Instagram is testing a new feature that allows users to limit access to their posts to a select group of close friends, in a move to bolster privacy.
Focusing on privacy is crucial as it helps reassure people that apps owned by Meta are secure, this shift in focus has compelled Instagram, and its parent company Meta, to realign their priorities.
This has led to Instagram introducing numerous new features with a strong emphasis on privacy, users have long complained about the platform’s lack of personalization, mainly due to the algorithmic feed.
Coming to Instagram 🔥 Close Friends feed post. It’s been spotted by someone posting in the UK
This would be one way to get people off Stories and out of DMs — create a Close Friends feed experience
h/t @jordLS pic.twitter.com/BBp0uDpJnF
— Lia Haberman (@liahaberman) September 4, 2023
The new feature operates similarly to how Instagram’s Close Friends option works for Instagram Stories, it takes into account all things and considerations, and users can find it in the dropdown menu for choosing their audience, the platform may introduce more privacy options in this mix.
The feature aims to provide users with more control over who can view their posts, if sharing summarized posts with a close circle becomes widely available, it could reduce the need for users to maintain separate private accounts for close friends.
The company has confirmed that it is testing this feature in a few select countries but has not specified which ones, Instagram stated, “We are testing the ability for people in specific countries to share summarized posts with their close friends, we are always exploring new ways for our community to express themselves and connect on Instagram.”
This is the first time the platform is bringing the Close Friends option to the main feed, it was previously used for Stories and, most users are likely to appreciate this enhanced level of privacy in their daily use of the platform.
In 2018, the social network introduced the feature to share Stories with a curated list of close friends, the following year, the company attempted to delve into the concept of group chatting with Close Friends on Instagram through an app called Threads, however, it shut down Threads in 2021 to refocus on an improved direct messaging experience.
In December of the previous year, the platform launched Notes, a way to share text updates with friends, over the past few months, Notes has seen feature additions, such as location sharing and translation, to enhance the user experience.
Privacy has become increasingly important in this era, with most users preferring to create isolated online communities rather than seeking mass appeal.
