If you’re an avid Instagram user, you may have noticed a bright green ring surround certain stories. This mysterious green circle catches the eye and leaves many users wondering why it appears. Does it indicate something special about that story?
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: The green ring around an Instagram story means that the person who posted it is someone you have had a close direct messaging relationship with recently.
Instagram adds the green ring to make it easy to identify stories from your frequent messaging contacts at a glance.
Instagram’s Close Friends Feature
Instagram’s Close Friends feature is a useful tool that allows users to share specific stories with a select group of people. This feature is represented by a green ring around the user’s profile picture in the stories feed, indicating that the story is only visible to their close friends.
But what exactly does this feature entail and how can you make the most out of it?
Meaning of Close Friends
The Close Friends feature on Instagram allows users to create a custom list of people they consider to be their close friends. These are the individuals with whom they feel comfortable sharing more personal, behind-the-scenes moments.
By adding someone to your Close Friends list, you are essentially granting them access to a more exclusive and intimate part of your Instagram experience.
It’s important to note that being added to someone’s Close Friends list is a sign of trust and closeness. It means that you are among a select group of individuals with whom the user wants to share a deeper level of connection.
How to Use Close Friends Lists
To create and manage your Close Friends list on Instagram, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to access the menu.
- Select “Close Friends” from the menu.
- Tap on “Add” to add friends to your list.
- You can search for specific usernames or scroll through your followers to find the people you want to add.
- Once you’ve added all the desired individuals, tap on “Done.”
Now that you’ve created your Close Friends list, you can start sharing stories exclusively with them. When posting a story, you’ll see the option to share it with your Close Friends. Simply select this option, and only the people on your Close Friends list will be able to view it.
Close Friends vs Close Followers
It’s important to differentiate between Close Friends and Close Followers on Instagram. While Close Friends allows you to create a specific list of individuals to share stories with, Close Followers is a feature that allows users to restrict their entire account to a select group of followers.
Close Friends is more focused on sharing individual stories with a limited audience, whereas Close Followers restricts access to your entire Instagram account. Close Followers can be a great option for people who want to create a more private and exclusive Instagram experience.
Understanding the difference between these two features can help you determine which one best suits your privacy preferences and the level of exclusivity you want to maintain on Instagram.
For more information about Instagram’s Close Friends feature, you can visit the official Instagram Help Center here.
Why Close Friends Get a Green Ring
Have you ever noticed a green ring around someone’s Instagram story and wondered what it means? Well, that green ring signifies that the person is one of your close friends on Instagram. This feature was introduced by Instagram to enhance the privacy and personalization of stories.
Indicates a Direct Messaging Relationship
The green ring around someone’s Instagram story indicates that you have a close relationship with that person, specifically through direct messaging. When you add someone to your close friends list, it means that you trust them and want to share more personal and exclusive content with them.
By limiting the visibility of your stories to your close friends, you can feel more comfortable sharing moments that you may not want to share with your entire follower list. It’s a way to create a more intimate and private space within the Instagram platform.
Makes Their Stories Stand Out
Another reason why close friends get a green ring is that it makes their stories stand out from the rest. When you have a large number of followers, it can be challenging for your stories to get noticed among the sea of content.
However, when you share a story with your close friends, it will be highlighted with a green ring, making it more eye-catching and easily distinguishable.
This feature allows you to prioritize the content you want to see and ensures that you don’t miss out on updates from your close friends. It’s a way to give more visibility to the people who matter most to you on Instagram.
Part of Instagram’s 2018 Update
The green ring around Instagram stories was introduced as part of a major update in 2018. Instagram constantly strives to improve user experience and provide new features that enhance the platform’s functionality.
With this update, Instagram aimed to create a more personalized and private space within the app. The green ring feature not only allows you to have more control over who sees your stories, but it also encourages stronger connections with your closest friends.
So, the next time you see a green ring around someone’s Instagram story, you’ll know that they are one of your close friends. It’s a way for Instagram to foster closer relationships and make your stories more visible and meaningful.
Other Colors and What They Mean
Instagram Stories is not just limited to the green ring. There are other colors that have specific meanings as well. Here are some of the other colored rings you may come across:
Purple Ring – Live Video
If you see a purple ring around someone’s Instagram Story, it means that they are currently broadcasting a live video. Live videos on Instagram are a great way for users to interact with their followers in real-time. Viewers can leave comments and send hearts to show their appreciation.
So, if you see a purple ring, make sure to tune in and join the fun!
Red Ring – Viewed by You
The red ring is an interesting one. It indicates that you have viewed someone’s Story. When you open an Instagram Story and see a red ring, it means that you have already seen that particular Story. This can be helpful to keep track of which Stories you have already viewed, especially if you follow a lot of accounts.
No Ring – Public Story
Not every Instagram Story will have a colored ring around it. In fact, most Stories will not have any ring at all. This simply means that the Story is public and can be viewed by anyone who follows that particular account.
So, if you don’t see any colored ring around a Story, rest assured that it is public and available for everyone to see.
It’s important to note that the meanings of these colored rings may change over time as Instagram introduces new features and updates. To stay up to date with the latest information, it’s always a good idea to check Instagram’s official website or blog for any announcements or updates regarding Stories.
Conclusion
The next time you spot a bright green ring around an Instagram story, you’ll know it signals a frequent messaging connection. This creative visual indicator helps you instantly spot stories from recent chat partners as you scroll.
So if you want the green ring treatment, start direct messaging with friends more often!
