Key Takeaways:
- Use the “Close Friends” feature to share stories with a select group
- Create an empty “Close Friends” list to hide stories from everyone
- Switch to a private account to hide stories from non-followers
- Others won’t be notified when you hide stories from them
Instagram stories are a great way to share moments from your life with your followers. However, there may be times when you want to share a story with only a select few people, rather than your entire following. Luckily, Instagram provides a few ways to hide your stories from everyone except a chosen group of close friends.
Table of Contents
Using the “Close Friends” Feature
Instagram’s “Close Friends” feature allows you to create a list of people who can see exclusive content that you share. This is the easiest and most straightforward way to hide your stories from everyone except a select group.
To create a Close Friends list:
- Go to your Instagram profile and tap the three lines in the top right corner
- Select “Close Friends” from the menu
- Tap “Add” to search for and select the people you want to include in your list
- Once you’ve added everyone, tap “Done”
Now, when you create a story, you’ll have the option to share it with either all of your followers or just your Close Friends list. Stories shared with your Close Friends will have a green circle around them, letting those users know that they’re part of your exclusive group.
Hiding Stories from Everyone
If you want to hide your story from absolutely everyone, you can use a clever workaround with the Close Friends feature. Here’s how:
- Create a Close Friends list, but don’t add anyone to it
- When you create your story, select “Close Friends” as the sharing option
- Since your Close Friends list is empty, no one will be able to see your story
This trick is useful if you want to create a story for archival purposes or to save in your highlights without anyone else being able to view it.
Hiding Stories from Non-Followers
If you have a public account and want to hide your stories from people who don’t follow you, the easiest solution is to switch to a private account. When your account is private, only your approved followers will be able to see your stories (and the rest of your content).
To switch to a private account:
- Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top right corner
- Select “Settings” and then “Privacy”
- Tap “Account Privacy” and toggle on the “Private Account” option
Keep in mind that when you switch to a private account, any pending follow requests will need to be approved before those users can see your content.
Will Others Know That You’ve Hidden Your Story From Them?
One common concern is whether people will be notified when you hide your stories from them. The good news is that Instagram does not send any notifications when you add or remove someone from your Close Friends list, or when you hide your story from certain users.
However, it’s worth noting that if someone who is used to seeing your stories suddenly stops seeing them, they may realize that you’ve hidden your stories from them or removed them from your Close Friends list. If you’re trying to avoid hurting someone’s feelings, it’s best to be discreet about your story-hiding habits.
Creative Ways to Use Close Friends
While the Close Friends feature is useful for hiding stories from certain people, it can also be used in creative ways to engage with your audience. Here are a few ideas:
- Create exclusive content for your most engaged followers as a reward for their support
- Use Close Friends to share behind-the-scenes content or sneak peeks of upcoming projects
- Create a Close Friends list for a specific group, like family members or coworkers, to share relevant content with them
- Use Close Friends to test out new content ideas and get feedback from a trusted group before sharing with your wider audience
By getting creative with the Close Friends feature, you can create a more engaging and interactive experience for your followers.
Conclusion
Instagram’s Close Friends feature and privacy settings give you a lot of control over who can see your stories. Whether you want to share with just a select group or hide your stories from everyone, these tools make it easy to customize your story-sharing experience.
By using these features strategically, you can create a more personalized and engaging Instagram presence that resonates with your audience. So go ahead and experiment with Close Friends and story-hiding – your followers will appreciate the exclusive content and thoughtful approach to privacy.
FAQ
Can I add or remove people from my Close Friends list at any time?
Yes, you can edit your Close Friends list whenever you want by going to your profile, tapping the three lines in the top right corner, and selecting “Close Friends.” From there, you can add or remove people as needed.
If I hide my story from someone, will they still be able to see my other content?
Yes, hiding your story from someone does not affect their ability to see your posts, reels, or other content on your profile. It only hides your stories from them.
Can I create multiple Close Friends lists for different groups?
No, Instagram only allows you to create one Close Friends list. However, you can edit that list as often as you like to include different people for different stories.
Will someone be notified if I add them to my Close Friends list?
No, Instagram does not send notifications when you add someone to your Close Friends list. However, they will see a green circle around your stories, indicating that they’re part of your Close Friends group.
Can I see who views my Close Friends stories?
Yes, just like with regular stories, you can see who has viewed your Close Friends stories by opening the story and swiping up on the screen. Only the people on your Close Friends list will be able to view those stories.
