In the era of social media, Instagram has become a go-to platform for sharing our lives with others. But when it comes to sharing moments and memories, should we be more selective? Is it better to limit our audience to a chosen few, our close friends on Instagram?
Or should we embrace the public feed and let our content be visible to all? In this blog post, I’ll delve into the popular debate between Closest Friends Instagram Only and the Public Feed.
This informative blog post will help you to decide which approach suits you best for Instagram.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of each. Then, discover the ideal way to curate your Instagram experience to match your preferences and privacy needs.
Table of Contents
Instagram Only
When it comes to sharing your moments on Instagram, you have the option to choose between sharing with your entire audience or a select group of close friends. The latter is possible through Instagram’s Close Friends feature.
It allows you to create a list of people who will be the exclusive recipients of your private posts.
Creating lists on Instagram is similar to creating lists over on Twitter X.
In this section, I’ll explore the benefits of sharing with close friends only, how to create a Close Friends list, and how to share with them on Instagram.
Creating A Close Friends List
To begin sharing exclusively with your closest friends on Instagram, you need to create a Close Friends list. This feature gives you control over who sees your private posts. It ensures that only those you trust can view and engage with them.
To create a Close Friends list, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
- Go to your profile and tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
- From the menu that appears, select “Close Friends.”
- You’ll be presented with a list of suggested accounts to add to your Close Friends list. You can either select them or manually search for and add specific friends.
- Once you’ve added all the desired accounts, tap on “Done.”
Congratulations! You’ve successfully created a Close Friends list on Instagram. Now, let’s explore some of the benefits of sharing exclusively with this select group of Instagram friends.
Benefits of Sharing With Close Friends Only
Sharing with close friends on Instagram offers a host of benefits that can enhance your overall social media experience. Here are some reasons why you should consider utilizing the Close Friends feature:
- Privacy and intimacy: By sharing only with your closest friends, you create a more intimate and private space to share personal moments, thoughts, and experiences. This allows for a deeper level of connection and trust within your inner circle.
- Selective audience: Sharing with close friends means that your content will be seen and appreciated by a smaller, more engaged audience. This can lead to more meaningful interactions, as your friends are likely to provide genuine support, compliments, and feedback.
- Filtered content: The Close Friends feature allows you to curate and tailor content specifically for your chosen audience. This means you can share more candid or personal moments without worrying about judgment. Or the pressure to maintain a certain image.
- Enhanced engagement: Sharing exclusively with close friends fosters a sense of exclusivity and importance. Your friends will feel privileged to be part of your inner circle. Thus leading to increased engagement through likes, comments, and conversations.
Now that we understand the benefits, let’s learn how to share with your Close Friends on Instagram.
How To Share With Close Friends On Instagram
Sharing with your Close Friends on Instagram is a straightforward process. Once you’ve created your Close Friends list, follow these steps to start sharing exclusive content:
- Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
- Before creating a new post, tap on the “+” icon to begin composing.
- Choose or capture a photo or video that you want to share with your Close Friends.
- Before adding filters or editing, tap on the “Close Friends” button located on the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Select the “Close Friends” option to ensure that your post will only be visible to this specific audience.
- Proceed with editing your post or adding captions and hashtags as usual.
- Once you’re satisfied with your post, tap on “Share” to publish it exclusively for your Close Friends.
That’s it! You’ve successfully shared a post with your Close Friends on Instagram. Now you can enjoy the benefits of having a more private and intimate space for sharing memorable moments with your inner circle.
The Public Feed
When it comes to sharing on Instagram, the public feed plays a significant role in expanding your reach. As well as gaining engagement, and receiving valuable feedback.
Unlike sharing exclusively with your closest friends, sharing publicly allows you to connect with a larger audience. Thus opening the door to exciting possibilities.
Expanding Your Reach To A Larger Audience
One of the primary advantages of sharing publicly on Instagram is the opportunity to expand your reach to a larger audience. By making your posts or stories visible to anyone who comes across your profile or uses relevant hashtags, you increase your chances of attracting new followers.
Not only that but connecting with like-minded individuals, and potentially gaining the attention of brands or influential accounts within your niche.
The public feed serves as a gateway to reaching a broader demographic and building a strong online presence.
Gaining Engagement and Feedback
Engagement is a vital aspect of any social media platform, and Instagram is no exception. When you share publicly, you open the doors to receiving valuable feedback from your followers and the wider Instagram community.
Whether it’s through likes, comments, or direct messages, engagement allows you to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Therefore, fostering meaningful conversations, and gather insights about your content.
By sharing publicly, you give others the opportunity to engage with your posts, provide feedback, and make your Instagram experience more interactive and rewarding.
Tips For Sharing Publicly On Instagram
To make the most out of sharing publicly on Instagram, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
- 1. Know your audience: Understanding who your target audience is will help you tailor your content to resonate with them. Research your niche, identify their interests, and create posts that cater to their preferences and needs.
- 2. Use hashtags strategically: Hashtags play a vital role in increasing the discoverability of your posts. Research popular and relevant hashtags in your niche, and use them strategically to reach a wider audience. Ensure your hashtags are specific enough to target your intended audience, but not so niche that they limit your reach.
- 3. Engage with others: Actively engage with your followers and others within your Instagram community. Respond to comments on your posts, follow accounts that align with your interests, and genuinely interact with their content. Building relationships and fostering a sense of community will help attract engagement and increase your visibility.
- 4. Post consistently and thoughtfully: Consistency is key on Instagram. Develop a posting schedule that works for you and stick to it. Ensure your content is of high quality, visually appealing, and provides value to your audience. Crafting well-thought-out captions and utilizing storytelling techniques can also capture the attention of your followers, sparking engagement and encouraging them to interact with your posts.
- 5. Experiment and analyze: Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different types of content. Pay attention to the posts and strategies that generate the most engagement, and use analytics tools to understand what works best for your audience. Analyze your data, learn from it, and tweak your approach accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to sharing on Instagram, the choice between your closest friends and the public feed depends on your individual preferences and goals.
Sharing with your closest friends allows for a more intimate and personal experience. It creates a safe space where you can freely express yourself without the fear of judgment from a wider audience.
This option is perfect for moments that you want to keep within your inner circle, like family gatherings or inside jokes between friends.
On the other hand, sharing on the public feed opens up the opportunity to connect with a larger audience and gain more exposure. It allows you to showcase your creativity, build a personal brand, and potentially attract new followers who share similar interests.
This option is ideal if you want to reach a wider range of people and share your content with the world.
Embrace the power of sharing and enjoy the journey of creating meaningful content for yourself and others to enjoy.
Your Turn – Sharing On Instagram
Which way do you prefer sharing on Instagram? I’d love to hear about your story and strategy in the comments below.
FAQ: Sharing With Your Closest Friends Instagram Only Vs. Public Feed
What’s the difference between “Close Friends” and the public feed?
“Close Friends” lets you share stories with a select group. The public feed shares posts with all your followers.
How do I add people to my “Close Friends” list?
Go to your profile, tap the menu icon, and select “Close Friends.” Add people from there.
Can people see if they’re on my “Close Friends” list?
No, they won’t know unless you share a story with that group.
Can I share regular posts with “Close Friends”?
No, the “Close Friends” feature is only for stories.
How do I know if someone shared a story with their “Close Friends” list?
A green ring will appear around their profile picture in the story feed.
Can I remove someone from my “Close Friends” list?
Yes, simply go to the “Close Friends” section and remove them.
Will someone know if I remove them from my “Close Friends” list?
No, they won’t be notified if you remove them.
Is there a limit to how many “Close Friends” I can have?
No, there’s no cap on how many people you can add.
Can I have a “Close Friends” list on a private account?
Yes, both private and public accounts can use the “Close Friends” feature.
Why use “Close Friends” instead of just a private account?
“Close Friends” allows more control over who sees specific stories without making your whole account private.
Will my “Close Friends” see ads in my stories?
Yes, Instagram may show ads in stories, even to your “Close Friends.”
Can I customize my “Close Friends” list for each story?
No, the list remains the same unless you manually change it.
Do “Close Friends” stories get saved in highlights?
Yes, if you choose to save them, they will appear like any other story.
What happens if I block someone who was on my “Close Friends” list?
They won’t have access to your stories or profile anymore.
She has 30+ years of experience in marketing/advertising with 12 years of experience in content marketing, social media, blogging, and SEO.
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I love Instagram but the one thing I dislike is how things are not in chronological order. Being able to share with just “friends” helps them see what I’m posting and vice versa. Otherwise, the post gets lost in the feed. However, on a business level, sharing publicly and using correct hashtags helps get your post seen. I know you share some of your blog posts on IG, Lisa. Do you analytics show you get much traffic from IG?
Hi Bren, I generate traffic from the stories when I add the link sticker. That’s what works best for my business there. I liked chronological order best too but those days are gone for most social media networks. Thanks for coming by and have a great day.