likes in Your Feed
Here's how to hide like counts across your feed:
- Go to instagram.com.
- Click your profile icon, then select More (bottom left).
- Choose Settings.
- Under What you see, click Like and share counts.
- Switch on Hide like & share counts (this also applies to linked Threads content).
Once this is enabled, you won’t see the number of likes, reshares, or quotes on posts. However, interactions like likes, comments, and shares will still function as usual. For posts you share, you can manage visibility using the per-post settings described earlier.
This toggle applies to all content in your feed, but individual post controls allow you to tailor the visibility of your own posts. You can revisit and update these settings anytime in Instagram’s Settings menu.
Up next: Adjust like-count settings for specific posts and business profiles.
Like Count Settings Guide
Check out the earlier sections for per-post and feed-level controls. Here's how to find the global settings for like counts.
Finding Like Settings
Instagram makes it easy to adjust like-count settings on both desktop and mobile platforms:
Desktop:
- Log in at instagram.com
- Click your Profile icon
- Go to More → Settings
- Select What you see → Like and share counts
- Use the toggle to hide or show like and share counts
Mobile:
- Tap your Profile icon (bottom right)
- Open the Menu (≡) and go to Settings
- Navigate to Privacy → Posts
- Toggle Hide Like and View Counts
These options let you control the visibility of like counts across your entire Instagram account. You can update them anytime to suit your preferences.
Conclusion
Hiding like counts shifts the focus from numbers to genuine connections, encouraging more meaningful interactions. Research suggests that seeing fewer likes can reduce negative feelings, making this feature helpful for mental health. By using the per-post and global toggles, you can create a space that prioritizes quality content over chasing numbers.
Combine these settings with UpGrow's AI-powered targeting to attract followers who are truly engaged. This approach has helped over 100,000 Instagram users grow their audience significantly since 2016. Choose the like-count view that aligns with your goals, set your preferences, and concentrate on fostering real engagement.
FAQs
How does hiding like counts on Instagram benefit my mental health?
Hiding like counts on Instagram can help improve your mental health by reducing the pressure to seek validation through likes. When you no longer see like counts, you're less likely to compare your posts to others, which can lower feelings of inadequacy or anxiety.
This feature encourages a focus on sharing content that feels authentic to you, rather than worrying about its popularity. By removing this aspect of social comparison, you may feel more relaxed and confident while using the platform.
Does hiding like counts on Instagram affect how many people see or engage with my posts?
No, hiding like counts on Instagram does not impact the visibility or engagement of your posts. This feature only changes how likes are displayed - it doesn’t alter how your content is shown to others or how people interact with it.
You can choose to hide like and view counts either before posting or for posts you’ve already shared. This setting is entirely optional and designed to help you focus more on your content and less on metrics.
Can I choose who sees like counts on my Instagram posts?
No, Instagram does not allow you to control like count visibility for specific followers or friends. The settings for hiding like counts apply universally to all your followers or the posts you view in your feed. This feature is designed to simplify your experience and promote a focus on content rather than engagement metrics.
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