Instagram Testing New Feature to Allow Users to Control Who Can See Their Likes

Matt Navarra/Instagram

Instagram is testing a new feature that allows users to control who can see their likes on other people's posts and Reels. Users can choose from the following options:

Matt Navarra/Instagram

• Allow everyone to see likes

• Allow people you follow to see likes

• Allow close friends to see likes

• Don't allow anyone to see likes

Regardless of the option selected, users (as well as the account that shared the content) will always be able to see the likes.

Why it Matters: This new option provides Instagram users with more privacy, similar to a recent feature rollout from X that also allows Premium X users to hide their likes. As the content users interact with can have potential ramifications, the ability to hide likes can minimize potential backlash or issues. This can encourage users to engage with content (a plus for Instagram) they like without worrying about the views of others. It can also simply be a matter of wanting more privacy regarding one's likes, even if they are not controversial.