Instagram users can now see when their friends are online. The latest version of the mobile app includes a presence feature, placing a green dot next to the account names of those who are actively using the app. The idea is meant to encourage private conversations through Instagram’s direct messaging functionality.
Instagram says people will only see the real-time online status of friends who follow them back, or who have traded messages with them before. People can hide their own status and turn off the ability to see others’ status if they so wish.
The new feature is reaching mobile devices over the days ahead.
