Instagram Working on New Privacy Update: Control Who Sees Your Likes on Posts, Reels

Instagram is on the verge of a new privacy update, giving users unprecedented control over who sees their liked posts and reels.

This coming update promises to change how individuals curate their online presence, offering a new level of customization and privacy management.

More About the Instagram Feature

As first reported by Phone Arena, the latest beta version of Instagram unveiled a groundbreaking feature allowing users to dictate who can view their liked content. This feature will introduce four distinct options, empowering users to tailor their audience preferences:

• Allow everyone to see likes
• Allow people you follow to see likes
• Allow close friends to see likes
• Don't allow anyone to see likes

These settings allow users to finely tune their visibility preferences, enabling them to strike a balance between engagement and privacy.

While this enhancement is not yet available to the public, its potential impact on the Instagram experience is undeniable.

Instagram Flipside

Simultaneously, Instagram is exploring a new feature, 'Flipside,' tentatively, aiming to create a more intimate space within profiles.

TechCrunch tells us that this feature mirrors the concept of 'finstas,' providing a platform for users to share candid and personal content exclusively with a select circle of friends without resorting to separate accounts.

Reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi revealed insights into 'Flipside,' showcasing a user-centric approach by allowing customization of profile pictures, names, bios, and audience management tools.

Instagram's vision for 'Flipside' aims to offer a seamless, integrated solution for users seeking a private sharing space within the confines of their existing profile.

While this feature remains in internal testing, its potential implications for user engagement and the platform's competitive edge against dedicated private-sharing networks are substantial.

However, Instagram remains cautious, with no confirmed launch date or assurance of the feature's public release.

Survey Reveals Teen Social Media Usage

A recent Pew Research Center survey has shed light on the dynamic landscape of teen social media usage.

The survey indicates that social media remains an integral part of teen life, with YouTube maintaining its dominance, closely followed by TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram (via Forbes).

Notably, the survey revealed a significant increase in teens spending considerable time online, with nearly half reporting online "almost constantly."

Furthermore, a shift in platform preferences among teens has emerged, showcasing Snapchat's rise above Instagram, albeit by a narrow margin.

Interestingly, the survey underscores subtle gender disparities in social media usage patterns, with variations in constant usage observed among platforms like TikTok and Snapchat, favoring teenage girls.

The convergence of these developments highlights Instagram's proactive approach to addressing user needs and preferences while responding to the evolving dynamics of the broader social media landscape.

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(Photo : Tech Times Writer John Lopez)