If you're an avid Instagram user and frequently check your profile, you've probably noticed a small but significant change. Instagram is testing a new feature that could completely change the way you view your profile. Until now, you'd only see your 'Followers' and 'Following' numbers on your profile, but now many users are seeing a new 'Friends' tab on their profile.

This change isn't just a name change, but there's a deeper purpose behind it. Let's explore what this new "Friends" count means and how it will impact your social media life.

What is this new 'Friends' feature?

Simply put, Instagram now counts people who mutually follow each other as "friends." Meaning, if you follow someone and they follow you back, they'll be added to your "Friends" list.

Until now, the "Following" list included everyone you follow—whether they're friends, celebrities, or brands. But the new "Friends" tab will only show people with whom you have a two-way connection.

Why is Instagram making such a change?

Instagram believes that 'friends' are the center of any social media experience. There appear to be three main reasons behind this change:

Emphasis on personal connection: In the last few years, Instagram has been flooded with influencers and advertisements. In such a situation, posts from real friends get lost somewhere. Through the 'Friends' feature, Instagram wants you to feel more connected with your real loved ones.

Growing craze of DMs (Direct Messages): Instagram head Adam Mosseri himself has admitted that now people are more active in personal messages (DMs) rather than posting in the feed. 'Friends' count shows with whom you actually interact.

New measure of popularity: Until now, people used to measure popularity by the follower-to-following ratio. But now, the friends count will show how active a community or community closeness you actually have.

Will the 'Following' list disappear completely?

This is currently part of a global test. For some users, the "Friends" tab has replaced "Post Count" on their profiles, while for others, it's added as a third option alongside "Followers" and "Following." It's difficult to say whether the old "Following" option will be completely phased out, but it's clear that Instagram is now prioritizing "relationships" over "numbers."

User feedback: some happy, some upset

This update is receiving mixed reactions on social media. Many say it's a depressing change. Imagine you have thousands of followers, but only 50 mutual friends. This might be off-putting to some. Meanwhile, some users see it as a good privacy boost, as they'll now be able to easily see who's actually connected with them.

This move by Instagram is taking it a little closer to Facebook, where "friends" are everything. This change reminds us that social media isn't just about gaining followers, but also about building relationships. If you're seeing this change on your profile, you're part of Instagram's unique experiment.