Instagram launches new interactive map: Take on Snap Map
Instagram launches location-sharing maps, lets you discover content by location, and introduces Reposts and a global Friends tab.
Instagram launches new interactive map: A direct competitor to Snap Map?
The new map feature Instagram Map was officially deployed by Meta in the US from Wednesday, allowing users to share their nearest location and explore content by location. This is considered a step to compete directly with Snap Map, a feature that currently has more than 400 million users per month.
Instagram Map is disabled by default and only updates location each time the user opens the app. While it doesn't support real-time location updates like Snap Map or Apple's Find My, it does allow location sharing for up to an hour via direct messages.
Explore content by location and pin “Notes” on the map
With Instagram Map, users can:
See stories, reels, or posts friends and creators have posted in a specific location.
Discover activities like festivals, restaurants, and events in the area in real time.
Pin “Notes” – short messages (similar to status) – directly on the map for friends to see.
This new feature promises to attract users who once loved Zenly, the social mapping app that Snap acquired and shut down in 2023.
“Reposts” feature: Instagram learns from TikTok and X
Alongside the map, Instagram also introduced Reposts, a feature that lets users reshare posts and reels publicly.
Reposts will appear in your friends' feeds and in the Reposts tab on your profile.
Users can add short notes when reposting to express their feelings or thoughts.
This feature is considered a combination of Twitter's retweet (X) and sharing content on TikTok.
The “Friends” tab in Reels rolls out globally
After testing in the US, Instagram is officially expanding the “Friends” tab on Reels globally. This tab displays:
Reels that friends have liked, commented on, shared, or created themselves.
Helps users easily track their friends' activities and content tastes.
Users can hide their interaction activity, including likes, comments, and shares, if they want to maintain privacy. Instagram also offers the option to turn off activity for specific people.
