Instagram now lets you share Reels and posts with just close friends

Your feed could look significantly different.
By Meera Navlakha  on 
Close friends feature.
Credit: Instagram.

Instagram users can now share Reels and posts exclusively with their Close Friends.

On Tuesday, the Meta-owned social media platform announced a new tool that could make your feed look significantly different: certain posts will appear only for those on your Close Friends list, indicated by the green star icon already associated with the existing feature.

Close Friends has been favored by many Instagram users, who use the feature as a protected space, separate from the inherent pressures of social media. The feature allows users to share Stories and Notes with a select group of people out of a larger following. Notably, Close Friends can see each other's usernames if they like, comment on, or share your post.

Instagram screenshots displaying posts only for close friends.
Credit: Instagram

With the new update, users will have the opportunity to share even more content with this list. It has the potential to resemble or even replicate what "finstas" once offered: a place to post things you didn't want everyone to see on your main feed.

Here's how to do it.

How to share Reels and posts with just Close Friends

Total Time
  • 2-3 minutes
What You Need
  • Instagram app

Step 1: Upload a post or Reel.

Press the + button in the middle of the menu at the bottom of the app. Choose 'Post' or 'Reel', edit whatever you want to share to your liking, then hit 'Next'.

Step 2: Tap "Audience".

Before sharing, click "Audience" (under "Tag people"), then select "Close Friends".

A screenshot of Instagram's screen just before you hit publish, showing the setting for Close Friends.
Credit: Mashable / Instagram

Step 3: Share!

Your post will then be visible to only those on your Close Friends list, noted with a little green star icon at the top right.

Mashable Image
Meera Navlakha
Culture Reporter

Meera is a Culture Reporter at Mashable, joining the UK team in 2021. She writes about digital culture, mental health, big tech, entertainment, and more. Her work has also been published in The New York Times, Vice, Vogue India, and others.


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