Likes used to be the most important part of the Instagram experience. People used to worry so much about how many likes they had on posts and little about the quality of the posts themselves.
Gradually, Instagram has undergone a significant shift. Nowadays, creators bother a lot more about the quality of their content, letting the likes and engagements come on their own. However, some users have taken it a step further by applying Instagram’s fairly recent like-hiding feature.
If you’re searching for how to show likes, then you’ve probably come across a post with the hidden likes feature turned on.
Let’s explore the current state of likes on Instagram and alternative ways to gauge engagement:
Why Do Some Instagram Users Hide Their Like Counts?
Several factors might have influenced these users’ decision to hide their like counts. The most important and glaring reason is for mental well-being.
The seemingly harmless Like counter can be the source of a truckload of anxiety and pressure. We all want the likes on our posts to be substantial, but it becomes a problem when that number of likes on your posts directly affects your mood and mental state.
Some people search for external validation to the extent that a low count can mess up their entire day. This issue cuts across the entire platform, from influencers with thousands of followers to users with less than a hundred.
To prevent people from letting their like counts determine their self-worth, Instagram rolled out this feature. On the app, you can hide your like count, sir no one sees them, and even hide everyone else’s, so you don’t see them.
It’s a step in the right direction, and we’ve got to give them props for that.
Can I See How Many Likes a Post Has Even if Hidden?
If You’re the Owner of the Post
If you’re the owner of the post, yes you can. The Like Count is hidden but not removed, so you can easily view your likes to get insights if you wish. Here’s how:
- Open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile.
- Tap on the specific post you’re interested in.
- Look below the caption. You’ll see the number of likes displayed as ‘Liked by (username) and others.’ Tapping on this section reveals a list of users who have liked your post.
If You’ve Previously Hidden Likes
If you had previously hidden Likes on other accounts, there’s a quick way to undo your choice. This option will show you the like counts of posts, as long as the owner didn’t hide them. Here’s how it’s done:
- Get to your profile by tapping on the profile photo at the bottom right of the screen.
- Tap on the hamburger menu icon at the top right of the screen.
- Scroll down to ‘Like and Share Counts’ and tap on it.
- Tap on the ‘Hide Like and Share Counts’ toggle to switch it off.
Conclusion
The addition of Likes hiding on Instagram is a reminder that engagement goes beyond a simple number. By creating high-quality content and gaining genuine interactions, you can build a thriving presence on Instagram, regardless of whether like counts are displayed publicly.
