Instagram users have been complaining for a while about the impersonal nature of the social network due in large part to its algorithmic feed. The company is trying to launch more ways for users to share content with their friends. To that end, Instagram is now testing a feature that lets you share feed posts to only your “close friends” group.
In the past few days, many users – incl Leah Haberman of ICYMI Newsletter – Spotted this feature.
The company confirmed to TechCrunch that it is testing this feature in a small number of countries, but did not specify those countries.
“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,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.
If sharing feed posts with friends becomes more widely available, it could reduce the need for users to have a “finsta” account (aka a friends-only alternative account).
In 2018, the social network globally launched a feature to share stories with a private list of “close friends.” The following year, the company tried to indulge in the idea of group chatting with Instagram’s circle of “close friends” with an app called Threads (no, not the social network that launched in July). However, the group chat app Threads was shut down in 2021 to focus on a better direct messaging experience.
Last December, Instagram launched Notes, a way to share text updates with friends. Over the past few months, the company has introduced features like music sharing and subtitles Share location For notes.