Likes are central to Instagram (see the heart? ❤️). However, with numerous changes to the platform in recent years, like hiding likes on some posts and profiles, things can get a bit perplexing. Here’s a brief guide on how to see Instagram likes in 2024, covering both the likes you can clearly see and those you somewhat can’t.
Let’s chat about likes, specifically on Instagram.
We’ve all gotten used to likes as both a reaction to content we like and a way to measure engagement. How accurate it is as a metric is another story, but it’s one of the tools we, as marketers, content creators, and business owners, use to see how people respond to our content.
So, it was kinda strange when Instagram removed likes a few years ago. I mean, why hide the number when it’s all about the numbers, right?
Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, explained the update at the time:
“We’re hiding likes to make Instagram less stressful for young people. It might change how much some people use Instagram, maybe liking a bit less and posting a bit more. But what we’re really trying to figure out is how this affects people’s feelings.”
So, can you or can you not see likes on Instagram?
Right now, you have the option to hide the number of likes on your posts if you want to. This means people can see that others liked your post but won’t know the exact number. There are a few reasons you might want to do this:
- Avoid showing low engagement.
- Encourage people to focus more on your content than on the number of likes.
- Stay focused on your content and other types of engagement like comments and shares, rather than just likes, which can be seen as a superficial measure.
It’s easy to get caught up in the number of likes, but brands should remember their other goals and the value they provide to their audience.
Now, you might be wondering: If I hide likes, how do I measure my content’s performance? Even if you hide the like count, you can still see the individual likes. Plus, there are other important metrics to track, such as comments, shares, reach, profile visits, website traffic, conversions, and sales.
But if you’re here to learn how to see Instagram likes in 2024, let’s dive in.
How to reveal hidden likes on Instagram
Due to ongoing changes in Instagram API, third-party tools can no longer uncover hidden likes.
When likes are hidden under a post, it appears like this:
You can see that people liked it, but there’s no visible number. If you want to know the count, here’s how:
Even if like counts are hidden, you can still view all the likes under each post. Tapping on “others” shows you the list of accounts that liked the content.
To turn the like count back on, go to your account’s Settings from the top right corner and scroll down to “What you see“. Then tap on “Like and share counts” and switch the toggle off to unhide them. This setting applies to your Threads posts too.
Note that hiding like counts affects other accounts’ views across Instagram.
You can also hide and unhide likes for individual posts. Tap the three dots on your post, then tap “Hide like count” or “Unhide like count“. This only affects that post, and you can quickly toggle it as needed.
You can also do this before sharing a post or reel. Even if likes are hidden, you can still view engagement numbers in your Instagram Insights if you have a Professional or Creator account.
Instagram Likes FAQs
In summary, here’s a quick Q&A with key details about how to view likes on Instagram:
Does Instagram display likes?
In 2024, Instagram users have the option to show or hide likes on individual posts or hide like counts across the app. You can customize settings for specific posts or hide like counts for all Instagram posts by toggling a switch in your account settings.
Can you still see Instagram likes in 2024?
Yes, you can still see your likes, even if the like count is hidden – you just won’t see the exact number. However, engagement numbers are visible in the Instagram Insights section of your account.
For others’ posts, you can technically see the likes; the like count is just not displayed under the posts.
Did Instagram remove the “Posts you’ve liked” feature?
No, Instagram did not remove the option to view posts you’ve liked. It’s still available but in a different location within the app.
To find posts you’ve liked, go to your Instagram account’s settings using the menu in the top right corner. Then, scroll down to the Interactions section, tap on “Likes,” and you’ll see all your liked posts from the past year.
You can filter them by authors and see like numbers for Posts and Reels.
How to view liked posts on Instagram?
To see posts you’ve liked on Instagram from the last year:
- Tap on your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
- Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner.
- Click on Your activity -> Interactions -> Likes.
That’s it! You can also sort your likes by dates and authors.