Instagram decided to shake things up and give their users something they didn’t know they needed. On November 13, without warning, the platform granted all users access to post reels and feed photos to their Close Friends. The Close Friends feature has been available to users via Instagram Stories since 2018 and extended to the notes feature in December 2022. If you’re new to the Close Friends hype, it’s a curated list of accounts — hand-picked by you — that can view all the posts you share. It’s essentially finsta without the hassle.
Expanding the Close Friends feature is exciting for users across the board, including rapper Lil Yachty. In celebration of the new feature, Lil Yachty added all 11 million followers to his Close Friends list. Fans across the internet (including me) needed clarification if they were the chosen ones added to his list or if it was just a spoof. His ongoing celebration became such a topic of conversation that he was trending on X, formally known as Twitter.
Now, you may be wondering how to share reels or feed posts to your Close Friends. Allow me to break down the steps. According to Instagram, you first have to make sure the app on your phone is up to date. Once that’s all set, go into the Instagram app and tap the plus symbol on the bottom or swipe anywhere in the feed. You’ll then want to choose either “Post” or “Reel” at the bottom of the screen. Once you’ve decided what to post, tap “Audience,” select your Close Friends list, and then select “Done.” Tap share in the top right corner to post to your feed.
Besties, it’s crucial to note if someone on your Close Friends list likes, comments on, or shares your reel, others on your Close Friends list will be able to see. Let this be a warning: things can get messy quickly!
Maybe this new era of Instagram will bring back the nostalgia of “old Instagram” when people were more carefree with their posts. It may even encourage more celebs and brands to follow Lil Yachty’s steps and add everyone to their Close Friends list to create a stronger fanbase community. Personally, I’ll be paying close attention to the green circles and stars on my feed. Happy Close Friends posting, Besties!