Over the last couple of years, there has been a significant decline in users posting on Instagram. As a result, the photo-sharing platform is constantly exploring innovative new ways to encourage users to start uploading content on their feeds again. One such way is “Flipside,” a new feature that allows users to have a second profile that is only accessible to close friends. The concept— which tacitly aims at getting rid of “finstas” (fake Instagrams)— wants to provide account-holders with more privacy all while centralizing all the different facets of their e-identity into one place.
At beta level and only available to a select few around the world, the new feature allows users to toggle between their polished and unfiltered selves whenever they want to without having to create another account. With the possibility to share more personal content exclusively with their inner circle via another username, profile picture, and bio, the update aims to grant users greater flexibility and control over how they want to be seen and most importantly, by whom they are being looked at.
Unlocking the feature is indicated by a key icon within the grid, making it easier to switch between your public and private page without having to change accounts completely. And though the addition is garnering plenty of commendable attention, many are wondering how useful the feature will actually be given the myriad of already existing avenues to post content intended for those you hold closer to your heart.
Months ago, the META-owned social media site had already announced a new in-app tool that allowed users to post pictures, videos, or reels, with a green star icon just above them, making them invisible for those who aren’t part of your Close Friends list. Already available for Stories since 2018, one can only wonder how different Flipside can be and whether this new cloak of invisibility can actually shield us more from prying eyes or whether it simply adds another layer to our tangled web of online personas.
Under development for several months, an official release date for the full launch of Flipside remains undisclosed. However, some users have already noticed the feature on their accounts, suggesting a gradual rollout process already underway and hinting at a soft launch strategy to test its functionality and gather user feedback before a wider release to the public.
