How to See What Someone Likes on Instagram When You’re Dating Online

Why You Should See What Someone Likes on Instagram Before Dating

Modern dating is extremely different from ten, twenty, or even fifty years ago. What used to be all about the first impression and striking up a conversation has shifted into the online dating realm. That makes it challenging for anyone to truly get a sense of the person they’re asking out for coffee or to take to a movie. 

All that confusion is why so many people want to see what someone likes on Instagram. About 30% of the U.S. population uses online dating and is likely interested in recent likes Instagram activity. A good way to tell if that potential swipe right is a match is to see what types of images, videos, and Reels a potential partner likes. The trick is knowing what to look for and how to get the info you need before getting ghosted again. 

Why Instagram Likes Matter in Online Dating

Anytime you’re considering a new date, you want to know as much about the person as possible. Spending all the time to get ready and money on an agreed restaurant isn’t fun when you find out they hate your favorite hobbies, have different political leanings, or look nothing like their profile pic. 

Using an Instagram likes viewer matters because it gives you subtle hints at similar areas of interest. Maybe they like travel Reels or gaming clips that align with your personality and preferences. Likes often signal lifestyle compatibility better than conversation. 

Plenty of likes are tied to meme styles that reveal personality or values and beliefs around non-profit groups, activism, or social issues. You’re in the market for a date, so shared values are essential. 

Can You See Someone’s Likes on Instagram Directly?

Manual Ways to Check Instagram Activity and Followers

Now to the brass tacks. Can you learn how to see someone’s likes on Instagram easily? The quick answer is no. Instagram ditched the “Following Activity” feed a long time ago. That used to provide real-time updates on what any other account liked or followed. 

Currently, there is no built-in feature that lets you scroll through someone’s Instagram likes. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck checking in on a new blind date. There are several free methods to see what someone likes on Instagram, as long as you’re willing to put in the work. 

Method 1: Check Public Post Likes

Look at any Instagram accounts of influencers, meme pages, fitness gurus, or travel bloggers and scroll through the recent posts. You can see who liked the content and check whether your date’s username is on that list. 

This method takes a long time because you have to scroll through hundreds, if not thousands, of likes, so it works best with smaller creators or niche influencers. 

Method 2: Investigate Mutual Followers

Someone you’re dating has friends, family, coworkers, and online communities they are part of. Start exploring mutual friends, shared hobby accounts, and community pages. Look for comments posted by that account and their close friends or family. That will give you insight into the kinds of people they hang out with. You can tell a lot about someone by the company they keep. 

Method 3: Analyze Followers List

While you won’t see recent likes Instagram activity directly, you can look for signals in the follow list. What and who people follow, and which Instagram accounts they engage with most, tell you something. 

Let’s say you’re dating a person who claims to be a straight-edge without a past. If they’re following a ton of heavy partying accounts and engage with photos of half-naked friends, asking them out when they know there’s a potential relationship elsewhere, it might be a red flag. 

Dating Red Flags Hidden in Instagram Likes

Spotting Red Flags in Recent Likes Instagram Activity

Speaking of red flags, learning to see what someone likes on Instagram when you’re dating has a lot to do with uncovering authentic behavior. You want more than a list of accounts they follow. You want to know how to interpret what you find. 

Some good red flags to be on the lookout for might include: 

  • Excessive flirting or following a ton of thirst trap accounts
  • Contradictory lifestyle likes or followers 
  • Engagement with toxic or aggressive accounts that don’t match your values
  • Liking posts or Reels from accounts that insult, harass, bully, or troll others
  • Constant engagement with an existing or previous relationship (romantic captions, couple photos, etc.)

It might feel unethical to use an Instagram likes viewer, but the reality is, you cannot be too careful. You don’t want to catch feels for a potential dinner date only to learn two months later they have a partner and kids in a different town and you’re the side piece. 

It’s perfectly natural to be curious, and you’re not breaking any privacy laws or regulations by exploring what is available online publicly. Instagram is a massive social media platform. The fact that you can use it to experience a safer, happier dating life is simply a tool that ensures you don’t end up single on Valentine’s Day. 

The Easiest Method: A Professional Instagram Likes Viewer

Snoopreport: The Easiest Instagram Likes Viewer for Social Insights

For anyone looking into a potential, current, or recent partner who doesn’t have hours upon hours to scroll through Instagram, there is another solution. Snoopreport cuts through the confusion by providing a comprehensive, easy-to-read report on any public Instagram account. 

There are no hefty monthly fees. All you do is sign up and get started for $0.99/week. You pick the Instagram accounts of your lover and then get weekly or monthly reports on everything from what they like, who they follow, and AI summaries about interests and potential behaviors. 

Not only is Snoopreport great for confirming relationship status or weeding out red flags, but it also offers you a powerful way to spice up the relationship. You’ll learn about that person’s interests and hobbies so you can plan appropriate dates and find new ways to engage them on common ground. That’s a win-win for everyone. 

Social Insight Without Overstepping

Dating apps and DMs from friends about your potential partner only show you carefully curated snapshots of who that special someone might be. When you learn how to see what someone likes on Instagram, you get a better idea of that person’s behavior. 

While the free methods work, they take a really long time and require you to document everything you search for carefully. An Instagram likes viewer, such as Snoopreport, puts the power back in your dating life. AI-powered, automated tools will give you insight into someone’s lifestyle, humor, values, and emotional signals that a simple bio rarely reveals. 

Sign up today and finally scratch that mental itch that the partnership you want is authentic and ready to move forward. 

FAQs

Can you see an Instagram account’s likes if you don’t follow them? 

Yes, but only when you’re exploring public posts. Any activity on a private account will be private. 

Is using an Instagram likes viewer legal? 

As long as it analyzes publicly available data, there is no legal barrier you’re pushing or privacy laws you’re breaking. 

Does seeing what someone likes on Instagram reflect dating compatibility? 

Seeing that information provides you with details you might not get otherwise, helping you build a more authentic relationship, even if just conversation starters. 

Author:

Andrea McKinney is a social media strategist and content marketing consultant with over eight years of experience helping small businesses and creators grow their online presence. She has contributed to software-as-a-service (SaaS) startup campaigns and regularly speaks at digital marketing conferences. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the art scene and experimenting with new social media equipment.