How to Hide Like Count on Instagram Posts: Step-by-Step Guide to All 3 Available Options

Instagram is no longer just a photo-sharing app—it’s a powerful social platform where likes, views, and engagement often influence how content is perceived. However, not everyone is comfortable with public like counts. Recognizing this, Instagram introduced a feature in 2021 that allows users to hide like and view counts on their posts.

The idea behind this change was to give users more control over their experience. While some creators rely on like counts to track trends and popularity, others find that hiding likes reduces pressure and improves mental well-being. Instagram acknowledged that people use the platform differently, which is why it now offers flexible options to hide like counts—either for individual posts or for the entire feed.

If you’re wondering how to hide likes on Instagram, here’s a detailed explanation of all three available methods, explained step by step.

Option 1: Hide Like Count on an Existing Instagram Post

This option is useful if you’ve already shared a post and later decide you don’t want others to see the number of likes.

Steps to hide likes on an existing post:

1. Open the Instagram app on your smartphone.

2. Tap on your profile icon located at the bottom-right corner.

3. Select the post from which you want to hide the like count.

4. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the post.

5. Choose “Hide like count” from the list.

Once enabled, the number of likes will no longer be visible to other users. If you ever want to show the like count again, you can simply revisit the same menu and select the unhide option.

Option 2: Hide Like Count Before Sharing a New Post

Instagram also allows users to hide likes before publishing a post, giving you full control right from the start.

Steps to hide likes on a new post:

1. Select the photo or video you want to upload.

2. Edit the post as usual and proceed to the caption screen.

3. Scroll down and tap on “Advanced settings.”

4. Toggle on “Hide like and view counts on this post.”

5. Go back and share your post.

This method ensures that the like count remains hidden from the moment the post goes live.

Option 3: Hide Like Count on All Instagram Posts

If you prefer a distraction-free experience, Instagram lets you hide like counts across your entire feed.

Steps to hide likes on all posts:

1. Open the Instagram app.

2. Go to your profile section.

3. Tap the three-line menu at the top-right corner.

4. Select Settings, then tap Privacy.

5. Go to Posts.

6. Toggle on “Hide like and view counts.”

Once activated, you won’t see like counts on posts in your feed, including your own and others’.

Why Hide Like Counts on Instagram?

• Reduces pressure and comparison

• Encourages content creation without validation anxiety

• Improves mental well-being

• Helps users focus on quality rather than numbers

Instagram’s like-hiding feature is entirely optional, allowing users to customize their social media experience according to their comfort.