Instagram expands Close Friends feature to include posts and Reels

Instagram has announced the expansion of its popular Close Friends sharing feature to now include posts and Reels on the main Instagram feed.

The Close Friends feature, which allows users to selectively share their Instagram Stories and Notes with a small circle of trusted friends rather than their entire follower list, will enable private sharing of photos, videos and Reels.

Announcing the move, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the expanded Close Friends option gives users more control over their Instagram experience. When sharing a post or Reel only visible to Close Friends, other members of the list will be able to like and comment on the content without it being publicly visible.

To share a post or Reel privately with Close Friends, users simply need to select the "Audience" option before sharing and choosing their Close Friends list. A green star icon will indicate when content is only visible to that group.

The rollout of Close Friends to the Instagram feed and Reels comes at a time when user demand for more privacy controls on social platforms is rising. It could also open up potential new monetization opportunities for creators wishing to share exclusive content with paying subscribers.

Instagram says the expansion of Close Friends continues its goal of helping people feel comfortable being their authentic selves on the platform.