Instagram has become a part of everyday life for millions of people around the world. From sharing personal moments to promoting businesses and creative work, Instagram offers a space for expression. One of the most defining features of the platform is the “like” button, which serves as a quick way to interact with content. However, as social media evolves, many users are reconsidering the impact of likes on their mental well-being, privacy, and overall experience.
Whether you’re looking to reduce social pressure, avoid comparison, or simply clean up your activity, this comprehensive guide will show you how to remove, hide, and manage likes on Instagram. Let’s explore all the options available to you in 2025.
Why Remove Likes on Instagram?
Here are some common reasons people choose to remove or hide likes on Instagram:
- Mental health awareness: Seeing likes can create pressure to post popular content, leading to stress or anxiety.
- Privacy and discretion: Some users prefer not to display how many likes they give or receive.
- Focus on content: Hiding likes shifts attention from social validation to creativity and message.
- Authentic engagement: Without the pressure of likes, users may feel more free to post genuine content.
- Professional presentation: Influencers or brands may want to maintain a specific aesthetic or engagement strategy.
Whatever your motivation, Instagram now offers more control over how likes are displayed and managed.
1. How to Hide Like Counts on Your Own Instagram Posts
Instagram allows users to hide the number of likes on their posts either before publishing or after they’ve gone live.
To hide like counts before posting a photo or video:
1. Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon to create a new post.
2. Choose your photo or video, apply filters, and write a caption.
3. Scroll down and tap “More options” at the bottom of the screen.
4. Toggle on “Hide like and view counts on this post.”
5. Tap “Back” and publish your post as usual.
To hide like counts on an already published post:
1. Go to your Instagram profile and open the post.
2. Tap the three vertical dots (“…”) in the upper-right corner of the post.
3. Tap “Hide like count.”
Once you do this, viewers will see a message like “Liked by [username] and others” instead of a number. You can still tap to see who liked the post, but not the total count.
To unhide like counts later:
- Follow the same steps.
- Tap “Unhide like count” to show the number again.
2. How to Hide Like Counts on Other Users’ Posts in Your Feed
Don’t want to see how many likes other people’s posts get? You can turn off like counts across your entire feed.
Here’s how to do it:
Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner.
3. Tap “Settings and privacy.”
4. Scroll down and select “Like and share counts.”
5. Tap “Hide like counts” and toggle it on.
This setting applies to all posts you see in your feed, whether from friends, influencers, or brands. Like counts will be hidden automatically, though you can still like and comment on posts as usual.
3. How to Unlike a Post on Instagram
Maybe you liked a post by accident, or changed your mind about engaging with certain content. Removing your like is quick and simple.
To unlike a post:
- Go to the post you previously liked.
- Tap the red heart icon. It will return to the hollow outline, indicating the like has been removed.
Important: If the user was online and viewing notifications at the moment you liked the post, they may have seen the like before you removed it. However, unliking a post removes it from their list of likes.
4. How to View and Remove All Your Likes
Want to keep track of your liked content and remove likes from multiple posts? Here’s how:
1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
2. Tap the menu (three horizontal lines).
3. Select “Your activity.”
4. Tap “Interactions.”
5. Tap “Likes.”
You will now see a list of all the posts you’ve liked, sorted by date.
To remove likes from this list:
- Tap on each post to open it.
- Tap the red heart icon to unlike it.
Note: Instagram does not currently support bulk unliking, so this must be done one post at a time.
5. Can You Remove Likes That Other People Gave to Your Posts?
Unfortunately, Instagram does not allow users to remove likes that others have given to their content. If someone likes your post, you cannot delete their like manually.
Your options include:
- Hiding the like count (explained earlier).
- Blocking the user (which removes their engagement and prevents future interaction).
- Making your account private to limit who can engage.
6. How to Manage Likes on Reels and Videos
Instagram Reels also support hiding like and view counts.
To hide likes and views on Reels:
- Before sharing your Reel, go to Advanced Settings.
- Toggle on “Hide like and view counts on this Reel.”
You can also do this after posting by tapping the three dots and selecting “Hide like count.”
7. Bonus Tips to Make the Most of Instagram Without the Pressure of Likes
- Try journaling your experience: Note how you feel when likes are hidden versus visible.
- Engage more mindfully: Focus on meaningful comments and DMs rather than likes.
- Curate your feed: Follow accounts that inspire and uplift you.
- Limit screen time: Use Instagram’s built-in activity timer to avoid endless scrolling.
- Experiment with content styles: Post without worrying about popularity and see what feels authentic.
Conclusion
In 2025, Instagram gives you more power than ever to shape your online experience. Whether you’re looking to hide like counts, unlike posts, or simply reduce the noise around numbers, managing likes is an easy and effective step toward a healthier digital life.
Remember: Social media should be a tool that works for you, not something that adds pressure. Start by taking small steps, try different settings, and find the balance that brings you the most joy.
FAQs: Remove Likes on Instagram
Can I remove likes from other people’s posts?
No, you can’t remove likes that other users have given to posts. You can only manage the likes you’ve given or hide the like counts on your own posts.
Will hiding likes affect how my posts perform in the algorithm?
No, hiding like counts is a visual change only. Instagram’s algorithm still considers engagement like likes and comments when promoting content.
Will someone know if I unlike their post?
No, Instagram does not send notifications when you unlike a post. However, if they saw the notification before you unliked it, they may have noticed.