Instagram, the popular photo and reel-sharing platform, owned by Meta has recently rolled out a new feature called ‘Close Friends on Live’. This feature will enable the users to broadcast live streams to a selected group of closest friends on the platform.
Here are the steps to use this feature to go live with only your ‘Close Friends’, and not your entire friend list:
Step-by-step guide to live stream for Instagram ‘Close Friends’:
- Update your Instagram app:
The very first thing to do is to update your application to the latest version, only then you can get access to the new feature. The update is available on both - the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Set Up Your ‘Close Friends’ List
- Open Instagram
- Go to your profile
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
- Select ‘Close Friends’.
- Add or remove people from your list by selecting ‘Add’ next to their name or using the search bar to find specific friends.
Start Your Live Stream on Instagram
- Go to your Instagram feed and swipe right to open the camera.
- Swipe left at the bottom of the screen to select ‘Live’.
- Before going live, tap on the settings gear icon and choose ‘Close Friends’ to limit your audience to this select group.
- Once you are ready, tap the ‘Go Live’ button and stream live.
Interact with your audience
- You can interact with your viewers in real time, knowing that only your ‘Close Friends’ can see the broadcast.
- Use features like comments, reactions, and inviting others to join your live stream.
End the livestream on Instagram
- When you are finished, tap the ‘End’ button in the top right corner.
- You’ll have the option to save the video to your camera roll or share it as a Story, viewable only by your ‘Close Friends’.
Why use ‘Close Friends on Live’?
This new feature is ideal for those who prefer a more intimate and private live-streaming experience.
Why the live streaming on Instagram with ‘Close Friends’ will be beneficial:
Privacy and Comfort
Unlike the traditional live streaming process, where anyone and anyone who follows you can join, the new feature will make sure that only you select ‘Close Friends’ who can view and interact with your broadcast.
This feature is perfect for personal updates or casual hangouts without the pressure of a public audience.
Exclusive Content
Share special moments, discuss topics or plan events with a limited audience. Add your special friends to your ‘Close Friends’ as an exclusive experience, which is similar to the influencers but in a private setting.
Control and Security
With the ability to restrict who to view your live streaming- you will have greater control over your content and interactions, fostering a safer and more comfortable environment.
Enhancing Instagram's privacy features
This addition is a part of Meta's broader initiative to enhance privacy features on Instagram. Last year (2023), they further introduced the feature which enables the user to make grid posts which are visible to their ‘Close Friends’ and recently were able to opt for limited interactions with close friends further.
With the ‘Close Friends on Live’ feature on Instagram, the platform will continue to empower users with more ways to share their lives selectively, making the platform more versatile and user-friendly for private interactions.
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