Instagram Friends Feature Guide: How the New Friends Tab in Reels Works
Updated on
Published on
The Instagram Friends feature adds a dedicated “Friends” tab in Reels where you can see public content your friends have liked, commented on, or created, as well as recommendations from Blends you’ve joined. It makes it easier to discover Reels your close circle is engaging with and start conversations around them.
- Shows Reels your friends have interacted with.
- Includes recommendations from your active Blends.
How do I access the Friends tab in Reels?
To use the new Friends feature on Instagram, open the Reels section and tap the “Friends” tab at the top. This switches your feed from the general Reels tab to a curated view focused on your friends’ activity. To return to the standard Reels feed, simply tap the “Reels” tab again.
- Tap “Friends” at the top of Reels to switch views.
- Tap “Reels” to return to the standard feed.
Can I control what’s shown in the Friends tab?
Yes — the Instagram Friends feature includes controls for the Friends tab. You can hide your own likes and comments on Reels and mute activity bubbles from specific people you follow. These privacy settings give you control over what others see in their Friends tab.
- Hide your own likes and comments on Reels.
- Mute activity bubbles from specific accounts.
Why would I use the Friends tab instead of the main Reels feed?
The Friends tab gives you a more personal and relevant Reels experience by focusing on what your friends are creating and engaging with. Instead of scrolling through unrelated trending videos, you see content tied to people you care about.
- A more curated feed based on friends’ activity.
- Encourages direct conversations about shared Reels.
How does the Friends tab help with engagement?
The Instagram Friends feature is designed to spark interaction between users by surfacing content with a built-in social connection. By seeing what your friends are liking and commenting on, you’re more likely to join discussions, leave your own reactions, or even collaborate on new content.
- Increases visibility for creators within friend networks.
- Makes it easier to discover and engage with relevant Reels.
Will the Friends tab affect my privacy?
While the new Friends feature on Instagram shows activity to people you allow, it also offers full privacy controls. You decide whether your likes and comments appear in others’ Friends tabs, and you can change these settings anytime.
- Full control over your visibility in the Friends tab.
- Adjust or disable activity sharing at any time.
How do I hide my own activity from the Friends tab?
If you don’t want your engagement to appear in others’ Friends tabs, you can toggle off the option to show likes and comments. This setting can be found in your privacy controls and adjusted without affecting your ability to view the Friends tab yourself.
- Turn off “Show my activity” in Friends tab settings.
- Keep viewing friends’ content while hiding your own activity.
FAQ – Instagram Friends Feature Guide
What is the Instagram Friends feature?
A new tab in Reels that shows public content your friends have engaged with and recommendations from Blends.
Where do I find the Friends tab?
In the Reels section, tap “Friends” at the top.
Can I hide my own activity in the Friends tab?
Yes, you can hide likes and comments from appearing there.
Can I mute certain people?
Yes, you can mute activity bubbles from specific accounts.
Does it replace the Reels feed?
No — you can switch between the Friends tab and the standard Reels feed anytime.
Does the Friends tab affect my privacy?
Only if you choose to share your activity; you have full control over visibility.
