You can hide like counts on Instagram in two ways: for your own post (before you publish, or later from the three-dot menu) and for the posts you see in your feed (a switch in your settings under Posts). Hiding removes the public number only. You, as the owner, still see all likes, and a viewer can still see some names.
Visible like counts can create pressure, for creators who compare numbers and for viewers who scroll. Instagram lets you hide the count, but the options are easy to confuse. This guide explains each, what others can still see, and what is different on X.
Can you hide your likes on Instagram?
Yes, with two different switches that do different jobs.
| Setting | What it changes | Who is affected |
|---|---|---|
| Hide like count on your post | The number others see under your post | Everyone who views that post |
| Hide like and share counts in your feed | The numbers you see on other people's posts | Only you |
The first is about how your post looks to others. The second is about how Instagram looks to you.
How to hide likes on your own new post
- Start a new post and choose your photo or video.
- On the caption screen, scroll down and tap Advanced settings.
- Switch on the toggle that conceals the counters for this one post.
- Tap Share.
The post goes live without a public number. You can still see the total yourself.
How to hide likes on a post you already published
- Open the post.
- Tap the three dots at the top of it.
- Choose Hide like count.
The number disappears for others. To bring it back, repeat the steps and choose to show it. Each post has its own switch, so there is no single button for the whole profile. Menu labels may differ between versions, and the option should be near the other post controls, such as edit and archive.
How to hide likes on other people's posts
If the numbers in your feed bother you, hide them for everything you see.
- Open your profile and tap the menu.
- Go to Settings and privacy.
- Open the section for Posts (it may sit under Privacy).
- Turn on Hide like and share counts.
After that, the feed shows posts without totals. You can still open a post and see a list of likers if the owner has not hidden them.
If you hide likes, can others still see them?
The public number is hidden, but not everything. Here is what stays visible:
- The owner sees the full count. You, the poster, can always see the exact number and the list.
- A name can still show. Under some posts you see a line such as "liked by" one account "and others" instead of a total.
- The list can sometimes be opened. Depending on version, tapping a post may still open the list of accounts.
So hiding the count is about looks, not secrecy. Nothing you do removes likes from the owner's view or from the post's data.
Does hiding likes change reach?
There is no sign that it does. Instagram's recommendation system uses interactions behind the scenes, and a hidden count does not change them. Some creators report that hiding likes makes them post with less anxiety, which may help them keep going. Others prefer to show likes as social proof. It is a presentation choice.
Hiding likes on Reels and carousels
The same logic applies to other formats. A Reel has its own like count, and the options near the share screen or the three-dot menu usually let you conceal it, much like a photo post. A carousel is one post, so one switch covers every slide. If you cannot find the option on a given format, update the app first, since Instagram rolls features out gradually and not every account sees the same menu at the same time.
Stories are different: they have no public like count. A viewer can send a reaction, and only you see the list of who watched and who reacted.
What do viewers think when they see no number?
Most people simply scroll on. A hidden count removes the quick comparison with other posts, so the viewer focuses on the picture or the caption. For small accounts, this can be a relief, because a post with twenty likes no longer looks weak next to one with two thousand. For brands, a missing number can look like a deliberate choice or like something to hide, so decide which impression you want and stay consistent across the grid.
A simple test: two weeks with likes hidden
If you cannot decide, run a short experiment.
- Week one. Publish as usual and write down likes, comments and saves for each post.
- Week two. Hide the count on every new post and record the same numbers.
- Compare. Look at comments and saves, not likes alone, because those show deeper interest.
If engagement stays similar and you feel calmer, keep the setting. If you miss the social proof, switch it back on. The test costs nothing and takes the guesswork out of the choice.
Should you hide likes?
Think about your goal.
- Hide them if the number distracts you, you post personal content or you do not want comparisons.
- Show them if you are building a brand and want visible proof that people react to your posts.
- Hide only for yourself if the pressure comes from seeing other people's numbers.
You can change your mind at any time per post, so test for a few weeks.
What about your own liked posts?
Do not confuse hiding like counts with hiding which posts you liked. That list is private to you already, in Your activity, and others cannot open it. Our guide to seeing likes on Instagram explains where it lives and what other people can see.
How do you hide likes on X (Twitter)?
On X, the situation is different. The Likes tab on your profile, which lists the posts you liked, has been made private so only you see it, according to the platform's changes. The like count under each post remains public, and there is no standard switch to hide it on the posts you publish. If the number bothers you, you can avoid looking at it, or use the settings that mute notifications about likes. Check X's current settings, because options change.
For managing who follows you on X, our guide to removing followers on X covers the available options.
Checklist: control how likes look
- [ ] Decide whether the issue is how others see you or how you see others.
- [ ] Use the post switch for your own posts and the feed setting for other people's.
- [ ] Remember that the owner always sees the total.
- [ ] Re-check settings after big app updates.
- [ ] Do not use third-party tools that ask for your password.
How it works at LikeMan
Some creators hide counts and still want their posts to look active when they are shown. LikeMan Instagram likes take the link of a public post and nothing else; no password is requested. The total is displayed before payment, the work starts automatically once it clears, and any decline in the next year is replaced.
A like works as a small signal for a visitor and does not decide which posts Instagram recommends. If you wonder what a growing audience can earn, read about the follower thresholds for creator pay; other options sit on the LikeMan Instagram page.
FAQ
Can people see my likes if I hide them?
They cannot see the public number. You, as the owner, still see it, and some names may show.
How do I turn off likes on Instagram completely?
You can hide the counts but not remove likes. The like button remains.
Does hiding likes hurt my posts?
There is no evidence that it does. It changes presentation, not distribution.
Can I hide likes on old posts?
Yes, one post at a time from the three-dot menu.
Can I hide likes on X?
Your liked posts list is private, but the like count under posts is public.
Conclusion
Instagram has two switches for likes: one for your own posts and one for what you see. Hiding changes the public number and nothing else, so the owner still sees everything. Choose the option that suits your goal, check labels after updates and keep your password private.
Prepared with AI assistance and fact-checked by the LikeMan editorial team. Last reviewed: 2026-10-15.