Instagram will now show a 'green dot' on profile pictures to show you who is onlineJuly 20 (AZINS) Instagram is really making it difficult to leave the interface. The Facebook-owned service will now show users when you are online.

If you are active on Instagram, your friends will be able to see a green dot next to your profile picture in various spaces within the app, including the Direct inbox and your friend list when you share a post from feed.

Instagram mentioned in a blog, “DMing friends and connecting over the content you love is more fun when you know your friends are there to see it. This update gives you the ability to have more of those realtime conversations while giving you the control to hide your status altogether.”

You will only see status for friends who follow you or people who you have talked to in Direct. If you are not happy with this feature, you can hide your own status and turn off the ability to see when your friends are active from your Settings option.

Instagram is also testing a new feature that will give public account holders more control over followers. The new feature will allow users with an open account to remove followers while maintaining their public account. When a person removes someone from the followers list, Instagram won’t send them a notification thereby keeping things discreet and flexible at the same time.

The portal is also considering allowing the blue tick enthusiasts to get their profiles verified. The new 'request verification' process comes with an official request form that is accessible within the app for non-verified users. Using the feature, one will be able to provide account information and a copy of their ID to request the verification. It is to be noted that the blue tick is mentioned as reserved for notable public figure, celebrity, or global brand.