Instagram is working on a new feature that directly addresses a long standing concern among users regarding control over private content visibility. The platform is developing an option that would allow individuals to remove themselves from someone else’s Close Friends list, a feature that has existed since 2018 but has remained entirely one sided. Meta confirmed on Friday that the functionality is in development, though it remains in an early stage and is not yet available for public testing. Once introduced, the update is expected to give users greater agency over the content they see and the social signals they receive within the app.
Since the introduction of Close Friends, Instagram users have had no ability to opt out once added to someone’s private list. Being placed on a Close Friends list automatically grants access to exclusive Stories, Reels, and Posts shared with that selected audience. While some users appreciate the added intimacy, others have viewed it as intrusive or unnecessary, especially when relationships change or when the content feels excessive. The lack of a removal option has been a frequent source of frustration, as users were effectively locked into viewing private content unless the original poster chose to remove them. The upcoming feature seeks to rebalance that dynamic by allowing recipients to make that decision themselves.
The internal prototype of the feature was first identified by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who is known for uncovering unreleased social media tools through app code analysis. According to a screenshot shared by Paluzzi, Instagram plans to include a clear warning before a user exits a Close Friends list. The prompt informs users that leaving the list will immediately revoke access to that person’s exclusive content and that the action cannot be reversed independently. If a user later wishes to view that private content again, they would need the original account holder to manually add them back. This design choice suggests Instagram is aiming to provide autonomy while preserving the original intent of Close Friends as a curated and deliberate sharing feature. While some users may perceive removal as socially awkward, others see it as a practical way to reduce digital clutter and regain control over their feed.
The move also brings Instagram more in line with competing platforms. Snapchat, for example, already allows users to remove themselves from private stories, offering a precedent for user driven control over selective sharing. Industry observers note that such changes reflect a broader trend among social platforms toward giving users more granular control over their experiences, particularly as audiences become more conscious of privacy, boundaries, and content overload. Although Meta has not announced a rollout timeline, the confirmation alone signals acknowledgment of user feedback that has persisted for years.
Alongside this update, Meta is also exploring new monetization strategies through premium subscription offerings. The company plans to test bundled subscriptions that could unlock exclusive features across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, while keeping core services free for the broader user base. Although Meta has not formally detailed what these subscriptions will include, Paluzzi has surfaced potential features under consideration. These include the ability to create unlimited audience lists, identify followers who do not follow back, and view Stories anonymously without notifying the content creator. Meta is expected to test multiple configurations before settling on a final offering, and features could vary by region or platform.
Taken together, the Close Friends update and the exploration of paid features suggest Meta is attempting to balance user empowerment with revenue diversification. By introducing tools that give people more choice over what they see and how they interact, while also offering optional premium controls, Instagram appears to be refining its approach to personalization and user satisfaction. While both initiatives remain under development, they point to gradual changes in how social platforms manage privacy, control, and monetization in increasingly crowded digital spaces.
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