On most social media platforms, when someone likes your post or content, that like or reaction is visible to anyone who can view the post. However, on some sites like Facebook and Instagram, there are ways to hide or limit the visibility of likes on your posts.
Quick Answer
Yes, on Facebook and Instagram, creators and page owners have the ability to hide public like counts on their posts. This means that the post will still show it has likes or reactions, but the specific number will be hidden. Users who can see the post will still be able to like it as normal.
Hiding Like Counts on Facebook
On Facebook, Page owners and creators can choose to hide the total number of likes, reactions, and views on their posts. To do this:
- Go to your Page
- Click on Settings at the top
- Select Page Attribution in the left menu
- Toggle the switch for Hide Like and Reaction Counts to the on position
Once enabled, the number of likes and reactions will be hidden on all posts made by that Page going forward. It will also remove publicly visible like counts from existing posts.
Individual Facebook users currently cannot hide like counts on their own regular posts.
Effects of Hiding Likes on Facebook
- Viewers will not see the total number of likes/reactions on posts
- The text “X and others” will show instead of a count
- Posts will still be able to be liked and reacted to as normal
- Analytics within Facebook will still show actual like and reaction counts
- May reduce social pressure associated with like counts
Hiding Likes on Instagram
On Instagram, users have the option to hide public like counts on both their posts and their viewers’ posts. To do this:
- Go to your profile
- Tap on the three line menu in the top right
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Posts
- Toggle Hide Like and View Counts to the on position
Once enabled, total like counts will be hidden on your posts. You can choose to hide like counts on posts you view from others as well.
Effects of Hiding Likes on Instagram
- Total likes on your posts will be hidden publicly
- A “Liked by X and others” message will show instead of counts
- Your posts will still collect likes normally
- Others’ likes on your posts will be hidden if you choose
- May reduce pressure associated with like counts
Why Hide Likes?
Here are some of the reasons why users or platforms may want to hide public like counts:
- Reduce social pressure and comparisons based on like counts
- Focus on sharing meaningful content rather than popularity
- Lessen feelings of inadequacy when posts get few likes
- Make the platform feel less performative and more authentic
- Prevent bandwagon liking behavior where people only like popular posts
Criticisms of Hiding Likes
There are also some criticisms and controversies around hiding like counts on social media:
- Influencers rely on likes for analytics, deals, and sponsorship opportunities
- Likes indicate popularity and what type of content is valued
- Hiding metrics seems inauthentic and against transparency values
- Users should have the choice to show likes if they want to
- May be seen by some as a move to increase less valuable engagement
Other Social Media Sites and Likes
Here is how some other major social platforms handle likes and view counts:
- Total likes are publicly visible on tweets and can’t be hidden
- Users can see a list of accounts that liked a tweet
- View counts on tweets are not public
YouTube
- Video view counts are always public
- Like and dislike counts are public by default
- Creators can choose to hide like/dislike counts
TikTok
- Hearts/likes and view counts are always public
- Only creators can see exact numbers for their videos
- Other users see rounded numbers like 100k once counts are high
- Total likes/saves on pins are not publicly displayed
- Users can see who specifically saved one of their pins
- View counts are not shown publicly
Conclusion
While most social networks display like counts publicly by default, Facebook and Instagram do provide creators and users some control to hide like counts if they want to. The choice to show or hide metric displays reflects different philosophies – authentic engagement vs transparency and popularity. But ultimately giving users control over these visibility settings allows for a more personalized social media experience.