Dealing with disappearing Instagram likes lately? You’re not alone. This seemingly small change has created quite a buzz in the social media world, and I’ve been tracking its impact since Instagram first started testing hidden likes back in the day.
Why Are My Instagram Likes Hidden?
In 2025, Instagram made some significant changes to how likes are displayed, aiming to reduce social pressure and improve mental health. Instead of seeing the total number of likes on others’ posts, you’ll now see “and others” after the first few names. But here’s the thing – you can still see likes on your own posts, which helps maintain that valuable engagement feedback for creators and businesses.
How to View Hidden Likes
Let me share a little secret I’ve discovered while working with countless social media managers. There are actually several ways to still see those likes:
1. Tap on “others” below your post to view the full list of people who’ve liked it
2. Use Instagram’s Professional Dashboard if you have a Business or Creator account
3. Check your Instagram Insights for detailed engagement metrics
Quick Fix for Business Accounts
If you’re running a business account and need those numbers visible, here’s what I recommend: Navigate to Settings > Account > Switch to Professional Account (if you haven’t already). This gives you access to detailed analytics that go beyond just likes.
The Silver Lining
I’ve noticed something interesting while helping clients adapt to this change – content quality has actually improved. Without the pressure of visible likes, creators are focusing more on authentic engagement and meaningful connections. It’s like we’re all finally getting back to what social media was meant to be about: genuine interaction rather than just chasing numbers.
Making the Most of Hidden Likes
Here’s my personal approach to thriving in this new landscape:
– Focus on creating conversation-starting captions
– Engage more actively in comments
– Pay attention to saves and shares (they’re often more valuable than likes anyway)
– Use Stories to encourage direct interaction
Remember, while likes might be hidden, engagement hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s just evolved. In fact, I’ve seen many accounts experiencing better quality interactions since this change. The key is adapting your strategy to focus on meaningful connections rather than just collecting likes.
Think of it this way – would you rather have 1,000 silent likes or 100 engaged followers who actually interact with your content? That’s the mindset that’s winning in 2025’s Instagram landscape.
