Whether an individual can discern if their Instagram Highlights have been viewed by a specific user is a common query. The Instagram platform’s functionality dictates that view counts are visible, but the identities of those who viewed the Highlights are generally not revealed to the content creator under typical circumstances. A content creator can see how many people have viewed each individual story within a Highlight, but the names of specific viewers are only visible within the first 48 hours after the story was initially posted as a regular story. After that initial period, only the total view count is accessible.
This feature design balances user privacy with the desire to gauge audience engagement. Knowing the number of views allows content creators to understand the popularity of their Highlights and potentially tailor future content accordingly. However, the limited visibility of individual viewers helps protect the privacy of those browsing the platform. This approach differs from some other social media platforms where individual view data is more readily available.