How to See Posts Liked by Someone on Instagram: A Deep Dive

Unfortunately, directly viewing a comprehensive list of every post someone has liked on Instagram is no longer possible due to privacy changes implemented by Instagram over the years. The once-available “Following” tab under the “Activity” section, which showed you the likes and follows of those you followed, was removed. So, the short answer is: there’s no magic button or built-in feature to comprehensively track someone’s Instagram likes anymore.

However, fear not, intrepid social media sleuths! While a complete overview is out of reach, we can still employ some clever strategies and indirect methods to glean insights into someone’s Instagram activity. Let’s explore the remaining options.

Understanding Instagram’s Privacy Stance

Before we delve into the workaround, it’s crucial to understand why Instagram made these changes. The primary reason is user privacy. The “Following” tab, while offering juicy insights, was also seen as a potential privacy invasion, allowing for stalking-like behavior and creating unnecessary social pressure. Instagram’s shift toward prioritizing user control over their own data necessitated these changes.

Methods for Indirectly Tracking Likes

While a direct approach is off the table, let’s look at methods that might give you some clues. These are not foolproof, but they can be helpful in specific situations.

1. The Manual Scroll: A Labor of Love (and Time)

This is the most basic, and frankly, tedious method. If you follow both the person you’re interested in and the accounts they frequently interact with, you can scroll through your feed and pay close attention to posts. You might spot a post they liked in your feed, especially if it’s from an account they engage with often. However, this is a highly inefficient and time-consuming strategy.

2. Checking Mutual Friends’ Posts

If you and the person you’re interested in have mutual friends on Instagram, you can check the posts of those mutual friends. Look for posts that they might both have liked. This works best if your mutual friends are active posters and engage frequently with the person you are monitoring.

3. Using Third-Party Apps (Proceed with Caution!)

Many third-party apps claim to offer the ability to see someone’s liked posts on Instagram. Be extremely wary of these apps. Instagram’s terms of service explicitly prohibit unauthorized access to user data. Using such apps could lead to:

• Account compromise: These apps often require your Instagram login credentials, potentially exposing your account to hackers.
• Malware and viruses: Some apps might contain malicious software that can harm your device.
• Privacy violations: The app could collect and share your personal data without your consent.
• Account suspension or ban: Instagram may detect and ban your account for using unauthorized third-party tools.

The risks generally outweigh the potential rewards. Therefore, using third-party apps is strongly discouraged. If you still choose to explore this route, do thorough research, read reviews, and understand the app’s privacy policy before providing any information.

4. Engaging with Their Recent Activity

This isn’t about passively observing, but rather strategically engaging. Comment and like their recent posts. This might prompt them to reciprocate by viewing your profile. From there you can quickly get the posts and content that is most relevant to them. This is a bit of a manipulation, so use this method thoughtfully and only when appropriate.

5. Checking Through Shared DMs

Check shared DMs. If you both follow an account that one of you interacts with, it might be a good way to passively see the other’s activity.

6. Relying on Serendipity

Ultimately, sometimes you’ll just stumble upon something they liked. Maybe a post from a mutual friend will show up in your feed with both of your likes. This is not a strategy, but sometimes it is a solution.

Ethical Considerations

Before you dedicate too much time trying to track someone’s Instagram likes, consider the ethical implications. Ask yourself:

• Why do you want to know this information? Is it out of genuine curiosity, or is there a deeper, potentially problematic reason?
• Would the person be comfortable knowing you’re trying to track their likes?
• Are you respecting their privacy boundaries?

It’s essential to strike a balance between curiosity and respecting someone’s personal space. In most cases, openly communicating with the person is a healthier and more respectful approach than trying to snoop around.

FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of Instagram Likes

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of Instagram’s like tracking landscape:

1. Can I use a website to see someone’s Instagram likes?

Generally no. As explained, there is no legal way to see liked posts without using the account of the person who liked the posts. If the website is claiming this, there is a high probability the site is malicious.

2. Is there a Chrome extension that shows Instagram likes?

Similar to third-party apps, most Chrome extensions claiming to reveal Instagram likes are unreliable and potentially harmful. Exercise extreme caution before installing any such extension.

3. Why did Instagram remove the “Following” tab from the Activity section?

The removal was primarily driven by privacy concerns. The “Following” tab was seen as a tool for potential stalking and creating unwanted social pressure.

4. Can I see likes on a private Instagram account?

No. If an account is private, you can only see their posts, likes, and followers if you are an approved follower of that account.

5. If I follow someone, will I automatically see all their likes?

No. Following someone only means you’ll see their posts in your feed. It doesn’t grant you access to their liked posts.

6. Is it illegal to use third-party apps to track Instagram likes?

While not always explicitly illegal, using such apps often violates Instagram’s terms of service, which could lead to account suspension or a permanent ban. The legality depends on the app’s practices and the data it collects and shares.

7. What’s the best way to find out what someone is interested in on Instagram?

Instead of trying to track their likes, consider engaging with their posts and stories, and initiating conversations. Direct interaction is a more genuine and respectful way to learn about their interests.

8. Can I see my own liked posts on Instagram?

Yes! You can view your own liked posts. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select “Your activity,” and then choose “Likes.”

9. Does Instagram notify users when someone uses a third-party app to track their activity?

Instagram generally doesn’t notify users directly, but they might detect unusual activity patterns and take action against accounts using unauthorized tools.

10. How often does Instagram change its privacy policies?

Instagram’s privacy policies are subject to change. It’s a good idea to review them periodically to stay informed about your data and privacy settings.

11. Are there any legitimate uses for tracking Instagram likes?

For businesses and marketers, tracking likes (on their own posts) can provide insights into audience engagement and content performance. However, tracking the likes of individual users raises significant ethical concerns.

12. If I report a third-party app for violating Instagram’s terms, will Instagram take action?

Yes, Instagram encourages users to report violations of their terms of service. They will investigate reported apps and take appropriate action if necessary.

In Conclusion

While the ability to directly see someone’s Instagram likes is a thing of the past, understanding the reasoning behind these changes and exploring alternative, ethical methods can provide valuable insights. Remember to prioritize privacy and respect boundaries when navigating the world of social media. Focus on genuine interactions and build relationships based on trust and transparency, rather than relying on potentially invasive tracking methods.