How To See Close Friends on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide

Instagram’s Close Friends feature allows you to curate an elite group of besties to see exclusive content the public can’t. It’s like giving VIP seats to your favorite people in your social circle to your private stories and posts. 

But what if you want to reassess who’s on the list? How do you go about it? Here’s a quick guide on how to see Close Friends on Instagram to manage your list easier.

A Quick Refresher: What Are Close Friends on Instagram?

Instagram allows users to create Close Friends lists so they can share exclusive content with a select group of people. It gives creators a chance to post personal content without having the entire world see it. Instead, only their best friends and most personal inner circle will. It’s perfect for candid, unfiltered, silly content that showcases brand authenticity and isn’t polished or curated.

The most common way to use the feature is to post Close Friends Stories—also sometimes referred to as “CFS.” When someone posts a Story for their Instagram Close Friends only, a green circle will appear around their Instagram profile picture. And when you open it, you’ll see a green symbol with a star at the top of the Story.

Many people use their private list of Close Friends for content sharing on Instagram Stories. However, in 2023, Instagram rolled out an update allowing users to use the function for feed posts and Reels, too.

Most creators do run-of-the-mill Instagram post creation. They curate aesthetic photos, build a content calendar, and schedule content for the public feed. But they can include Close Friends posts in their content strategy, too. They can add only their most loyal and engaged fans to their Close Friends list. There, they can reward those fans with bonus content for their eyes only.

How To See Close Friends on Instagram: Step-by-Step

Do you have an existing list of people you tagged as Close Friends and want to revisit and reassess it? Here’s how to look through your Close Friends in a few simple steps from your personal settings:

1. Open the Instagram app.

2. Go to your profile.

3. Tap the three horizontal lines at the top of the screen to go to your settings.

4. Select Close Friends to see the full list.

If you currently have an active Instagram Story up, you can also look at your Close Friends from there. Here’s how:

1. Open your current Story.

2. Tap the three dots at the bottom of the screen labeled More.

3. Choose Story settings.

4. Select Close friends to see the full list.

How To Know if You’re on Someone’s Close Friends List

Well, that’s super simple! If you’re wondering how to know if you’re on someone’s Close Friends list, all you have to do is watch out for the green circle around someone’s Stories. This is the easiest sign to look for to know you’ve made it on their list!

Here’s another tip for how to see who’s Close Friends list you’re on Instagram. Looking for the star symbol on feed posts. A small, green rectangle with a white star appears at the top of a post that’s for Close Friends only.

Instagram doesn’t send notifications when someone adds you to their Close Friends. But looking for these green symbols makes it super easy to find out!

Can You Leave Someone’s Close Friends List?

Unfortunately, no, you can’t leave someone’s Close Friends list. The owner is the only person who can control who is on and off the list.

We get it, though. Sometimes, it can get a little uncomfortable seeing Close Friends content from someone you don’t exactly feel close to. If you really don’t want to see their content, mute these people so their Stories don’t appear on your homepage. Don’t worry; Instagram doesn’t notify them if you do, so it won’t be awkward!

How To See Someone’s Close Friends on Instagram Hack: Is There a Way?

It’s one thing to see someone’s Close Friends content that you’re a part of. But it’s juicier to know how to see people’s Close Friends on Instagram. So, is it possible?

Sadly, no. Instagram doesn’t currently provide a way for people to see others’ Close Friends list. Those lists remain private and for their owner’s eyes only.

Of course, you can always put your detective hat on and look for hints about who’s on whose list. Here’s our favorite “how to see someone’s Close Friends on Instagram” hack: assess who engages with their Close Friend content.

If you can see someone’s Close Friends feed posts or Reels, look through the likes and comments. That content is only accessible to people on the poster’s Close Friends. So, if they can engage with those posts, they’re definitely on the list!

Get Up Close and Personal With Even More Followers by Growing Your Page!

Now that you know how to see Close Friends on Instagram, use it as an engagement strategy. Provide bonus content to your top fans to connect with them deeper.

Want to grow your following and add more people to Close Friends to give them exclusive content? Path Social can help! We’ll promote your page to help it reach your niche audience. The higher your visibility online, the more followers you’ll gain!

We’ve given creators like Margene Beaver an immense boost in accounts reached, and we can do it for you! Grow your community and share bonus content with more followers with Path Social.

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