What Does the Green Following Mean on Instagram? (Complete Guide)

Have you ever noticed a “Green Following” below the name of a friend on Instagram and wondered what it means? Well, welcome to the world of Instagram! With the advancement of technology, social media is growing every day. Thanks to the regular updates on Instagram, new features are constantly being introduced. The green “Following” is also a part of the latest updates. Want to know what it is? Let me show you.

What Does the Green Following Mean on Instagram?

Instagram has a lot of features that add to the user experience. One of the complex features of Instagram is the green following option. When you see green following, it depicts that the person is in your close friends list. But what is close friends list? Don’t worry. I am coming to that part also. 

What is a Close Friend List? 

A Close Friend List (CFL) is a list of friends with whom you can share everything. There are instances that you do you can’t share with everyone. In such a situation close friends feature helps you to share it with limited people. This is one of the important features that helps you to stay connected with everyone. It is a way by which you can share anything with your close ones. However, there is a limitation of this feature. It is only related to putting up a story on Instagram and not to posting pictures on it. 

I know it is a great feature to keep things private. But how to add your friends to this list, is a big question. Let me help you know how to create a close friend list in the next section.

Also, read What Does CFS Mean on Instagram?

How to Create a Close Friend List? 

To get a green following below the name of your friend, it is important to add them to a close friend list. But how? Just follow the steps mentioned below: 

1. The first step is to open the app and visit the profile page by tapping on the profile icon present below on the screen.
2. Once you add the profile page, now is the time to visit settings. To do so, tap on the 3 lines present at the top of the right-hand corner. 
3. There will be a list of new options on your screen. Choose the close friends option and there will be names of the users who are your friends. 
4. Select the people you want to add to your list by tapping on the circle behind the name of the user. However, in starting there will be a list already created by Instagram based on the interaction you made with the people. However, if you do not find the names of the people, directly search for them. 
5. When done, click on get started option and complete your close friend’s list. 

Once completed the list, you can now add a close friend story to your account.

How to Edit the Green Following List?

It is often possible that while adding friends to our Close Friends list, we forget to add some friends. If it happens will you, I’ve got your back. It is very easy to edit the green following list. You can add as well as remove a friend from the list. To edit the list simply follow the steps that you perform for creating the list and reach the close friend’s option from the setting of your profile. You will see the list of the people whom you have already added. To add new people, simply search their names in the search bar and toggle to add them up. Once added, click on done and new users are added to the list. 

On the other hand, there are situations where you don’t want to keep a friend in the close friend list anymore. To do that, simply open the list again and look for the name you want to remove. You will notice a tick mark at the side of the name. Just untick it to remove the person from your list. Don’t worry, they will not get the notification from Instagram. 

How to Add Stories for Green Following?

The main motive for adding a close friends feature was to share private things with them through the stories. Thus, making a free following list but not adding a story for them is a waste. Please note that the Green following story is added in the same way as a normal story. Let me share the steps to make it easy for you to add a close friend story:

• To start with, go to the option that will help you to add the stories. Visit the profile page and choose the + icon to get multiple options. 
• Choose the story option and tap on the picture or the video you want to share with them.
• When the content is selected, you will get two options on the screen: your story and your close friends.
• Click on the close friend’s option to add a green following story. It may take a few seconds to complete the process. 
• Remember that the people added to the list will get to see a green circle around your story.

Also, read What Does BTS Mean on Instagram? (Complete Guide)

What Type of Content Should be Added to the Green Following List?

You must be wondering what type of content I can post on my account. Below I have added what can you add to such stories:

• Sensitive information: If you want to get safe from the stalkers to know where you hang out, just use the green following story option. This will keep things private from you and your close friends. 
• Funny and embarrassing pictures or videos: It is quite often that someone has captured our funny and embarrassing pictures but we never share them due to the worry of being judged. But with the help of stories for green followings, you can easily share them with the people you trust.
• Private life update: Just got engaged but don’t want to tell others. Head over to the Close Friends Story. It is a way to discuss your important things with the limited people. 
• Emotional content: The worst thing that we can do is to tell the world that we are sad. We should tell our emotional state to the people whom we can trust. They will not judge us, and we may get more relaxed.

Can You Go Live with Green Following Friends on Instagram?

Instagram does not limit the close friend’s option for posting the stories only but with the advancement of the features, you can now go live with the people added to the green following list. Want to know how? Let me share the steps with you:

• Open the app, visit the profile page, and click on the + icon. There will be multiple options, just tap on the Live button. 
• You will see the camera open on your profile. Look at the bottom of the page there will be a dropdown menu on the screen. 
• Tap on it and choose the Close Friend option. Once you select it, tap on Start your live video and you are all set to go live with them. 

Next time you are on a date or a night out, go live with your close friends without any fear.

Also, read What Does PMO Mean on Instagram? (Complete Guide)

Conclusion

The Green Following feature on Instagram is related to the Close Friends feature. A person added to your Close Friends list will have a green following button below their profile. To add a person to the Close Friends list, you must go to the settings from your profile page and select the Close Friends option. Select the names you want to add to the list and complete it. You can share a story with them and also go live with them. However, please remember that this feature was introduced to maintain your privacy. Thus, remember to add only close friends to the list.

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