Likes can feel like a scorecard. The more you get, the better you think your content is. But that’s not always true. Sometimes likes put unnecessary pressure on you and take away the joy of posting. If you’ve ever thought about how to hide likes on Instagram, the good news is that it’s possible. 

Instagram lets you hide likes before or after publishing your posts and reels. You can even hide likes on other people’s content in your feed. This blog will guide you through all these steps. It will also explain why hiding likes can actually help you focus more on your content, reduce stress, and build real connections with your audience.

How to Hide Likes on Instagram: Before & After Publishing

You may not always want others to see your likes count. Instagram gives you the option to hide them on posts and reels. You can do this before posting or even after publishing.

How to See Likes on IG with Hidden Counts

When you hide likes, others can’t see the total number. It only hides the count from viewers, but not from you.

• Open your post or reel and tap the three dots on top. Then select Insights to check likes, comments, saves, reach, and impressions.
• The like count here is private and only you can see it. But this still helps you measure how well your content is performing.
• You should check Insights often because it shows what type of content works. And when you see one post getting more likes, you can create more of that to keep your audience engaged.

How to Hide Likes on Other People’s Instagram Posts

Instagram is a great place to connect, but likes can feel distracting. They make you compare your posts with others, and that isn’t helpful. You should know there’s a simple way to avoid this pressure.

You can hide likes and keep your feed free from numbers.

• Just open the Instagram app and go straight to your profile.
• Tap on the menu button on the top right corner to continue.
• Select Settings and then choose Privacy from the list.
• Inside Privacy, tap Posts to see post-related options.
• Turn on Hide Likes and wait for the button to turn blue.

Now you will no longer see how many likes others receive. This change lets you enjoy content without constant comparisons. And if you ever change your mind, you can switch it off anytime.

Hiding likes may seem small, but it makes a real difference. It helps you focus more on ideas and less on popularity. You can try it for a week and notice the difference yourself.

How to Hide Likes on Instagram: When Should You Do It

Hiding likes is your choice. It depends on how you use Instagram. Turning them off can shift focus from numbers to your actual content.

▪ Remove Social Bias

In many cases, likes make people compare posts. That can create unfair judgment and pressure. Hiding likes removes this bias. And it puts all posts on equal ground. Your content is then valued for its message, not for numbers.

▪ Reduce the Need for Validation

Chasing likes makes you depend on others for approval. That cycle is harmful. It lowers confidence. And it takes away the joy of posting freely on the platform. Hiding likes helps you focus on yourself and build self-trust.

▪ Encourage Real Engagement

Likes are quick taps. But real engagement comes from comments and shares. When likes are hidden, people interact more meaningfully with your posts. They comment, share thoughts, and build deeper connections with you and your content.

▪ Focus on Content Quality

Sometimes you might post just to earn likes. This can hurt your creativity over time. It pushes you to follow trends in a loop. And it hides your true ideas. By hiding likes, you post freely and focus on quality instead.

▪ Protect Your Mental Health

Low likes can cause stress. And they can trigger self-comparison easily. This affects your confidence. It also makes you anxious about posting. Hiding likes reduces this pressure and helps you enjoy social media again.

Instagram Hide Likes: The Pros and Cons

Not everything about removing likes is good or bad. You should know both sides before you decide what it really means.

The Truth About Hidden Likes: Content, Algorithms & Businesses

Hidden Likes Encourage Better Content

When likes are hidden, you stop focusing only on numbers. You begin thinking more about the quality of what you post. And this shift helps you share ideas without fear of low likes. 

You can still see your own likes and measure performance clearly. But your audience will see the content for what it truly is. This makes your posts feel more natural and meaningful to followers.

Hidden Likes Don’t Change the Algorithm

You may think hidden likes change how Instagram ranks your posts. But that’s not the case—Instagram still counts likes as engagement data. It continues tracking likes, comments, shares, and saves in the background.

And these actions still decide how your post appears in the feed. So the algorithm works the same even when likes are invisible. Your growth still depends on how much people interact with your content.

Why Businesses Need Hidden Metrics?

For businesses, hidden likes make influencer marketing harder to measure. You can’t simply check like counts to judge someone’s influence anymore. But you can use platforms that give access to hidden engagement. 

These tools show reach, saves, and audience details you cannot see otherwise. And this data helps you pick influencers that fit your brand goals. It shifts focus away from vanity numbers to results that matter.

Extra Insight for You

You should not rely only on likes to study your performance. Other metrics like comments, shares, and story views matter even more. And when you track them, you get a complete picture of engagement. 

For businesses, this means better decisions and stronger collaborations with influencers. But it also means you must focus more on building trust. Genuine stories and consistent value will always beat empty likes count.

Hiding Likes on IG: The End Note

Hidden likes are not a new idea for Instagram users. Stories already hide metrics like reach and still succeed with engagement.

And this proves hidden likes won’t harm your content strategy either.

If you focus on quality and track private data, you’ll adapt. But the real key is to use the right tools like Practina for social media growth and insights. This way, hidden likes can push you toward a stronger and more authentic online presence.

FAQs

Q: Can You Remove a Like on Instagram?

A: Yes, you can. Just go to the post, tap the heart icon again, and the like will be removed instantly.

Q: How to Hide How Many Likes on Instagram?

A: Open post settings, go to advanced options, and turn on “Hide like count.” You can do this before or after posting.

Q: How to Turn Off Like Count on IG?

A: Tap the three dots on your post and select “Hide like count.” The number will disappear, but you can still see it in Insights.

Q: Can You Turn Off Likes on Instagram?

A: You can’t fully turn them off. But you can hide like counts on your posts and in your feed to keep numbers out of sight.

Q: Can Other People Tell If I’ve Hidden Likes on My Posts?

A: No, they can’t. Your audience only sees that the like count is hidden — they don’t get any notification or alert about it.

Q: Does Hiding Likes on Instagram Work for Both New and Old Posts?

A: Yes, it does. You can hide likes on any post or reel, whether it’s new or something you shared a long time ago.

Q: Is Hiding Likes Better for Personal or Business Accounts?

A: Both can benefit. Personal users avoid comparison pressure, while businesses focus more on engagement quality than vanity numbers.