On Instagram, a green “Following” button indicates that a user is part of your close friends list. This designation means that they will see content you share specifically with your close friends, a feature allowing for more intimate and selective sharing on the platform. For example, if a user has a green “Following” label next to their name, it signifies they will have access to your close friends stories and posts.
The close friends feature provides a level of privacy and control that is not available with regular posts or stories. It offers users the ability to connect with a smaller, more trusted circle. Prior to the introduction of this feature, users often had to resort to creating separate, private accounts to share content with select individuals. The feature streamlines the sharing process and enhances the user experience.