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Instagram Feed Controls: Hide Like Counts, See Less Sensitive Content

Instagram lets you change what you see and what others see: you can hide like counts on everyone’s posts and on your own, choose who can see the posts you like, reset your suggested content, choose to see less sensitive content from accounts you don’t follow, and mark posts as Not interested. Our note: none of these unfollow or block anyone.

Edited by Michael Michael Reviewed 7 min read 5 fixes Feed & notifications

Quick answer

Hide likes you see: profile > Menu > below What you see, tap Like and share counts > turn on Hide like & share counts. Hide likes on your post: before sharing, open More options > Hide like counts on this post (computer: Advanced settings > Hide like and view counts on this post); after sharing, tap Options on the post > Hide like count to others. See less sensitive content: profile > Menu > Content Preferences > Sensitive content > Less > Confirm.

What do you want to change?

Does this match what you see?

  • You’d rather not see how many likes posts get.
  • You want to hide the likes on your own posts.
  • Explore or Reels shows content you find upsetting.

iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)

Based on Instagram Help’s “Hide or unhide like counts” (computer, Android, iPhone and iPad tabs), “Limit sensitive content that you see” and “About Sensitive Content Control”, supplied by the site owner on November 13, 2026, plus Meta’s January 2023 announcement on recommendations.

Why this happens: the possible causes

Our estimate of why these settings may not seem to work, based on Instagram’s pages.

  • It only limits accounts you don’t followCheck this first

    Instagram says Sensitive Content Control only limits this content from accounts you don’t follow; you still see posts from accounts you follow.

  • You hid likes for others, not for yourselfPossible

    Instagram says you still see the total likes on your own posts after hiding them from others.

  • The content breaks the rules insteadPossible

    Instagram says Sensitive Content Control doesn’t apply to content that goes against its Community Standards or content shown with a warning.

Try these 60-second checks first

  • Check you changed the right setting: Like and share counts (what you see) is separate from hiding likes on your own post.

How to fix it, step by step

Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.

Fix 1: Hide like counts on posts and reels you see

Safe & reversible1 miniPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)

Instagram says you can change whether you see the total number of likes on posts and reels.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right (iPad: your profile picture on the left).
  2. Tap Menu in the top right.
  3. Below What you see, tap Like and share counts.
  4. Turn Hide like & share counts on or off.

Android

  1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right.
  2. Tap Menu in the top right.
  3. Below What you see, tap Like and share counts.
  4. Turn Hide like & share counts on or off.

Computer (browser)

  1. Click More in the bottom left, then Settings.
  2. Below What you see, click Like and share counts.
  3. Turn Hide like & share counts on or off.

Did it work? Posts in your feed no longer show a like count.

Fix 2: Hide like counts on your own posts

Safe & reversible1 miniPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)

Instagram says you can choose whether others see like and view counts on posts you share. You still see your own total.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Before sharing: tap More options at the bottom, then turn on Hide like counts on this post.
  2. After sharing (iPhone): tap Options in the top right of your post, then Hide like count to others. To undo it, tap Unhide like count to others.

Android

  1. Before sharing: tap More options at the bottom, then turn on Hide like counts on this post.
  2. After sharing: tap Options in the top right of your post, then Hide like count to others. To undo it, tap Unhide like count to others.

Computer (browser)

  1. Before sharing: click Advanced settings at the bottom, then turn on Hide like and view counts on this post.
  2. After sharing: click Options in the top right of your post, then Hide like count (or Unhide like count).

Instagram’s iPad tab only lists the before-sharing steps.

Did it work? Others see your post without a like count, and you still see yours.

Fix 3: Choose who can see the posts you like

Safe & reversible1 miniPhone & iPadAndroid

Instagram says you can control who can see your likes on other people’s posts and reels.

  1. Open the Instagram app and tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right.
  2. Tap Menu in the top right.
  3. Tap Likes you’ve made.
  4. Choose who can see what you like: everyone, people you follow, close friends, or Don’t allow anyone to see likes.

Instagram says that whatever you choose, the account that posted the content can still see that you liked it. You can always see your own likes, including in Your Activity.

Did it work? Likes you’ve made shows the option you chose.

Fix 4: Reset your suggested content

Read first: can remove data2 miniPhone & iPadAndroid

Instagram says you can reset your suggested posts and reels to see content about topics you may not normally see. It can’t be undone.

  1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right, then Menu in the top right.
  2. Below What you see, tap Content preferences.
  3. Tap Reset suggested content, then Next, and follow the on-screen steps. You can review who you follow and your ad topics.
  4. Tap Reset suggested content to confirm.

Instagram says resetting can’t be undone, doesn’t change who you follow or the ads you see, and doesn’t delete your data. Suggestions become personalized again as you like, share and interact. It isn’t available on computers. Instagram gives the same steps for iPhone and Android.

Did it work? Explore and Reels show a wider mix of topics.

Fix 5: See less (or more) sensitive content

Safe & reversible1 miniPhone & iPadAndroid

Instagram says Sensitive Content Control lets you choose how much content you see that you might find upsetting or offensive, from accounts you don’t follow.

  1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right.
  2. Tap Menu in the top right.
  3. Tap Content Preferences, then Sensitive content.
  4. Tap Select next to Less to see less content you may find upsetting (or next to More to see more).
  5. Tap Confirm.

Instagram says the default is Standard. It applies in Explore, Search, Reels, Comments, Accounts You Might Follow, hashtag pages and recommendations in your feed. Instagram gives the same steps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Instagram Lite (and under its computer tab).

Did it work? Sensitive content shows Less.

Tell Instagram what you’re not interested in

In January 2023, Meta said that when you select Not interested on a post in Explore, Instagram aims to avoid showing you that kind of content in other places it makes recommendations, such as Reels and Search. It also said you can hide several Explore posts at once.

Meta also said Hidden Words (in Privacy settings) can filter recommended posts whose caption or hashtags contain words, emojis or hashtags you add, such as “fitness” or “recipes”. Our note: these details come from Meta’s 2023 announcement, so the screens may have changed. For Hidden Words in comments and messages, see Instagram comments.

What Instagram counts as sensitive

Instagram says some content is allowed but may not be recommended, and that’s what this control covers. Its examples:

  • Content that may show violence, such as people fighting (graphically violent content is removed).
  • Content that may be sexually explicit or suggestive, such as see-through clothing (adult nudity and sexual activity are removed).
  • Content promoting regulated products such as tobacco, vaping, adult products or pharmaceutical drugs.
  • Content that may promote or show cosmetic procedures.
  • Content selling products with health claims, such as a weight-loss supplement.

Teen Accounts: two content settings

Instagram’s pages describe two settings for teens:

  • Teen content setting: teens under 18 start on Ages 13+, which Instagram compares to content ratings for ages 13+. Switching to More content needs a parent’s or guardian’s permission.
  • Sensitive Content Control: Teen Accounts start on See less. Instagram says anyone 16 or older can change it, while teens 13 to 15 need parental approval.

Our note: Instagram’s pages give these as separate rules, so we list both. For how parents approve changes, see Instagram supervision.

Saw something that breaks the rules?

Instagram says Sensitive Content Control doesn’t apply to content that goes against its Community Standards, or to content shown with a warning. If you think a post breaks the Community Standards, report it; Instagram says it removes posts that do. See Instagram scams and reporting.

How to know it worked

  • Like counts are hidden where you wanted, and Sensitive content is set to the level you chose.

Still not working? Your next steps

  1. Want a reminder after a set time each day? See Instagram daily limit and time spent.
  2. Getting unwanted comments or messages? See Limit interactions.

Official help routes

SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.

Frequently asked questions

How do I hide likes on Instagram?

To stop seeing likes on posts, go to your profile > Menu > Like and share counts (below What you see) and turn on Hide like & share counts. To hide likes on your own post, use More options before sharing (Advanced settings on a computer) or Options on the post afterward.

How do I reset my Instagram feed or Explore page?

In the app, go to your profile > Menu > Content preferences (below What you see) > Reset suggested content, and follow the steps. Instagram says it can’t be undone, doesn’t change who you follow, and suggestions become personalized again as you interact.

Can people see the posts I like on Instagram?

You choose: go to your profile > Menu > Likes you’ve made, and pick everyone, people you follow, close friends, or no one. Instagram says the person who posted can always see that you liked it.

Can I still see likes on my own posts if I hide them?

Yes. Instagram says you still see the total number of likes on your own posts.

How do I see less sensitive content on Instagram?

Profile > Menu > Content Preferences > Sensitive content, tap Select next to Less, then Confirm.

Why do I still see sensitive posts after choosing Less?

Instagram says the control only limits content from accounts you don’t follow, and doesn’t apply to content that breaks the Community Standards (which you can report) or content shown with a warning.

Can teens change the sensitive content setting?

Instagram says Teen Accounts start on See less; anyone 16 or older can change it, while teens 13 to 15 need parental approval. Separately, Instagram says teens under 18 start on the Ages 13+ content setting and need a parent’s or guardian’s permission to switch it to More content.

Sources and how we checked this guide

We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.

  1. Reset your suggested content (external site, opens in a new tab)Instagram Help Center · checked 13 November 2026
  2. Manage who can see your likes on content on Instagram (external site, opens in a new tab)Instagram Help Center · checked 13 November 2026
  3. Hide or unhide like counts on Instagram posts and reels (external site, opens in a new tab)Instagram Help Center · checked 13 November 2026
  4. Limit sensitive content that you see on Instagram (external site, opens in a new tab)Instagram Help Center · checked 13 November 2026
  5. About Sensitive Content Control on Instagram (external site, opens in a new tab)Instagram Help Center · checked 13 November 2026
  6. Instagram Quiet Mode: A New Way to Manage Your Time and Focus (external site, opens in a new tab)Meta Newsroom · checked 13 November 2026

Last reviewed 13 November 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 13 May 2027. Editor: Michael Michael. How we write and review guides.

What changed
  • 13 November 2026: First published, including who can see the posts you like and resetting suggested content.

SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or Instagram. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.