How to See Someone’s Likes on Instagram? (4 Methods)

Curious about tracking someone’s Instagram likes? Instagram’s recent privacy overhauls have made this trickier, but not entirely out of reach.

Here’s a breakdown of four practical, tech-focused methods for monitoring Instagram engagement in 2025. Whether you’re conducting digital research, analyzing user behavior for marketing, or simply gathering data, this guide covers actionable steps.

We’ll examine in-app investigation strategies, review credible third-party analytics platforms, explore follower activity monitoring tactics, and look at browser extension utilities. No need for cybersecurity expertise here—these methods are accessible for users with basic technical know-how.

We’ll also clarify how to stay within Instagram’s terms of service, so your account remains in good standing. So let’s get into the most effective, up-to-date methods for tracking engagement on Instagram’s evolving platform.

Does Instagram Notify You When Someone Likes a Post?

Instagram’s notification system prioritizes user privacy above all else. You’ll only get alerts tied directly to your own account- likes, comments, tags, and follows on your posts. Whether or not you follow someone, you’re not going to be notified about what they do on other people’s content.

Previously there was the “Following” tab where you could see all the activity from people you followed—their likes, comments, etc. Instagram axed that feature in 2019, mostly over privacy concerns. Now, notifications are strictly limited to your personal activity.

There’s no legitimate way to track another user’s actions via notifications. If you need insight into someone else’s interactions, you will have to either check their public activity yourself or look into third-party tools (which often comes with their own risks and aren’t officially supported by Instagram).

Method 1: Use Instagram’s Activity Feed 

While Instagram removed the old “Following Activity” tab, it’s still possible to manually check someone’s likes using the native app—if they interact with public content and you follow them.

How To:

1. Open Instagram and navigate to the Search bar.
   
2. Enter the username of the person whose likes you want to see.
   
3. Visit their Profile and tap “Following” to view who they follow.
   
4. Now go back to your Home feed or explore Popular accounts they follow.
   
5. Tap on a recent post from any of these public accounts.
   
6. In the likes section, look for their username in the “Liked by” area. You may need to tap on “others” to expand the list.
   
7. Repeat this process across multiple posts to spot patterns.
   

This method is time-consuming but free. It works best when the person follows influencers or pages with moderate engagement where spotting usernames is easier. This is a manual way but still effective if you consistently track posts from the same accounts.

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Method 2: Check Likes Through Mutual Posts and Comments 

Another reliable way to track someone’s Instagram likes is by monitoring mutual posts and comment interactions. If you and the target user follow similar accounts—especially public ones—you can often spot their likes and comments under posts from those accounts.

How To:

1. Open Instagram and go to the Explore tab or visit a public account that both of you follow.
   
2. Scroll through recent posts on that account.
   
3. Tap the post to open it and then click on “others” under the likes count to see a full list of users who liked it.
   
4. Manually search the person’s username in the list.
   
5. Repeat this for several posts to identify a pattern of liked content.
   
6. Additionally, scroll through the comments on those posts—many users who like also tend to leave comments.
   
7. If the user has commented, click their name to visit their profile and see more engagement habits.
   

This method works well for accounts that frequently post trending or viral content. While not fully automated, it’s 100% compliant with Instagram policies and helps you gather insights without any third-party apps or tools.

Method 3: Monitor Their Engagement Through Shared Accounts 

If you have access to a shared account (like a family account or business profile), this method allows you to directly view interactions the person makes while logged in.

How To:

1. Log into the shared Instagram account used by the person you want to monitor.
   
2. Go to the Activity tab or explore feed.
   
3. Scroll through posts and tap on any content from followed accounts.
   
4. Check if the account has liked the post (the like button will be highlighted).
   
5. Visit the “Posts You’ve Liked” section under account settings to review history.
   

To access liked posts:

• Tap the profile icon
  
• Go to Settings > Your Activity > Likes
  

This method only works if you have consensual access to the account. It’s ideal for parents monitoring younger children or for business accounts managed by multiple users.

Since this technique relies on trust and shared credentials, it avoids the risks associated with third-party tools and doesn’t violate Instagram’s privacy terms. It’s accurate, direct, and real-time—perfect for ongoing oversight.

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Method 4: Use Third-Party Instagram Activity Trackers 

If manual checking isn’t ideal, Instagram activity tracking apps are a reliable alternative. These tools compile user interactions such as likes, follows, and comments, providing insights in a centralized dashboard.

Popular Apps That Offer This Feature:

• Snoopreport
  
• mSpy
  
• uMobix
  

How To:

1. Sign up on a platform like Snoopreport.com or another legitimate tracking app.
   
2. Choose a subscription plan, as most offer premium features.
   
3. Add the target Instagram handle you want to monitor.
   
4. Allow the app a few hours to gather data (some need up to 24 hours).
   
5. Open your dashboard to view:
   
   • Posts the user liked
     
   • Time and date of interaction
     
   • Post owners and categories
     

These tools are particularly useful for monitoring public Instagram accounts or accounts with no two-factor authentication. While they do not provide access to private DMs or hidden content, they do offer a summarized view of public engagement.

Make sure to use apps that comply with Instagram’s data usage policies. Free versions are limited, but paid plans unlock advanced features like historical data and downloadable reports.

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FAQs 

Q1: Can I see what someone likes on Instagram if their account is private?  

No. Instagram’s privacy controls are strict- unless you’re approved as a follower, access to a private account’s likes or activity data is restricted. Even with follower status, visibility is limited to shared content only. The platform’s backend does not enable unauthorized data retrieval or external access.

Q2: Is it legal to use third-party Instagram tracking tools?  

It depends. Tools interfacing through Instagram’s official API and not requesting user authentication credentials typically comply with Instagram’s terms. Any application circumventing security protocols or requiring direct password input is in violation and poses significant account security risks, including suspension or permanent bans.

Q3: Why can’t I see the “Following” activity tab anymore?  

Instagram removed the “Following” activity tab in 2019, citing privacy enhancements and UI streamlining as rationale. Currently, user engagement data must be collected manually or via compliant third-party services. Native support for this tracking feature has been fully retired.

Q4: Do Instagram users get notified if I check their likes?  

They do not. Instagram does not generate notifications for users viewing others’ likes or general engagement metrics. Exceptions apply only to stories and reels, where viewer data is logged and accessible. All other browsing behaviors remain untracked and confidential.

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Conclusion 

Instagram has made it a part harder to see who’s enjoying what these days—there’s no basic, built-in way to screen that action any longer. If you require this data for trade purposes, you still have a few alternatives, but none are especially consistent. There are moreover legitimate third-party analytics stages and a few browser expansions out there, but each comes with its own set of risks. If your center is brand checking, influencer campaigns, or keeping tabs for compliance reasons, select your methods carefully. In conclusion, yes, you can still screen Instagram engagement, but you require to be particular and key around how you do it. Utilize as it were straightforward, built up stages and work with what’s freely accessible. That approach keeps your trade over board and builds validity with your audience—no alternate routes, no scrappy workarounds.