3 min read
Instagram is quietly testing a profile change that could reshape how users interpret popularity, influence, and connection on the platform and it is already prompting mixed reactions from early observers.
Several users have reported seeing a modified profile layout in which the traditional “Following” count is replaced with a new label “Friends.” Instead of showing how many accounts a user follows, the updated display highlights the number of people who mutually follow each other, effectively surfacing reciprocal relationships rather than one way interests.
The experiment was first spotted by app researcher Radu Oncescu in November, who shared screenshots showing the altered profile metrics. Instagram has since confirmed the test to Business Insider, describing it as a limited experiment aimed at understanding whether emphasizing mutual connections changes how people engage with profiles.
In a statement, Instagram said:
“Friends are central to the Instagram experience, so we’re exploring ways to make these connections more visible and meaningful.”
The rationale aligns with how Instagram itself says the platform is now used. Chief executive Adam Mosseri has repeatedly noted that the majority of meaningful interaction on Instagram has shifted away from public feeds and into private messages. In that context, mutual follows may better reflect genuine engagement than a raw following count that includes celebrities, brands, or accounts that never follow back.
Still, the change is not without consequences. Publicly visible following lists currently serve as a discovery tool, allowing users to browse who someone follows to find new creators, topics, or communities worth exploring. Replacing that list with mutual connections could reduce this discovery surface, especially for niche interests where influential accounts often do not follow users back.
The update would also alter how follower to following ratios are perceived. Today, having far more followers than accounts followed is often interpreted as a signal of influence or authority. A shift toward highlighting mutual relationships could weaken that signal and instead emphasize community closeness. In theory, an account with fewer total followers but a high proportion of mutual connections might appear more relevant within a tight social circle.
Whether that is a healthier metric remains an open question. Some observers argue that it could encourage more authentic interaction and discourage performative follower counts. Others are unconvinced that mutual follows are a meaningful replacement for interest based discovery or visibility.
Instagram has not indicated whether the test will expand or become a permanent feature, and it remains unclear if users would ultimately be able to choose between displaying “Following” or “Friends.”
