Highlights
- Instagram is testing a feature that lets users control who can see their liked Reels.
- Users can choose from four settings: everyone, only followers, close friends, or total privacy.
- The update responds to discomfort over profile pictures appearing on liked Reels.
- This is part of Instagram’s broader effort to enhance user privacy and control.
Instagram’s New Feature: Take Charge of Your Liked Reels Privacy!
Scrolling through Instagram Reels is a daily joy, sometimes unlocking laughter and emotions long tucked away. From heartwarming pet videos to viral dance trends and oddly satisfying clips, it’s easy to get lost in the endless loop of content that stumbles upon you without prior notice.
Recently, Instagram users have noticed a subtle yet discomforting change while watching Reels—profile pictures of people who liked the video now appear on the left side of the screen. While this might seem like a small visual tweak, it’s caused a surprising amount of unease.
For many, liking a Reel was once a private, casual action. Now, it feels more public and traceable, revealing personal preferences in real time. Whether it’s a humorous clip, a niche meme, or an emotional post, users are suddenly more aware that their digital activity is on display, sparking concerns about privacy and judgment from others.
The thought of your profile wafting across their screens? Pretty awkward, right?
Sometimes, the content we enjoy on Instagram Reels is deeply personal—even if it’s just a silly moment of joy or a late-night scroll through oddly relatable videos. Maybe it’s a Reel that made you laugh uncontrollably, a meme that was hilariously cringeworthy, or a motivational message that unexpectedly struck a chord.
In those moments, liking a Reel feels like a small, harmless interaction. But when others can see what you’ve liked, it turns into something more public—almost like leaving a digital trail that reveals your personality, mood, or vulnerability. Suddenly, that simple like becomes a reflection of you, and not everyone’s comfortable with that.
Instagram has caught on to this discomfort and is now working on a much-needed privacy upgrade. According to Instagram insider Alessandro Paluzzi, a new feature will soon allow users to control who can see their liked Reels.
A leaked screenshot shared on X (formerly Twitter) showcases the upcoming options:
- Everyone can see your liked Reels.
- Only people you follow can view them.
- Only close friends get access.
- No one sees them—total privacy!
This move is part of Instagram’s broader effort to put privacy control back into users’ hands. Over the past few years, the platform has rolled out several privacy updates, like hiding likes on posts, restricting who can comment, and limiting who can message you. Now, with this new setting, Instagram is giving users more control over how they interact with content, without worrying about who’s keeping tabs.
And let’s be real—whether you’re binge-liking puppy videos, dance challenges, or those oddly satisfying cleaning clips, your preferences should remain your business. Social media should be fun, not a place where you second-guess every like.
Conclusion
With this upcoming update, Instagram is giving users the power to scroll freely and engage with content without worrying about their digital footprints being exposed. You’ll no longer have to second-guess every like, wondering who might see it. Whether it’s a funny video, a relatable meme, or an emotional Reel, your interactions can now stay private—just the way you want them. So sit back, double-tap with confidence, and enjoy a more personalized, stress-free experience where you’re fully in control of your visibility.
