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What Does CFL Mean on Instagram?

Published May 28, 2024

There are many different kinds of abbreviations used by people on Instagram today. Writing in shorthand is appealing for people looking to write a comment or caption quickly, and has resulted in abbreviations like CFL catching on.

What does CFL mean on Instagram? That is what we will go over in this article. What is slightly confusing is that there are two different meanings for CFL when it’s used on Instagram, but we will go over both in depth.

Meaning 1: CFL = Close Friends List

What does CFL mean on Instagram Stories? The answer is Close Friends List.

This would be a list that is created by you that contains only the people you are the closest to. When you do this, only the people on your CFL will be able to view your Stories. The benefit of this is that your Stories are more private and not viewable by anyone with an Instagram account. If you ever share something that is very personal or makes you feel vulnerable, you may consider having a CFL for your Stories.

When to Use CFL for Stories

There are a few different reasons for using a CFL for your Stories. Here are some of the most common ones:

Personal & Vulnerable Details

If you want to share Stories that have details about your life you would only like close friends and family knowing about, having a CFL is perfect for you. This will let you be more open when you share a Story since you will know that only a select group of people can view it. If you had a rough day and want to vent your frustration or sadness out just to those who would understand and not be overwhelmed, you can use a CFL.

Exclusive Events

Another helpful use-case for a CFL is when you want to share news about a private event, or when you would like to make an exclusive announcement. Whether it’s a birthday party for a close friend, a proposal to a romantic partner, or something else, a CFL is a great way to share about these.

Location Details

You may not want the entire world knowing where you are whenever you’re sharing a Story from your day. Regardless of whether it’s due to concerns over stalkers, needing to keep your location secret for a surprise, or something else, using a CFL can protect you from revealing where you are.

Meaning 2: CFL = Caption for Likes

What does CFL mean on Instagram Posts? The answer is Caption for Likes.

When CFL is used to abbreviate this, it is a call to others to like your post. This is sometimes done by people to receive greater engagement with their content. Since Instagram’s algorithm takes into account how many likes posts get, instructing followers to do so can improve engagement and reach.

When to Use CFL for Posts

There is an optimal way to use CFL on posts when asking to get more likes. The key is to avoid demanding engagement without saying anything else. Make sure your caption is exciting and creative. Ideally, it will reflect your personality and style. Insert a CFL call to action cleverly into the rest of your caption and enjoy your increased engagement.

Conclusion

Now that you know what CFL means on Instagram, you can use it as a Close Friends List for your Stories or a call to action that means Caption for Likes. However you use this abbreviation, you can now leverage its power for greater privacy and increased engagement.

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Written By:
AUTHOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jessica is a consultant, researcher, and the editor-in-chief of the Buzzoid blog, who specializes in social media, marketing, and digital strategy. She is a graduate of Antioch College and earned her MBA at Boston College’s Carroll Graduate School of Management, specializing in STEM Management.

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