The visibility of like counts on Instagram Reels can be adjusted by users. This feature allows individuals to control whether the number of likes received on their Reels is displayed to others and to themselves. Disabling the like count removes the numerical value that typically appears beneath a Reel, showing the number of interactions it has garnered.
Controlling the visibility of engagement metrics can contribute to a more personalized experience. Some users may choose to hide like counts to mitigate the pressure of social comparison, focusing instead on content creation without external validation. Historically, social media platforms have offered visibility options in response to growing awareness of the psychological effects of constant metric tracking.