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.

SEE ALSO:Instagram's Close Friends feature is essential for my mental health

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.

Mashable Light SpeedWant more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Thanks for signing up!

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.

---

Related Stories

---

• Why strangers are adding you to their Instagram Close Friends and Twitter Circles
• Close Friends isn't as close as you may think
• How to unsend messages on Instagram
• Sorry, you're never going to get a clickable link in your Instagram grid posts
• Instagram users in Europe will get chronological feed for Stories and Reels

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".

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.

TopicsInstagramSocial Media