Instagram Wants You To Enter Secret Codes To View Posts

Summary: Instagram is now working on a new locked posts feature. It will allow creators to lock their posts behind a secret code. This could be another way for creators to make their posts exclusive.

Don’t you love it when you’re trying to view a post from your favorite Instagram creator, and you have to enter a secret code like you’re a character in a video game? No? Well, that could be a possibility soon.

Instagram is not shy about testing weird features that change the experience. This next one is definitely weird, but it might make the platform more fun for creators and fans. That is, if the creators don’t abuse it.

Instagram is testing a locked post feature

At this point, there’s still some information that we don’t know about this feature. However, the company officially teased it, so we know that it’s coming soon.

The social media app is testing a feature that will let creators lock their posts. In order to unlock them, you’ll need to enter a secret code. That’s a rather odd mechanic. Instagram tested this out for people by posting a teaser reel and locking it. Users can unlock it by typing the code “threads”. When they unlock it, they’ll see the text “Coming Soon” all over the screen. So, we won’t need to wait long for it.

While we don’t know too much about this feature, this test reel reveals a little about the codes. It shows that you won’t be restricted to numerical codes. Also, “Threads” has seven letters in it, so you’ll be able to create codes at least as long as that. We don’t know if they’ll be case-sensitive.

This post also tells us that Reels will be lockable. We don’t know if it will work for all types of posts, including pictures or longer videos. Lastly, we don’t know what Instagram will do to keep people from posting the code online for the world to see. It’ll be easy to set up a group message and post the codes for everyone.

What is this feature for?

Social Samosa on X made a post about this feature, and the post reads, “this feature hints at new ways for creators and brands to drive exclusivity, community engagement, and off-platform interactions.” The fact that it could drive exclusivity is pretty odd, as Instagram already lets users put their posts behind a paywall. So, we’ll just have to see how Instagram creators use locked posts.