A green ‘Following’ button on Instagram indicates a user has been added to one’s close friends list. This feature allows individuals to share content with a select group of followers, offering a more private and intimate sharing experience than public posts or stories. For example, if a user adds their immediate family to their close friends list, stories shared specifically with that group will be denoted by a green circle around the user’s profile picture, visible only to those on the list.
This functionality is beneficial for individuals seeking greater control over their online visibility. It enables users to share more personal content, updates, or behind-the-scenes glimpses with a trusted circle without broadcasting to their entire follower base. Prior to the introduction of this feature, users had limited options for tailoring content visibility, often relying on private accounts or alternative messaging platforms for selective sharing. The close friends feature addresses this need by providing a built-in solution within the Instagram ecosystem.