Instagram Launched New Feature: Share Feed Posts With Close Friends
Is Instagram becoming casual again? A new feature lets users share posts privately and connect more personally with close friends.
This past week, the platform officially launched the ability to share feed posts and reels exclusively with people on your Close Friends list, just like you can now on stories and notes.
However, back in September, Instagram originally teased the feature with selected users.
Those with an existing Close Friends list will also see a fun, in-app Easter egg when opening Instagram today: the + button will transform into the Close Friends green star icon.
It’s since added Notes and Reels into the content mix, providing another enclosed group engagement option. Apparently, not all users have had the capacity to share these with their private groups, according to Social Media Today.
“We know our community already uses Close Friends as a pressure-free space to connect with the people that matter most. We hope this opens up more ways to be your most authentic self on Instagram while having more choices over who sees your content,” Instagram stated.
“Close Friends” first made its appearance back in 2018 for stories, giving their users the option to create a list of up to 100 people in order to create a more personal feel.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri explained the feature last year. “Friends now post a lot more to stories, and send a lot more DMs, than they post to Feed.”
Instagram pushing Close Friends as people’s behaviour on social media in general has changed. More prefer to share posts on IG to friends in DM instead of engaging on the posts or just post IG Stories as replies are private. They’re trying to encourage people to post on feed now… pic.twitter.com/jct47rOTsm
— Aysha Ridzuan (@ayshardzn) November 15, 2023
It’s the latest in Instagram’s evolving efforts to lean into more enclosed, intimate group sharing, as more people shy away from public posting in the app.
For digital creators and artists, the Close Friends feature opens another potential revenue stream — while some already use third-party apps to sell subscriptions to their Close Friends stories. Now, creators have the potential to monetize exclusive Instagram content beyond their ephemeral Close Friends story.
People online are loving this new feature.
You can post main pictures just for close friends now. I might just get on instagram more
— Maaminextdoor (@Maaminextoor) November 14, 2023
Damn now you can do an instagram post for close friends like circles. I'm gonna be unbearable and unhinged now with the content I'll be posting there
— ' (@Udaariaannn_) November 16, 2023
Recently, Lil Yachty gave his followers a peek into the world of his Close Friends for a limited time – and gave inspiration on how to use Close Friends to express themselves and have fun on Instagram. You can watch the stories here.
