Have you ever scrolled back into the archives of someone’s Instagram profile, only to accidentally double tap on and ‘like’ a post?
This is a question that Instagram’s CEO answered this week on his own Instagram – finally giving people the answer to a long-asked question. But was the answer one we wanted to hear? Probably not.
Adam Mosseri explained that if someone has their Instagram connected to phone notifications as well as Instagram notifications, the chances are that they will know you liked their old photo – even if you quickly delete the like. Here’s how…
What Happens When You ‘Like’ an Old Photo?
When you like a photo on Instagram, the profile owner will receive a notification on Instagram and – if they have their phone notifications set to ‘on’ – to their home screen as well.
While Instagram removes its own in-app notification when a photo ‘like’ is retracted, the same cannot be said of the phone notification. In short, Instagram has no control over the phone’s push notification, and so that one stays put.
So, while they may not be able to see your like in Instagram itself, they will be notified via their home screen, if they have those notifications enabled.
Our advice? Whether it’s a new account you’re following or an old friend who you’re checking up on, be super careful as you scroll so you don’t accidentally double tap on any content!
Check back for more news, updates, and social media facts like this, as we share information to help inspire creators who are looking to build their audience and create sustainable engagement across multiple apps.
