Instagram is preparing to introduce a useful new feature that would allow users to remove themselves from another person’s Close Friends list, according to reports confirmed by Meta. If launched, the update would mark a significant change in how privacy and personal boundaries work on the platform.
At present, Instagram users can create Close Friends lists to share Stories, Reels, and posts with a limited audience. However, those added to such lists have no control over their inclusion. The planned feature aims to change that dynamic.
Feature Still in Early Development
Meta, Instagram’s parent company, has confirmed that development of this feature is underway. However, the company stressed that the work is still at an early stage. As a result, the feature has not yet been tested publicly with users.
This means there is no confirmed timeline for when, or even if, the feature will be rolled out globally. Meta often tests features internally before deciding on a wider release.
How Instagram’s Close Friends Feature Works
Instagram introduced the Close Friends feature in 2018. It allows users to limit the visibility of certain content to a selected group. This includes Stories, posts, and more recently, Reels.
The feature has been widely used by people who want to share personal updates without broadcasting them to all followers. According to industry estimates, Instagram now has more than two billion monthly active users, making privacy tools increasingly important.
However, despite its popularity, the Close Friends feature has had one major limitation. Users could not opt out of someone else’s list. Once added, they would continue seeing restricted content unless removed by the list owner.
First Spotted by a Social Media Researcher
The upcoming change was first reported by X (formerly Twitter) user Alessandro Paluzzi. He is well known for uncovering unreleased features in Meta’s apps through app code analysis.
Paluzzi shared screenshots suggesting how the feature might work. These images indicated that users would receive a clear warning before leaving a Close Friends list.
What Happens When You Leave a Close Friends List
Based on the shared screenshots, Instagram would notify users that leaving a Close Friends list would immediately stop them from seeing exclusive content. This would include Stories and posts shared only with Close Friends.
The warning would also explain that access would remain blocked unless the list owner adds the user again. This approach appears designed to prevent accidental removals and ensure users understand the consequences.
Mixed Reactions Expected
Not everyone is likely to welcome this change. Some users may feel uncomfortable if someone chooses to leave their carefully curated Close Friends list. For others, it may feel like a rejection.
However, many users are expected to welcome the option. Some people prefer not to be included in selective lists. Others may feel pressured or awkward about viewing personal content they did not ask to see.
In that sense, the feature could empower users to manage their social boundaries more confidently.
Similar Features Already Exist Elsewhere
A comparable option already exists on Snapchat, where users can manage friend lists and privacy more flexibly. Instagram often adopts features inspired by competing platforms, especially when user demand grows.
By considering this update, Meta appears to be responding to broader concerns about digital consent and personal comfort online.
No Confirmed Launch Date Yet
As Meta has emphasized, development is still in the early stages. Therefore, it remains unclear when the feature will be available to all users. Some experimental features never make it past internal testing.
Nevertheless, the confirmation alone suggests that Instagram is rethinking how control and choice function on the platform.
If introduced, the feature could quietly reshape social interactions on Instagram. More importantly, it would give users a long-requested ability to decide not just what they share, but also what they receive.
