Like any self-respecting social network, Instagram relies on its users. In other words, to enjoy Instagram, you should follow someone. And, optionally, have someone follow you. That is how social networks are woven. However, it's common to have followers with whom you share similar interests. In other words, you do not like everyone equally.
This matters when it's time to share content on Instagram. While it is common to share everything with everyone, some people prefer to be more selective and share specific videos or photos with a smaller group of contacts. For example, your closest friends. That way, you ensure that your most personal content reaches only those you trust the most.
What is Instagram's Close Friends list and what is it for
The Instagram Close Friends list is designed to choose who can see your content when you share a post, note, reel, or story. You will see the Close Friends list as one of the available options when you post something. This is a relatively short list where you only include those contacts you trust or know personally. On the other hand, your Instagram contact list can have a little bit of everything, from close friends to family members, acquaintances, or accounts you follow because you like their content.
Creating a list of close friends on Instagram
To create a Close Friends list on Instagram:
- Go to Instagram.
- Tap on your profile picture. It is at the bottom right.
- Tap the drop-down menu at the top right.
- Go to Who can see your content.
- Go to Close friends.
- Check the people you want to add to your Close Friends list.
- You can use the search engine to accelerate the process.
- If you make a mistake, you can uncheck the marked contacts.
- When finished, tap Done.
When you add someone to your Close Friends list on Instagram, they won't receive any notifications. On top of this, those on your Close Friends list cannot see who else is on the list. In addition, you can update the list whenever you want, adding or removing people, and no one can ask you to be added to your Close Friends list.
How to know if someone has you in their Close Friends list on Instagram
As we mentioned, there is no official way to know if you are on someone's Close Friends list on Instagram as there is no specific place to consult this information. You may be on several of these lists without knowing it. But as the popular meme goes, “there will be signs.” Specifically, green ones.
Green symbols for close friends on Instagram
First, if someone shares a story with their closest friends, the circle framing the story appears highlighted in green instead of using Instagram's traditional colors. So if you see a green circle in a story, you are on that contact's Close Friends list. That circle also appears around the profile picture.
But there are even more green signals. When you see notes, reels, or stories from someone who added you to their Close Friends list, you will see a green icon with a star inside. Moreover, if someone on said list comments, shares, or likes that content, other list members will see their username and interactions.
So, although there's no specific section where you can see on which Close Friends lists you are, you can find out if you look at the green signs you will see on some Instagram posts, notes, stories, and reels. But remember that if you are not part of any list, you will not see these signs.
