Instagram is enhancing its user experience by expanding the ‘Close Friends’ feature, previously exclusive to stories, to now include main feed posts and reels. This update allows users to share their content with a select group of people, creating a more intimate and private sharing environment.
When posting to the main feed or reels, users can easily select their Close Friends list from an “audience” menu. These exclusive posts will be identifiable by a green star icon, maintaining consistency with the green ring used for Close Friends stories. This integration ensures a seamless user experience across different types of content, including stories, reels, feed posts, and notes.
Interaction within this Close Friends circle is also thoughtfully designed. While replies to stories function as direct messages, likes and comments on Close Friends posts or reels will be visible only to others within the same group.
This feature rollout is timely, especially considering X’s recent discontinuation of its similar Circles feature. With the growing trend towards more authentic social media experiences, as seen with the rise of apps like BeReal, Instagram’s expansion of Close Friends aligns perfectly with the current digital landscape.
Instagram’s move reflects an understanding of the evolving user preference for controlled sharing and authenticity on social platforms. “We know our community already uses Close Friends as a pressure-free space to connect with the people that matter most,” Instagram stated. This feature not only caters to user demand for more authentic interactions but also offers greater control over content visibility.
