Meta-owned Instagram has confirmed that it is testing a new feature called ‘Flipside’ that will allow users to create a secondary profile to share private posts with close friends and family.
Instagram Is Testing New ‘Flipside’ Feature
This experimental feature essentially aims to convert users’ separate, private, and more personal accounts or “finstas” (fake Instas) into an official product feature directly integrated into the photo sharing platform.
The functionality of the new feature lets users create a more private section within their main public profile with a unique profile picture, name, and bio for sharing content with a selected group of friends or family without the need to create an entirely separate account. It will be associated with a user’s primary account.
Moreover, Instagram users can select particular friends to gain access to this space and also “remove everyone” from their Flipside. In addition, users also might have the option to “remove everyone” from their Flipside.
However, Instagram Head, Adam Mosseri, expressed uncertainty regarding the potential release of Flipside to the general public and said that they are evaluating user feedback during the testing phase.
“We’re not even sure we’ll launch it on Instagram. On one hand it feels good to create a clear space that feels more private. On the other, it’s yet another way to reach a smaller audience on top of secondary accounts and Close Friends. We’ll see how people respond in the test, and iterate forward,” Mosseri wrote on Threads on Friday in response to a user who asked if Flipside would be brought to Instagram’s Threads app.
Despite being unsure about the launch, Meta confirmed to TechCrunch that the feature is in testing. “We’re always working on new ways to help people connect with friends on Instagram. We heard people want more options for sharing in private spaces, so are excited to start testing a new feature where you can create a custom profile, including a custom name, bio and photo and share exclusive content with a smaller group of followers,” it added.
