How to Hide Likes on Instagram (2026): The Complete Guide

Ever posted something on Instagram and then watched the like count like it was a scoreboard? You are not alone. Whether you are a new creator comparing yourself to bigger accounts or a brand that would rather have people focus on the content itself, Instagram gives you a built-in way to take like counts out of the equation — no third-party app, no workaround, no risk to your account. In this guide, we walk through every way to hide likes on Instagram in 2026: on new posts, on posts you have already shared, on Reels, and across your entire feed.

What Hiding Likes Actually Does (and Does Not Do)

Before changing any settings, it is worth understanding exactly what the feature controls. When you hide likes, Instagram removes the public number from your post. Other people will see “Liked by [username] and others” instead of an exact figure. However, a few important things stay the same:

• People can still like your post. Hiding the count changes what others see, not what they can do. Likes keep coming in as normal.
• You can still see your own like counts. Open your own post and the total is still visible to you, and you can check detailed numbers in Instagram Insights if you use a Creator or Business account.
• The list of likers is not hidden. Anyone can tap “Liked by… and others” to see who liked the post.
• It does not reduce reach. Hiding likes has no effect on how the Instagram algorithm ranks or distributes your content. Your posts can still land on the Explore page and in feeds based on real engagement.

In short: hiding likes is a visibility setting, not a performance setting. Think of it as putting the scoreboard away, not stopping the game.

How to Hide Likes on a New Post (Before Publishing)

The cleanest time to hide likes is before your post goes live. The option sits on the final share screen, and it takes a few seconds:

1. Open Instagram and tap the + icon to create a new post.
2. Choose your photo or video, then add your caption, tags, location and filters as usual.
3. On the final share screen, scroll down and tap Advanced settings (on some versions this appears as More options at the bottom).
4. Turn on Hide like counts on this post.
5. Go back and tap Share.

Your post will publish with no visible like count — other people will only see “Liked by [username] and others” beneath it. This works for single photos, carousels and most video posts.

How to Hide Likes on a Post You Have Already Shared

Changed your mind after publishing? No problem — Instagram lets you hide likes retroactively on individual posts:

1. Open your profile and tap the post you want to change.
2. Tap the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner of the post.
3. Select Hide like count to others.

That is all it takes. The number disappears immediately. To bring it back later, repeat the same steps and choose Unhide like count. Note that, as of 2026, there is no bulk-hide option — if you want to hide likes on many posts, you will need to do it one post at a time.

How to Hide Likes on Reels

Reels have their own path to the same setting. For a Reel you have already published:

1. Open the Reel from your profile or the Reels tab.
2. Tap the three dots (usually in the bottom-right corner).
3. Tap Manage, then select Hide likes.

For a Reel you are about to publish, look for the like-count option under Advanced settings on the share screen, just like with feed posts. Keep in mind that Story likes are private by default — only you can see who liked your Story, so there is nothing extra to switch off there.

How to Hide Like Counts Across Your Whole Feed

If the problem is not your own posts but the constant comparison while scrolling, Instagram lets you remove like counts from everything you see:

1. Tap your profile picture, then the menu (☰) in the top right.
2. Go to Settings and privacy (or Settings and activity).
3. Under What you see, tap Like and share counts.
4. Turn on Hide like & share counts.

From now on, every post in your feed will show “Liked by [username] and others” instead of a number. This setting is personal — it only changes what you see. Everyone else still sees counts according to their own settings.

How to Control Who Sees the Likes You Make

Beyond hiding counts on your own posts, Instagram has a separate privacy control for the likes you give to other people’s content. In your settings you can choose who is allowed to see what you have liked: everyone, people you follow, your Close Friends, or no one. To review or remove past activity, open Your activity from the menu and tap Likes you have made. This is a useful companion setting if you want fuller control over your like footprint on the platform. For more on managing who sees your activity, check out our guide to IGTools for Instagram: the complete guide.

How to Unhide Like Counts Again

Hiding likes is fully reversible, so you can experiment without worry:

• On a single post: open the post, tap the three dots and choose Unhide like count.
• For a Reel: open the Reel, tap the three dots, go to Manage and switch the setting back.
• Across your feed: return to Settings and privacy → What you see → Like and share counts and turn the toggle off.

Does Hiding Likes Affect Your Reach or the Instagram Algorithm?

This is the question every creator asks, so let us be clear: hiding likes does not hurt your reach. Instagram’s ranking systems work off signals like watch time, saves, shares (sends per reach) and interactions relative to reach — not the visible like number. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has confirmed that the metrics that matter most are watch time, likes per reach and sends per reach, with DM shares and saves carrying more weight than likes.

In fact, there is an argument that hiding likes can help engagement: when the number is visible, some people skip liking a post that already looks unpopular (the “bandwagon effect” in reverse). Removing the count means people judge the content on its own merits. If your engagement has been worrying you, our breakdown of how Instagram’s viewer lists work is another useful piece of the engagement puzzle.

Why More Creators Are Hiding Likes in 2026

Hiding likes started as a mental-health feature and has quietly become a growth tactic. Here is why creators are switching it on:

• Less comparison pressure. New accounts no longer look “small” next to established ones, which makes posting feel safer.
• Focus on the content. Brands want viewers reading the caption and tapping the link, not doing mental maths on the like count.
• The like recession. In 2026, many creators report that likes carry less weight than ever, with the Instagram algorithm prioritising watch time, saves and DM shares. If likes are no longer the headline metric, hiding them is a natural step.
• Cleaner brand image. Campaign posts and sponsored content look more timeless without a public number that dates them.

A Safety Note: No Third-Party App Needed

You may see apps and websites promising to hide likes, boost likes or manage like visibility in ways Instagram does not offer. You do not need any of them — everything in this guide uses official, built-in settings. As a rule, never enter your Instagram password into a third-party tool that claims to manage likes or counts on your behalf; legitimate tools have no reason to ask for your credentials, and these sites are a common source of account theft and spam follows. If you have ever handed your login to such a service, change your password and enable two-factor authentication right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide likes on Instagram without hiding the like button?

Yes. Hiding likes only removes the visible count. The heart button stays exactly where it is, and people can keep liking your posts. You are hiding a number, not disabling a feature.

Can people still see who liked my post after I hide the count?

Yes. Anyone can tap “Liked by [username] and others” under your post to view the list of people who liked it. Hiding likes removes the total number, not the names.

Will hiding likes reduce my post’s reach or engagement?

No. Instagram has confirmed that hiding like counts does not affect how the algorithm ranks your content. Reach depends on signals like watch time, saves, shares and overall engagement — the visible number plays no role in distribution.

Can I hide likes on all my old posts at once?

As of 2026, Instagram does not offer a bulk option. You need to open each post, tap the three dots and select Hide like count to others individually. The feed-wide setting (Settings → Like and share counts) only changes what you see, not what others see on your posts.

Do people know when I hide likes on my post?

There is no notification and no label that says likes are hidden. Your post simply shows “Liked by [username] and others” where the number used to be, so most viewers will not notice anything unusual.