Ever hesitated before tapping “Like” on a post?
On Twitter (now X), a like isn’t just a quick reaction – it used to be a public signal of your interests, beliefs, humor, and affiliations. For years, anyone could click your profile and scroll through everything you’d liked.
That changed. As of mid-2024, X made likes private by default for all users.
So what does that actually mean? Can people still see what you like? And are there additional steps you should take to protect your privacy?
Let’s break it down.
Are Likes Still Public on Twitter?
No. Since the 2024 update, only you can see the posts you’ve liked. Other users – including your followers – can no longer view your “Likes” tab.
Here’s what that means in practice:
- Only you can see the tweets you’ve liked
- Others cannot browse your liked posts
- Like counts on posts are still visible
- People cannot see who liked a specific post
This change was introduced to reduce harassment, public shaming, and backlash related to visible engagement.
Why People Want to Hide Their Likes
Even though likes are now private by default, privacy concerns haven’t disappeared. Here’s why many users care about hiding likes:
1. Personal Privacy
Your likes reveal your humor, political leanings, interests, and relationships.
2. Professional Reputation
Employers, clients, and colleagues may judge public engagement patterns.
3. Avoiding Backlash
Engaging with controversial content used to invite scrutiny.
4. Reducing Spam
Interacting with promotional accounts sometimes triggered DMs or unwanted outreach.
5. Minimizing Digital Footprint
Less visible activity = fewer signals about your behavior and preferences.
Even though likes are hidden now, understanding your overall privacy settings still matters.
Who Can See Your Likes Now?
As of 2026:
- You can see your likes.
- No one else can browse your liked posts.
- The like count on tweets remains public.
- Your engagement still influences algorithm recommendations.
In short: your likes are private – but they still affect what content you see.
Do You Need to Change a Setting to Hide Likes?
No. Likes are hidden automatically. There is no toggle required.
There is currently no setting to make likes public again, either. The change applies platform-wide.
Additional Privacy Steps You Can Take
Even though likes are private, you might want stronger account-level privacy.
Option 1: Make Your Account Private
When you “Protect your posts”:
- Only approved followers can see your posts
- Your replies are limited to followers
- Your tweets don’t appear in public search
- Your overall activity becomes more restricted
How to Make Your Twitter Account Private
On Mobile:
- Tap your profile picture
- Go to Settings and privacy
- Tap Privacy and safety
- Select Audience and tagging
- Toggle on Protect your posts
On Desktop:
- Click More
- Select Settings and privacy
- Click Privacy and safety
- Choose Audience and tagging
- Enable Protect your posts
Keep in mind: making your account private reduces reach and discoverability.
Option 2: Remove Past Likes Manually
If you want to clean up your history:
- Go to your profile
- Click Likes
- Tap the heart icon again to unlike posts
There is currently no official bulk-delete option within X.
Important: What Likes Still Reveal Indirectly
Even though likes are hidden:
- Algorithms still track your engagement
- Your recommendations reflect your behavior
- Screenshots are always possible
- If you reply publicly, that interaction is visible
Privacy has improved – but engagement signals still shape your digital footprint.
Should Businesses Worry About Likes?
For brands and creators:
Hidden likes actually reduce reputation risk.
However:
- Engagement strategy still matters
- Public replies are still visible
- Quote tweets remain public
If you’re managing a business account, your replies and reposts matter more than likes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone see if I liked their tweet?
No. They will not see your username in the likes list.
Are likes permanently hidden?
As of 2026, yes – platform-wide.
Can I hide like counts on my own posts?
No. Like counts remain public.
Do hidden likes affect engagement?
Yes. They still count toward post performance and algorithm ranking.
Can third-party tools see my likes?
No legitimate tool can access private like data.
Final Thoughts
Twitter’s decision to hide likes marked a major shift toward user privacy. You no longer need to worry about someone browsing your liked posts – that visibility is gone.
If you want even more control, consider protecting your posts or cleaning up old engagement history. In 2026, privacy on X isn’t perfect – but it’s significantly stronger than it used to be.
