Instagram users might soon gain more control over their social media experience with a potential new feature that allows them to leave someone else's Close Friends list. According to a recent report, the platform is working on this functionality, which could address long-standing user requests while introducing new social dynamics.
Development and Discovery of the Feature
The feature is currently under development and has not yet been rolled out for testing, as detailed in a TechCrunch report. It was first spotted by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who shared screenshots on social media showing how the removal option would appear. These images reveal that before leaving a Close Friends list, users will receive a warning indicating they will no longer be able to view that person's Close Friends content unless they are added back.
Social Implications and User Reactions
While some users have advocated for this option for years, enabling people to exit a Close Friends list could awkwardly signal rejection to those who added them. This move highlights the delicate balance between user autonomy and social etiquette on digital platforms. In contrast, Snapchat, a key rival to Instagram, already offers a similar feature allowing users to remove themselves from someone's Best Friends list, mirroring Instagram's Close Friends functionality.
Background on Close Friends Feature
Introduced in 2018, Instagram's Close Friends feature enables users to share Stories, Reels, and posts exclusively with a selected group, rather than all followers. However, since its launch, users have not had the ability to remove themselves from another user's Close Friends list, making this potential update a significant shift in how the feature operates.
Meta's Broader Strategy and AI Integration
This development comes amid broader initiatives by Meta, Instagram's parent company. Meta is reportedly testing paid subscription services on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, with plans to offer exclusive tools for creativity, productivity, and AI use while keeping core services free. These subscriptions will roll out gradually, featuring tailored experiences for each app.
A major component of Meta's subscription push involves scaling up Manus, an AI agent acquired for approximately $2 billion. Meta aims to integrate Manus directly into its apps while also selling it as a standalone service for businesses. Early signs of this integration include work on adding a Manus shortcut to Instagram, as noted by industry observers.
The global rollout timeline for the Close Friends removal feature remains unclear, but it represents a step toward enhanced user control in social media interactions.
