Instagram users are horrified by new feature that allows your friends to see which posts you've liked - thankfully there's a simple way to opt out

You might want to start being more careful about what you like on Instagram.

Meta's social media app is introducing a new feature that may reveal your most embarrassing thoughts and desires. 

The update, already available in the US and now rolling out globally, lets your friends see video posts that you have liked in a dedicated tab.

However, the new feature hasn't gone down well. 

Some disgruntled users are calling it 'invasive' and 'diabolical' because it can potentially reveal your somewhat questionable preferences. 

One user said on X (formerly Twitter): 'Instagram reels having a tab that shows what your friends have liked is so awful.' 

Another person posted: 'who runs the liked by friends tab on instagram and why do they want me to die.' 

Thankfully, there is a way to opt out – scroll down to find out how. 

Instagram launched in 2010 as a simple photo sharing app, but the latest update from Meta adds yet another element to the user experience. 

For now, it applies solely to Reels – the swipeable gallery of endless short video clips, similar to the ones on TikTok – and not photos. 

When you tap on the Reels icon at the bottom of the app (indicated by the little square with the play arrow inside) you'll see two options at the top.

The first option, 'Reels', shows the clips as normal, but the second option 'Friends', solely shows clips that your friends have liked. 

It also reveals who exactly has liked them – thanks to their profile photo appearing in the bottom left-hand corner. 

What's more, if you tap on their profile photo, you can send them a message, perhaps telling them something about the Reel they liked. 

In turn, your friends can do the same with videos that you have liked – meaning you may inadvertently reveal more about yourself to your friends than you might've wished. 

One X user said she had seen 'a self-help style relationship post' that three of her divorced friends had liked, as well as 'four wedding dress reels' liked by her 'happily single friend' who 'secretly wants a boyfriend'. 

Thankfully, there is a simple way to stop anyone from seeing any Reels you have liked, as well as any comments you have made. 

Visit 'Settings' on Instagram (indicated by the three horizontal lines) and scroll down to the subheading 'Who can see your content'. Next, tap on 'Activity in Friends tab' and then change the setting to 'No one'.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, announced likes appearing on Reels in a video post back in January, but the new Friends tab at the top is only just rolling out globally. 

'We're doing this because we want Instagram to be not just a lean-back experience but a participatory one, a social one, one where you actually explore your interests with your friends,' he said. 

In response, an unimpressed user said: 'At this point I'm thinking they want people to stop using the app?' 

Someone else called the feature 'a little bit invasive', adding: 'I don't want my friends to see everything I like and I don't need to see what they like.'

They continued: 'If anything, imo, this will refrain people from liking posts, making engagement plummet even more.'

Instagram has also announced it is rolling out the ability to repost Reels and photos, similar to the user experience on X. 

If there is a Reel or an Instagram photo that you want to endorse, you can tap a new repost icon (featuring two revolving arrows). 

Your reposts will appear in a new tab on your profile – like your 'own personal highlight reel', according to Instagram. 

Perhaps ironically, X – which is owned by Elon Musk – started hiding user's likes last year to help protect victims of cancel culture. 

The change was implemented to 'allow people to like posts without getting attacked for doing so', according to the billionaire.