Instagram On Thursday, the company announced the ability for users to live stream only to their close friends list. The new “Close Friends on Live” feature allows users to live stream with up to three other people.
Instagram says the new feature can be used to share what’s on your mind, connect spontaneously with friends, share memes, plan trips, do homework together, or just hang out in real time.
Although Instagram launched live broadcasts in 2016, they were always meant to be public and open to everyone who follows you. This feature is widely used by celebrities and influencers as a way to communicate with fans. For casual users, the idea of broadcasting live to everyone who follows you may not be appealing.
With this new feature, Instagram is giving users the option to control who can view their stream, which could entice people who haven’t used the feature in the past to check it out.
The launch of the new feature signals that Instagram continues its push towards more private and curated communications on its platform.
Late last year, the company Introduced a status feature called Notes To allow users to update their friends in the real world using only text messages and emojis. Users can post a note that will appear at the top of their friends’ inboxes for 24 hours. Instagram sees this feature as a way for users to start conversations with their friends in a light and private way.
As Instagram becomes increasingly associated with influencers and ads, it makes sense for the social network to release features for everyday users who miss the early days of Instagram, when the platform was about connecting with your real-life friends.