In December 2018, Instagram rolled out its ‘Close Friends’ feature, making it easier than ever to share special moments with the people you care about the most. This feature is an invaluable tool to share life updates with the people that you trust and can offer a level of privacy and intimacy that other social media applications cannot match. Through this article, we’ll explore how to use Instagram’s ‘Close Friends’ feature effectively and make sure that the most important people in your life get the best of your Instagram experience.
1. What is Instagram’s “Close Friends” Feature?
Instagram’s “Close Friends” feature lets you share stories with only a select group of people who you consider closest. When you have this list of “close friends”, Instagram creates a close friends list of stories, which only your “close friends” will be able to view.
The feature is easy to use. To get started, open the Instagram app and select your profile. Then, tap the “spy glass” icon near the upper right corner of the app and select “close friends”. You can then add people to your close friends list by tapping the “add” icon under each person’s profile picture.
Once your close friends list is created, any story you post can be labeled as “for close friends only”. Any story posted with this label will only be visible to the people on your close friends list. This way, you can share your more intimate stories with select people without worrying about anyone else seeing them.
- Benefits:
- Share stories with select group
- Maintain privacy of stories
- Create a ‘safe’ space for closer friends
- Usage:
- Go to profile
- Select the ‘spy glass’ icon
- Choose ‘close friends’ option
- Add people to the close friends list
- Label stories as ‘for close friends only’
2. Advantages of the Close Friends Feature
The Close Friends feature of Facebook allows users to share content with a group of selected friends. This way, users can keep their more personal posts away from their entire network of friends. Here are some of the advantages of this Facebook feature.
No Obligation – With the Close Friends feature, there is no obligation to change settings for each post. Each post can be targeted to specific groups of friends or left open for your whole network with just one click.
Customize with ease – There is no need to spend time selecting friends for each post. A user can simply create a Close Friends list with their most trusted friends or contacts and share their content with the list in just one click.
Privacy – On Facebook, many users prefer to share content only with their closest family members and friends. With the Close Friends feature, users can easily share only the content they want with whom they want – helping to ensure their privacy.
- No need to change settings for each post
- Easily create and customize a Close Friends list
- Share content only with your closest contacts
3. Steps to Creating and Editing a Close Friends List
Managing your close friends list is easy and the following steps should help you successfully create and modify the group:
Creating a Close Friends List
- Open the ‘Friends’ tab on your profile.
- Click the ‘Close Friends’ option.
- Choose the friends to add to the list by typing their name in the search field.
- Click on the name of the person you want to add, and they will then be added to the Close Friends list.
Editing your Close Friends List
- Go to the Close Friends tab on your profile.
- To remove a friend, simply click on the ‘Unfriend’ button next to their name.
- To add a friend, click on the ‘Add a Friend’ button, type their name and click on their profile. They will immediately be added to the Close Friends list.
- You can also rearrange the order of your Close Friends list by dragging and dropping the names in the order you prefer.
Tips
- A Close Friends list can contain up to 5000 friends.
- You will receive notifications when the people in your list post new content.
- You can also limit the number of notifications you receive from your Close Friends list.
- You can share content exclusively with your Close Friends list.
4. Strategies for Using the Close Friends Feature Effectively
The close friends feature can be a powerful tool to share content with the people you want to. Here are some strategies to use the feature most effectively.
- Create Your Close Friends List Wisely: Pick the people you want to share content with only after careful consideration. While there is a limit of up to 200 people, being thoughtful about who you add to the list will help keep it curated and relevant.
- Think Strategically About Content: Close friends allows you to share more personal content, so think carefully about what to post. Whether it is a special announcement or memories from a vacation, make sure that it is relevant and engaging to your close friends.
- Engage and Interact: As your posts reach your close friends, don’t forget to engage with them and interact. Make sure to respond to any comments and questions – this will show that you care and are genuinely interested in the conversation.
By taking the time to use the close friends feature thoughtfully and wisely, you can create an engaged and personalized space on your profile to interact with your closest friends and family.
5. Keys to Effective Communication with your Close Friends
Effective communication is key to any healthy relationship. When it comes to close friends, keeping the lines of communication open is even more important. Here are some tips for improving communication with your close friends:
- Listen: Listening is more than just hearing what someone has to say—it’s about being aware, understanding, and validating your friend’s feelings. Pay attention to what your friend is saying, and be sure to ask further questions if the need arises.
- Be Open and Honest: It can be difficult to be vulnerable and open with your friends but it is essential. Speak your truth without judging or blaming, and make sure to clearly articulate your needs and boundaries.
- Be Respectful: Respect your friend’s opinions and decisions even if they differ from your own. Always be open to compromise and show that you value and respect their opinion, without trying to push your own beliefs onto them.
Creating a safe space for open communication is the key to a thriving friendship. Make sure to give your friend the attention and respect he or she deserves, and be aware of the impact of your words. Speak the truth with kindness, and be sure to listen carefully, and your relationships will be richer for it.
Overall, Instagram’s ‘Close Friends’ feature is a useful and private way to share special moments with the people that mean the most to you. With just a few simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to using this feature in the most effective way possible. Whether you’re looking to share a ridiculous story with your family or intimate photos with your closest friends, Instagram’s ‘Close Friends’ feature is a great way to keep your memories private, yet shareable.
