To sort Instagram posts by likes, views, comments, or date, open a supported grid in desktop Chrome, load the posts you want to compare, and choose the matching metric in Sort Feed. Check the source rows before reporting a result: the ranking covers the posts loaded in that tab, not an account's private analytics history.
This guide covers the steps for a profile or Reels review. The Instagram feed sorter product page covers supported pages, available metrics, and limits.
The workflow is: define the comparison, load a consistent sample, sort, and save the URLs you will verify.
Sort Feed interface example with Likes selected. Choose Views when the open Instagram layout exposes view counts and your question is about reach.
When you should sort Instagram posts by engagement
Sorting helps whenever the default grid order hides performance:
- Competitor audits: find top posts on a brand profile without manual note-taking
- Creator reviews: identify posts worth checking further without treating visible engagement as proof of audience fit
- Content refreshes: identify formats to remake from high-engagement posts
- Reporting: review sorted rows instead of relying on screenshots for stakeholders
If your question is "which loaded posts have the most likes?", sort Instagram posts by likes first. If you need reach, choose views only where Instagram exposes them.
What to have open before sorting
- Desktop Google Chrome
- Sort Feed Chrome extension installed
- An Instagram page with a post grid (profile, reels tab, etc.) logged in if required
Check the supported-page guide if the grid you opened does not show the sort control.
Step-by-step: sort Instagram posts in Chrome
1. Install and pin Sort Feed
Use the Chrome Web Store listing to install from the Chrome Web Store. Pin the extension so it is one click away on instagram.com.
Use the first-sort guide for installation and setup details.
2. Open the Instagram grid to analyze
Examples:
- Creator profile → Posts or Reels
- Brand page you are benchmarking
- Any supported Instagram grid visible in Chrome
Scroll to load enough posts for your sample, and note the page URL and date you checked it. Sort Feed works on loaded, visible tiles.
3. Choose a sort metric
Open Sort Feed and pick the metric that matches your question:
| Question | Sort by |
|---|---|
| Which reels drove reach? | Views (when shown) |
| Which posts earned reactions? | Likes |
| What sparked discussion? | Comments |
| What is newest vs. oldest? | Date |
Apply the sort and review the reordered grid. Top performers should cluster at the beginning of the list.
The screenshot above shows the Likes view. The available choices can differ by page layout and what Instagram displays in the current session.
4. Review winners
- Verify each selected post URL and its visible metric in the source page
- Open shortlisted posts to study the content, caption, and context
Keep a short record of the comparison before passing it to someone else:
| Field to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Profile or grid URL and date checked | Defines the loaded sample |
| Post URL | Gives the reviewer a source to reopen |
| Metric selected and visible count | Explains the ranking |
| Content format and observation | Requires inspecting the post, not just the grid |
| Next action | Connects the shortlist to a content decision |
For a spreadsheet handoff, use the post export instructions.
Instagram app feed vs. analyst-style sorting
The Instagram app and a sorted research grid answer different questions. Sorting asks: "Among the posts loaded on this page, which have the highest visible count for the metric I chose?"
Sort Feed is for that post-level question in Chrome. A high visible count is a lead for further review, not proof of conversion or audience quality. See the outlier score guide for a more careful comparison.
Pair sorting with TikTok and Pinterest research
Many teams compare Instagram Reels with TikTok clips and Pinterest pins:
- TikTok sorter guide for view-led video research
- Pinterest pin sorter for save-led creative research
One Chrome extension covers TikTok and Instagram; Pinterest uses the dedicated Pinterest Sort Extension linked from sortfeed.io.
Make the ranking defensible
- Load enough posts before sorting. Small samples exaggerate outliers.
- Sort instagram by date when recency matters (launches, seasonal campaigns).
- Review after sorting so your notes match the ranking you present; pair with the viral hooks guide when studying openings.
- Stay on desktop Chrome. Mobile browsers are not supported.
Keep comparing platforms
Install from sortfeed.io and start sorting the next profile you research.