WhatsApp to launch Instagram-style ‘Close Friends’ feature for status updates

Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp may soon roll out a Close Friends feature for posting status updates. This will allow users to upload photos, videos, and text on WhatsApp Status, while giving them the option to let only selected people from their Close Friends list view the update. The feature is quite similar to Instagram’s Close Friends option, which focuses on privacy and lets people share stories more selectively instead of with their entire contact list.

According to a report by WABetaInfo, Meta is testing this new feature, which works in a similar way to WhatsApp Status. Users will still be able to post photos, videos, and text that disappear after 24 hours. However, the Close Friends feature will give them more control over who sees the update by allowing them to customise a contact list within the privacy settings.

Currently, WhatsApp offers three privacy options for Status: My Contacts, My Contacts Except, and Only Share With. The Only Share With option already works like a Close Friends feature, but the upcoming update is expected to make the process simpler and more organised.

As per WhatsApp’s TestFlight beta release, users will be able to create a Close Friends list from the privacy settings. Once the list is set up, users will likely see two options when uploading a status: share with all contacts or share with close friends. When a status is uploaded to Close Friends, the green ring that usually appears for status updates may change to a different colour, helping users identify updates meant for their inner circle.