Here's how to check your 'Favorites' on Instagram—and no, it isn't like 'Close Friends'
It might not be the people on top of your Story viewers list either.
In September of 2021, it was speculated that Instagram will be rolling out a 'Favorites' list that allows users to see which accounts they're likely to be more engaged with according to the app's algorithm.
According to mobile developer and reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, being a part of one's 'Favorites', unlike the 'Close Friends' that users have to handpick themselves, could mean that you can finally see the types of accounts that see and interact with your profile the most, or "based on activity."
Though Instagram said that the feature was an "internal prototype" at the time, they've now quietly rolled out the feature for everyone to use. Here's how to check who your Instagram Favorites are:
1. Take note that the feature only appears on profiles with professional accounts for now.
If you have a private account, switching from a professional account will make your account automatically public, but don't worry, because you can switch from a professional to a personal setting at any time.
A professional account means that you can access profile insights, look into post analytics, and other features that can help market your account.
To change into a professional account, go to Settings > Account > and at the very bottom of the page, click "Switch to Professional Account." A series of questions will pop up after. There are no password changes or verification needed to make the switch.
2. Once you've changed into a professional account, click on the three-bar option on the upper right of your page and a 'Favorites' will appear.
4. From there, you can now see Instagram's first suggestions that are considered your 'Favorites'
As for my account, I was given a total of seven profiles that I did consider my close friends. However, it was interesting to see that they weren't necessarily the first people on my Instagram Story viewers list, nor did I talk to them regularly on the app.
One user was also someone that I recently started talking to, but they were already #4 on the list.
For extra fun, you can also ask your Favorites if you're also on their Favorites list — or if you have the same placements too.
What does it mean when someone's a Favorite?
According to the app's "How it works" button, being on someone's favorites list means you see their content first on the Instagram grid feature. Similar to the 'Close Friends' feature, the list is also private to only you. They also won't be notified when you add or remove them from the list.
