New Instagram Feature Lets You Go Live with Close Friends Only
A new feature has just been launched on Instagram, allowing users to restrict their live broadcasts to their Close Friends list. Introduced by the Meta-owned app on Thursday, this feature enables users to go live with up to three people, but only if they are all part of their Close Friends circle.
This new feature gives users greater control over who sees their live streams, but it’s unclear what specific purposes this feature will serve. According to Instagram, users can use it to "share what’s on your mind, spontaneously catch up with friends, share memes, plan trips, do homework together, or just hang out casually in real-time." However, it’s worth noting that there are already many other apps and platforms that offer similar features, such as group chats for sharing memes and planning trips.
The live broadcast feature on Instagram, which was launched in 2016, has primarily been used by public figures, celebrities, and influencers to connect with their fans. Regular users don’t often use the feature because it can be intimidating to broadcast live and maintain a sense of immediacy on the platform. It seems that Instagram is attempting to change this by enticing regular users to use the feature, capitalizing on the growing trend of individualized and private social media interactions.
To try out this new feature, simply click the "+" button to share on Instagram, scroll over to the live option, and select "Close Friends." When you start recording, you’ll be limited to sharing your live stream with only your Close Friends.
