Instagram Testing New Feature to Share Feed Posts with ‘Close Friends’ Group
Instagram users have been complaining about the impersonal nature of the social network for some time, due in large part to its algorithmic feed. The company has been trying to open more avenues for users to share content with their friends. To that end, Instagram is now testing a feature that lets users share feed posts with only their “Close Friends” group.
In recent days, many users, including Lia Haberman from the ICYMI newsletter – have detected this feature.
The company confirmed to TechCrunch that it is testing this feature in some countries, but did not specify which ones.
“We are testing the ability for people in select countries to share posts with their close friends. We are always exploring new ways for our community to express themselves and connect on Instagram,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.
Reducing the Need for ‘Finsta’ accounts
If sharing news posts with friends becomes widely available, it can potentially reduce the need for users to have a “finsta” account (also known as an alternate friends-only account).
Instagram’s Previous Features Aimed at Close Friends
In 2018, Instagram globally launched a function to share Stories with a private ‘close friends’ list. The following year, the company tried to cash in on the idea of group chatting with Instagram’s “close friends” circle through an application called Threads. However, Threads closed in 2021 to focus on a better direct message experience.
Instagram’s Recent Updates and Features
Last December, Instagram launched Notes, a way to share text updates with friends. In recent months, the company has introduced features like sharing music, translations, and location for notes.
Exploring the Impersonal Nature of Instagram
Instagram, one of the most popular social networking platforms, has been facing criticism from its users regarding its impersonal nature. The algorithmic feed employed by the platform has been a major factor contributing to this perceived lack of personalization. In response to this feedback, Instagram has been actively working on introducing new features and functionalities that allow users to share content more conveniently with their friends.
The Close Friends Group Feature
As part of their efforts to enhance user engagement and interaction, Instagram is currently testing a new feature that enables users to share their feed posts exclusively with a select group of friends referred to as the “Close Friends” group. This feature aims to provide users with more control and customization over who can view their posts, thereby fostering a more intimate and personal sharing experience.
Detection of the New Feature
Users, including Lia Haberman from the ICYMI newsletter, have recently discovered this new feature on Instagram. The detection of this feature suggests that Instagram is actively testing it among a subset of users to gauge its effectiveness and gather user feedback before potentially rolling it out globally.
Testing and Expanding Accessibility
Instagram has informed TechCrunch that the Close Friends group feature is currently being tested in select countries. However, the company has not disclosed the specific countries involved in this testing phase. This testing phase allows Instagram to gather valuable user insights, evaluate the feature’s performance, and make any necessary improvements before a global rollout.
In a statement, a spokesperson from Meta, the parent company of Instagram, said, “We are testing the ability for people in select countries to share posts with their close friends. We are always exploring new ways for our community to express themselves and connect on Instagram.”
Reducing the Need for ‘Finsta’ Accounts
One potential benefit of this new feature is the reduction in the need for users to maintain separate “finsta” accounts. A “finsta” account, short for “fake Instagram,” is an alternate account primarily created for close friends where users can share content more privately. With the Close Friends group feature, users can enjoy a similar close-knit sharing experience without the need to manage multiple accounts.
Building on Previous Close Friends Features
The Close Friends group feature is not the first attempt by Instagram to cater to users’ desire for more intimate sharing experiences. In 2018, Instagram introduced the option to share Stories exclusively with a private “close friends” list, allowing users to control who can view their Stories. The following year, the company launched Threads, an application that aimed to facilitate group chatting among Instagram’s “close friends” circle. However, Threads was eventually shut down in 2021 to focus on enhancing the direct message experience on Instagram.
Recent Updates and Features
Instagram has been actively introducing new features and functionalities to enhance user engagement and diversify content sharing options. In December of last year, the platform launched Notes, enabling users to share text updates with their friends. Additionally, Instagram has recently introduced features such as sharing music, translations, and location for notes, further expanding the range of content that users can share with their friends.
Summary
Instagram is currently testing a new feature that allows users to share their feed posts exclusively with their “Close Friends” group. This feature aims to address the criticisms of the platform’s impersonal nature and provide users with a more personalized and intimate sharing experience. The feature was discovered by users, indicating that Instagram is actively testing it among a subset of users to evaluate its effectiveness. While Instagram has not disclosed the specific countries where the feature is being tested, it has expressed its commitment to exploring new ways for users to express themselves and connect on the platform.
This new feature has the potential to reduce the need for users to maintain separate “finsta” accounts, as it offers a similar close-knit sharing experience within the regular Instagram account. Instagram has previously introduced features aimed at enhancing close friends’ experiences, such as the ability to share Stories exclusively with a private list and the launch of the Threads application. In recent months, Instagram has continued to diversify its content sharing options, introducing features like sharing text updates, music, translations, and location for notes.
Overall, Instagram’s testing of the Close Friends group feature reflects the platform’s ongoing efforts to address user feedback and provide more meaningful and personal connections among its users.
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Instagram users have been complaining about the impersonal nature of the social network for some time, due in large part to its algorithmic feed. The company has been trying to open more avenues for users to share content with your friends. To that end, Instagram is now testing a feature that lets you share feed posts with only your “Close Friends” group.
In recent days, many users, including Lia Haberman from the ICYMI newsletter – I have detected this feature.
The company confirmed to TechCrunch that it is testing this feature in some countries, but did not specify which ones.
“We are testing the ability for people in select countries to share posts with their close friends. We are always exploring new ways for our community to express themselves and connect on Instagram,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.
If sharing news posts with friends is widely available, it can reduce the need for users to have a “finsta” account (also known as an alternate friends-only account).
In 2018, the social network globally launched a function to share Stories with a private ‘close friends’ list. The following year, the company tried to cash in on the idea of group chatting with Instagram’s “close friends” circle through a application called Threads (No no the social network launched in July). However, the group chat app Threads closed in 2021 to focus on a better direct message experience.
Last December, Instagram launched Notes, a way to share text updates with friends. In recent months, the company has introduced features like share music, translationand share location for notes.
Instagram is testing a feature to let you share feed posts just with ‘Close Friends’
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