INSTAGRAM'S NEW FRIENDS TAB EXPOSES YOUR MUTUAL FOLLOWERS — Quick Facts
Instagram's new Friends tab shows mutual followers on profiles, triggering privacy concerns as users can't disable the feature. Meta pushes social discovery despite backlash.
Key Data Points
- Instagram's Friends tab now replaces post counts on profiles, showing mutual followers with no option to disable
- The rollout adds to existing Friends tab in Reels that shows what content your connections liked and commented on
- Users report feeling uncomfortable with forced transparency about their social connections and mutual followers
Frequently Asked
- Can you disable Instagram's new Friends tab on your profile?
- No, there is no toggle, hidden setting, or workaround to disable Instagram's new Friends tab. Meta appears to be rolling this out as a permanent, mandatory change with no option to make it optional.
- What is the difference between Instagram's Friends tab in Reels and the profile Friends tab?
- The Reels Friends tab shows public content your connections liked, commented on, reposted, or posted, launched globally in 2025. The profile Friends tab is different and more invasive—it displays only your mutual followers directly on your profile.
- What does Instagram's Friends tab show on your profile?
- Instagram's new Friends tab shows your mutual followers—people who follow you back. It replaces post counts on profiles and displays this information with no option to hide it from viewers.
- Why are Instagram users unhappy about the new Friends tab?
- Users report feeling uncomfortable with forced transparency about their social connections and mutual followers, with some finding it depressing or awkward. Family members and other viewers can now easily see their mutual connections without consent.
- Is Instagram's new Friends tab part of Meta's broader strategy?
- Yes, the Friends tab rollout appears to be part of Meta's strategy to pivot Instagram back toward more intimate social connections rather than the influencer-and-celebrity-follow model that has dominated for years.