Instagram’s new feature to allow users to share feed posts with 'Close Friends' only

• Image Credit: Google

• Sep 7, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Meta-owned Instagram is now testing a feature that enables users to share their feed posts exclusively with their...

Digital Desk: In a bid to enhance user interaction and foster a sense of exclusivity within its platform, Meta-owned Instagram is now testing a feature that enables users to share their feed posts exclusively with their "Close Friends" group. Digital media marketing instructor Lia Haberman brought this new feature to the forefront by posting a screenshot of it on X (formerly Twitter), sparking excitement among Instagram users and industry enthusiasts.

Haberman's tweet included a screenshot showcasing the upcoming feature with the caption, "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."

While the official release date of this feature remains uncertain, TechCrunch reports that Instagram is currently testing it in select countries. The specific countries in which the feature is being trialed have not been disclosed.

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In response to inquiries about the feature, a Meta spokesperson stated, "We’re testing the ability for people in select countries to share feed posts with their Close Friends. We’re always exploring new ways for our community to express themselves and connect on Instagram."

The initial sighting of this feature was credited to mobile developer and leaker Alessandro Paluzzi back in May. Haberman referenced this discovery, saying, "A test of this was spotted in May by @alex193a (Alessandro Paluzzi), but now it’s actually out there for some accounts - do you see Audience in your feed posting options?"

Should this feature be rolled out globally, it has the potential to reduce the necessity for users to maintain alternative accounts solely for their inner circle of friends.

In related news, Instagram is also rumored to be working on extending the length of Reels. According to reports from The Verge, users may soon have the capability to record up to 10 minutes of video content within the Reels feature. Alessandro Paluzzi, known for his mobile app insights, shared this development on X, showcasing screenshots of two side-by-side Reels pages—one allowing three minutes of recording and the other permitting a more extensive 10-minute recording.

"#Instagram is working on the ability to create #Reels up to 10 minutes long," Paluzzi said. This move brings Instagram's video capabilities closer to that of YouTube while still lagging behind short-form video rival TikTok, which offers even longer recording times.

As Instagram continues to evolve and innovate, it's clear that Meta is determined to maintain its platform's relevance by offering new features and expanding its existing capabilities. Users and content creators can look forward to these exciting developments that promise to reshape the Instagram experience in the near future.