Instagram now allows you to restrict access to your feed and highlight reels to your close friends

New Delhi: The popular picture and video-sharing network Instagram, which is owned by Meta, has expanded its Close Friends function so that it now also takes into account posts and Reels. The Close Friends list, which enabled users to share updates with a specified group of friends rather than their whole follower list, was previously only available for sharing Stories.

The enlarged ‘Close Friends’ function operates in a manner that is similar to how users may share Stories and Notes with a small group of individuals. This addition was announced by Mark Zuckerberg on his Instagram broadcast channel.

Significantly, the ‘Close Friends’ function was first offered in 2018 as a method of only sharing one’s experiences with a select number of close friends or family members to safeguard one’s privacy. Users of Instagram now can do the same thing with both their feed posts and Reels. Users are granted the ability to openly share some posts and Reels, even if they would otherwise avoid sharing such content publicly.

Friends just got a little ✨ closer ✨

Now you can share Feed posts and Reels with your Close Friends list, just like you can on Stories and Notes 🫶 pic.twitter.com/I4SPeVBoXq

— Instagram (@instagram) November 14, 2023

Instagram introduces the ability to share feed posts and reels with your Close Friends only.

When sharing a post or reel, you can click on audience and select ‘Close Friends.’ pic.twitter.com/6DlBSiI7I7

— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 14, 2023

Users can restrict their reach to just a type of private community because they may post for only a certain set of individuals. It is possible that this will provide Instagram users with a more private experience, even if their accounts will not be set to the “Private” setting. These particular postings will not be visible to any of the page’s followers or visitors.

Those on your Close Friends list will be aware of it, Instagram has stated. Others on your Close Friends list will be able to see the person’s username and how they engage with your reel if that user likes, comments, or shares it. Your Close Friends list is private and no one else may request to join it.

A green star will appear next to the user’s name while browsing their reels if they have added you to their list.

“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 in a release.

How To Do It?

When you are ready to share a post, you will see an option labelled “Audience.” Select this option to restrict the viewing of a particular post to a select group of people, such as your close friends. After opening the “Audience” section, pick “Close Friends” from the drop-down menu. There is also the option to share it with ‘Everyone,’ although this feature has been available for some time. When you share content in this manner from now on, a green star will show on the post to indicate that it is intended for your close friends.