Instagram is currently experimenting with a new feature known as Flipside, which enables users to create a distinct and private space within their accounts. This space is designed for sharing more authentic and personal photos with a carefully selected group of friends.
The feature is closely tied to the colloquial term “Finsta,” representing alternative Instagram accounts where users showcase genuine aspects of their lives instead of the polished images shared on their public profiles. Instagram’s goal with Flipside is to streamline the process of sharing additional personal content with a specific group of friends, eliminating the need for a separate account or one beyond parental controls, as reported by the Arab Tech News Portal.
Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer, discovered this feature during its development stages, noting that it was initially referred to as “Your Space.”
According to screenshots, Flipside essentially introduces a new section within a user’s account, visible exclusively to the chosen friends. Instagram emphasizes, “Flipside is like a new space for you and your friends only, where only the people you choose can see this side of your account and what you post here.”
Within this designated space, users can share photos and videos with a select group, accessible by scrolling down within the account to unveil the private side.
Instagram has confirmed that Flipside is currently in the early prototype stage and hasn’t progressed to public testing yet.
This feature aligns with Instagram’s ongoing commitment to providing users with more options for tailoring content for their close friends. The “Close Friends” feature, initially created for sharing private stories, expanded last November to include main feed posts.
While Flipside creates a private enclave for these posts within a user’s account, it distinguishes itself from the main feed.
The introduction of Flipside could present a challenge to competing social applications that cater to users seeking a private space for sharing candid photos among friends, such as BeReal and Locket. Instagram’s feature might also attract users who previously relied on the no-longer-available Circles feature or similar private sharing networks.
It’s noteworthy that the term “Finsta” has garnered attention in recent years, leading to questions from U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal during a congressional hearing. The senator inquired about Instagram’s stance on these accounts, suggesting that the platform may benefit from the younger generation’s desire to maintain private accounts without their parents’ knowledge.
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