Instagram is testing a new feature that displays like counts on individual images or videos within a carousel post.
Traditionally, engagement metrics such as likes and comments have applied to the entire carousel as a single unit. This update would break that structure, showing how many likes each frame in a multi-image post receives.
The change is aimed at giving creators and brands deeper insight into which pieces of content perform best within a single upload. For example, if a carousel contains five images and one receives significantly more likes than the others, that data could guide future creative decisions.
Meta confirmed the test and is currently experimenting with how the feature appears visually. In some cases, like counts are visible through a tap or swipe gesture on the individual frame, while in others, small like counters appear in the bottom corner of each image. The test is not yet widely available and is being trialed with a limited group of users.
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This update could benefit advertisers and influencers who use carousels to showcase multiple products or angles, allowing them to measure performance more granularly. For everyday users, the feature may introduce new social dynamics, where individual photos in a post are compared against one another based on public reaction.
The platform has experimented with various changes to like visibility in recent years, including hiding like counts entirely. This current test moves in the opposite direction—enhancing visibility rather than reducing it.
If rolled out broadly, the feature may influence how users curate carousel posts, encouraging them to lead with stronger visuals or arrange content to maximize individual engagement.
