What Does a Green Outlined Ring Mean for Instagram Stories?

If you’re an active Instagram user, you might have noticed that some Instagram Stories appear different to others. The various rim colors around users’ icons all mean something different. If you spot a green circle among the usual red ones, you might wonder about its significance.

Read on to learn what a green circle around Instagram Stories means and how you can get one.

The Instagram Stories Green Circle

Instagram Stories are time-limited posts that are only available for 24 hours. You can see the Stories of the people you follow at the very top of your Instagram feed.

Typically, the Instagram stories you haven’t watched yet will have a reddish-orange rim. Once you watch these stories, their rim will become pale grey, and they will be moved to the end of the Stories list.

However, you might also come across an Instagram Story with a bright green rim instead of the usual red. Let’s see what this means.

Why Do Instagram Stories Have a Green Circle?

If you see a green circle around a user’s Instagram Story – congratulations! It suggests they consider you a close friend. A green circle around their icon means that they’ve posted a private story, shared with only a select group of people.

When you want to share something with only some of your followers, you can create a Close Friends list and post stories only these users will see. A green rim around a user’s icon means that they have added you to their Close Friends list. You’ll also see a green “Close Friends” label inside the story.

What Is a Close Friends List?

A Close Friends list is a private list to which you can add any Instagram user. They won’t know they’ve been added to your Close Friends list until you post a private story and they see the green circle around your icon pop up.

You can edit the list anytime, so you can remove followers with whom you no longer want to share your private Stories. They won’t get notified about the change. In addition, only Close Friends will see private stories – those not on the list won’t know about their existence at all. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the rest of your followers feeling left out.

Instagram introduced the Close Friends feature in 2018, which gave users better control of their privacy and audience. However, you can only share Stories with Close Friends, not feed posts.

Why You Should Use the Close Friends Feature

Taking advantage of the Close Friends feature has numerous benefits.

• You’ll be in control of who sees your posts – Keep personal things private. Your ex doesn’t have to know what you’re up to this Saturday!
• You can stay authentic – If you have a small business, a large following, or anything similar, you may be reluctant to share some things on your Story. With the Close Friends feature, you can maintain a professional image while still staying you.
• You can keep in touch with your friends – The close friends feature is almost like a group chat. You can share personal things and stay in touch with your best buddies with ease.
• It makes the people on your list feel special – The green circle sends the message that you consider your follower more than just a follower. It exudes trust and helps build relationships.
• It’s good for your mental health – Social media fatigue is real, but falling away will make you feel disconnected from your friends. Communicating with just a small group of people will feel more rewarding than posting for hundreds of strangers.

How to Create a Close Friends List

Here’s how you can get a green circle around your stories and make your friends feel special.

1. Launch the Instagram iOS or Android app and log in.
   
2. Go to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the corner.
   
3. Select “Close Friends” in the popup menu.
   
4. Create your Close Friends list by searching for users and checking the circle next to their name.
   

To edit your list later, follow the same steps.

You can also access the Close Friends menu directly when posting a Story:

1. Swipe right on your Instagram feed or press the “+” icon and the “Story” to open the camera.
   
2. Press the gear icon in the top left corner.
   
3. Select “Story.”
   
4. Find the “Close Friends” option on the list.
   

How to Post a Close Friends Story

Now that your Close Friends list is ready, you can start posting private stories with a green rim.

1. Open the Instagram iOS or Android app.
   
2. Swipe right on the homepage or press the “+” button at the top and select “Story.”
   
3. Create and edit your story.
   
4. Tap the “Close Friends” button at the bottom of your screen when you’re done.
   

Other Circle Colors on Instagram Stories

We already talked about the gradient reddish, the pale grey, and the green circle around Instagram Stories. But did you know that you might come across other colors, too? During time-limited events, using the event stickers in your story will give a unique, colorful rim to your icon. For instance, Pride Month stickers will give you a rainbow circle. A purple-red gradient circle with a “Live” tag means the person is broadcasting an Instagram Live.

Additional FAQs

Will my friends know I’ve added or removed them from my Close Friends list?

No, Instagram doesn’t notify users when someone adds or removes them from their Close Friends list. However, they will know they are on your list when you post a private story and the green circle appears. If you often post private stories, the users you remove might get a hunch that they are no longer on your list.

Can I change the circle of my Instagram Stories?

There is no setting that allows you to change the circle around your Instagram Stories. However, your Story circle will change color when you post a Close Friends Story, hold an Instagram Live, or use an active event sticker.

Make Your Friends Feel Special With a Green Circle

A green circle around an Instagram Story is much more than just an aesthetic feature. It signifies that the person posting considers you a close friend. The Close Friends feature on Instagram allows you to stay authentic and keep in touch with your friends even if you don’t feel like sharing something with the majority of your followers.

Have you created a Close Friends list on Instagram yet? Is there anything you’d change about this feature? Let us know in the comments section below.