Instagram turns to Facebook roots with university-based groupings

When Facebook started off it was essentially an online yearbook based entirely on where you went to college -- you could only log in if you had a .edu email address.

In the intervening 14 years the social media platform has changed the digital landscape (to put it mildly), acquired other networks like Instagram, and moved far from its university-based networks. But now Instagram is considering a feature very similar to Facebook's early days.

A new feature reportedly being tested allows student 'grammers to join networks or special communities based on their school affiliation.

A CNBC report on Friday showed invites asking students to join university community lists and "connect with other students." It's supposed to be a tool for current students, so alumni groups can stick to LinkedIn and Facebook.

If you do join, you can add your university and expected graduation year to your profile -- very reminiscent of early Facebook. Now it's only optional to include education information on your Facebook profile.

We reached out to Instagram for more information about the new school-focused feature.

Other than both launching at the start of the school year, the new Instagram feature is nothing like the new Tinder U dating app, which allows college students to search for matches within a geo-located area as long as they have active .edu email addresses.

UPDATE: Aug. 27, 2018, 10:19 a.m. PDT Instagram shared more about the new feature that the network says will make it easier to find other people in your school community.

The test feature is only in early stages and will continue to change. As of now it's opt-in and works similarly to Instagram Direct with messages from people you don't follow going into a pending inbox -- even if someone is part of your school network.