Instagram features plenty of options to showcase your content, and “Highlights” is one of them. If you regularly add your IG Stories to Highlights and want to know who’s checking them, this post will help you. Here, I’ll explain how to check who viewed your Instagram Highlights and if it’s possible to find out how many times they opened them.
Instagram Highlights are like Stories but remain on your profile permanently unless you delete them. Meanwhile, Stories last only 24 hours from when you post them. If you like a Story too much and want to keep it on your profile forever, you can add it to your Highlights.
The Highlights appear at the center of attention when someone opens your profile. This makes them a crucial tool to let the audience know the aim and purpose of your account. Ensure you always keep the good stuff there so the viewers hit the Follow button unhesitatingly.
How To See The Views Count Of Instagram Highlights?
Like Instagram Stories, you can also see the number of views on your Instagram Highlights. However, there is a catch. Instagram Stories have a lifetime of 24 hours, and you can see the number of views during that period. Regarding Instagram Highlights, the period to see Views Count is extended to 48 hours.
Even though Highlights stay on your Instagram Profile permanently, you can only check the Views Count for 48 hours from the time you created them. After that, you can’t check how many views the Highlights gained.
Follow these steps to check the number of views your Instagram Highlights got:
- Launch the Instagram app and make sure you’re using the latest version.
- Sign in to your account if you are not already logged in.
- Now tap on your profile icon present on the bottom right section.
- Next, tap on any Highlight on the profile page.
- Check the bottom left section to see the number of people who’ve viewed the Highlight.
That’s it. Remember that you can’t check the Views count for older Highlights. Only the Highlights posted within the last 48 hours can see the views count.
Can You Check Who Viewed Your Instagram Highlights?
Yes, you can check who viewed your Instagram Highlights. Instagram lets users know which of their followers and others have seen the Stories they have added to their Highlights. The feature is available both on the mobile app and the website.
This functionality becomes very useful to keep a check on how your Instagram Highlights are performing or when you have posted a targeted Story. Remember that just like the Views count, you can only see the list of people who have viewed a particular Highlight on your profile only for the first 48 hours.
How To Check Who Viewed Your Instagram Highlights?
Instagram lets you see the list of people who have viewed your Highlights for 48 hours. After that, you can’t check the viewers. Follow these steps to see who viewed your Highlights on Instagram:
- Launch the Instagram app and ensure you are signed in.
- Tap on your profile icon from the bottom right corner.
- On your profile page, tap on any of the Highlights.
- You will see a “Seen by” button in the bottom left section.
- Tap on this “Seen by” button to check the list of viewers.
That’s it. This lets you see all the people who’ve opened your Instagram Highlights. However, if the Highlights are older, there will be no Views count, and you can’t see the viewers either.
How To See Who Viewed Your Instagram Highlights On PC?
Using the website, you can also check the list and number of viewers of your Instagram Highlights on PC. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Instagram website in a browser of your choice.
- Now sign in to your account.
- Next, click on your profile picture present in the upper right section.
- On your profile page, click on any of the Highlights present below the Edit button.
- Finally, click the “Seen by” button in the bottom left section.
After that, you can see the list of all the people who’ve opened and seen that particular Highlight.
How To See Who Viewed Instagram Highlights After 48 Hours?
Once the 48-hour window of a Highlight has passed, Instagram disables the count and list of viewers. You can’t see the number and the people who have viewed the Story. You cannot find the “Seen by” button on older Instagram Highlights.
If you find any tool or an online application claiming to help you find the Viewers list and count for older Instagram Highlights, don’t believe in them. They are trying to scam you and will likely ask you to pay for their subscription. Don’t fall into their trap, and never pay any of them.
Some apps may even ask you to log in using your Instagram credentials. Never do that, as you will end up compromising the security of your account, and it may get stolen.
How Do You View Instagram Highlights Anonymously?
If you’re wondering if it’s possible to see someone’s Instagram Highlights without them knowing, then it’s possible. However, Instagram doesn’t have a built-in feature for that. If you’re viewing Highlights older than 47 hours, Instagram doesn’t tell the owner that you are one of the viewers, as the feature isn’t available.
Unfortunately, there is no way to realize if a certain Highlight is recently posted or older. So, you may get caught if you plan to open Highlights secretly. Fortunately, there are some special workarounds that you may try to view the Stories anonymously.
The first is to create an alternative Instagram account with a random picture from the Web and fake details. Make sure that none of the data available on this profile resembles you. Now use this fake Instagram account to view the Highlights; the owner will not know that you were checking them.
However, if the account you are trying to stalk is private, you may have a tough time because they may not accept the Follow Request of your fake account. In that case, you can ask a mutual friend or follower to open the Highlights and send the screenshots to you.
These are the only foolproof methods to view Instagram Stories and Highlights anonymously. There are also third-party tools available for this purpose online. However, we can’t verify if they are safe enough to use. You should stick to these simple workarounds for the time being.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A: No, it’s impossible to see who viewed your Instagram Highlights after the 48-hour window. Instagram removes the “Seen By” functionality for older Stories in your Highlights. So, you can’t see the number of viewers and the people who viewed them either.
A: If you open and see a Highlight of a public Instagram account, the owner can see that you’ve checked the Story even when you are not friends. However, the Highlights must have been shared recently within the last 48 hours. Or else the owner won’t know.
A: Instagram has never explained why they don’t allow you to see the list and the count of viewers of your Highlights after 48 hours. It’s likely to reduce information storage as the views on older Stories don’t matter much. They are presented as memorable pieces, only telling certain things about the account.
Conversely, the newer Stories added to Highlights must be tracked for their response and performance, especially if you have a Business account. So, Instagram lets you see the list and the viewer’s count.
A: If you don’t want a particular person to view your Instagram Highlight, it’s possible to do that. Follow this path: Settings > Privacy > Story, and add the Instagram User to the “Hide Story From” list. This way, they won’t be able to view your Stories and Highlights.
You can also Block the individual if you don’t want them to view anything you post on Instagram. However, you’ll have to add them once you change your mind.
Final Thoughts:
Now you know the procedure to see who viewed your Instagram Highlights. This way, you can keep a tab on the followers who are opening your Stories frequently and figure out the people who are not active. You can also monitor the response to your Highlights and their performances if you are a Business.
When used wisely, Highlights can do wonders for your Instagram profile. Let us know in the comments if you’d like us to create a full-fledged guide about that. You can also ask your doubts and queries there. We’ll be happy to hear from you.
This is Saquib, a technology and social media expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. With a passion for staying up-to-date on the latest developments and trends in the tech and social media world and as a writer, I have been creating informative and engaging content that is easy for readers to understand and enjoy, also published in several leading tech and social media publications and is a regular speaker at industry events. In addition to my writing and speaking engagements, I also work as a consultant, helping businesses grow with the ever-changing tech and social media niche.
