X removed public like counts' visibility in some views, but you can still see likes on a post by tapping the analytics icon below a tweet, or checking the likes tab on the post itself. You cannot see who liked a specific post unless you're the account owner viewing your own analytics or engagement list.
What this guide covers
I get asked this a lot: how do you see likes on a post on X (formerly Twitter). It sounds simple, but X has changed how engagement data is shown over the past couple of years, so it's worth being clear about what's possible in 2026.
This guide covers how to check the number of likes on a post, how to see who liked it, and what to do if that information isn't showing up for you.
Checking the like count on a post
Every post on X shows a like count underneath it, next to the heart icon. This is the most basic way to see likes.
If you're scrolling through your timeline and want to check the number, just look below the post. You'll see icons for replies, reposts, likes, and views, each with a number next to it.
Sometimes that number doesn't appear straight away on mobile, especially if your connection is slow. Give the app a second to load before assuming the data is missing.
Step by step: viewing likes on a post
Here's the process I use when I want to check likes on any post, mine or someone else's.
- Open the X app or go to x.com in your browser.
- Find the post you want to check, either in your timeline, on a profile, or via search.
- Look below the post text for the row of icons (reply, repost, like, view).
- The number next to the heart icon is the total like count.
- Tap that number if you want to see the list of accounts who liked it.
That last step only works if the account has public likes visible and the list hasn't been hidden by the user's privacy settings.
Seeing who liked a post
Tapping the like count usually opens a list of accounts who liked that post. This works for public posts from accounts that haven't restricted this view.
If the account is private, you'll only see this list if you follow them and they've accepted your follow request. Without that, X won't show you anything beyond the number.
There are also posts where the like list simply doesn't load, even when the count is visible. This isn't something you can fix on your end. It's usually down to how X is serving that data at that moment, or a setting on the poster's account.
Checking likes on your own posts
If you want a fuller picture of who's engaging with your content, go to your own profile and open the post in question.
From there, tap the analytics icon (it looks like a small bar chart, usually below the post alongside the other engagement icons). This gives you a breakdown including likes, but also impressions, engagements, and profile visits.
This analytics view is only available for your own posts. You cannot pull this same level of detail for someone else's content, no matter how you search for it.
Why you might not see likes at all
There are a few reasons the like count or like list might not show up when you expect it to.
First, the account might have limited who can see their likes through their privacy settings. Second, X occasionally rolls out changes to how engagement numbers are displayed, and not every account sees the same version at the same time. Third, slow loading or app bugs can cause numbers to disappear temporarily.
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If you've tried refreshing the app, checking on both mobile and desktop, and the information still isn't there, it's likely a setting on the other account rather than a fault on your end.
What you cannot do
I want to be straightforward about the limits here. You cannot see a complete history of everyone who has ever liked a post if that list has since changed, because X only shows current likes, not a timestamped log of past activity.
You also cannot see likes on a post that's been deleted. Once a post is removed, all engagement data linked to it, including likes, disappears with it.
And you cannot view someone else's private account's like activity unless you're an approved follower. There's no workaround for this within X's own tools, and I wouldn't trust any third party tool or browser extension that claims otherwise.
A quick note on third party tools
You'll find apps and websites claiming to show hidden like data or let you track likes anonymously. I'd avoid these.
Most either don't work as advertised or ask for your X login details, which puts your account at risk. The safest way to check likes on a post is still through the official X app or website, using the steps above.
If the information isn't available through those normal channels, it's not available at all, and no outside tool is going to change that.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see who liked a post if the account is private?
Only if you follow that account and they've accepted your request. Without that, X won't show you the list of people who liked their posts, only the public like count if it's visible.
Why can't I see the like count on some posts?
This usually comes down to the account's privacy settings, a temporary loading issue, or X testing different display options. Try refreshing or checking on another device before assuming it's broken.
Can I see likes on a deleted post?
No. Once a post is deleted, all its engagement data, including likes, replies, and views, is removed along with it. There's no way to recover this information afterwards.
Is there a way to see detailed like data on someone else's post?
No. The analytics view showing deeper engagement details only works for your own posts. For other accounts, you're limited to the public like count and, where visible, the list of accounts who liked it.
More X and Twitter fixes: the X help guide.
