Instagram is taking a bold step into Snapchat’s territory with the global rollout of its newest feature, Instagram Map, designed to reshape how users connect, discover, and explore through location-based sharing.

Meta-owned Instagram has unveiled a new feature called Instagram Map, enabling users to share their latest app activity location, explore content tied to physical places, and leave brief messages, all layered across an interactive map. This update, reminiscent of Snapchat’s popular Snap Map, signals Instagram’s intent to dominate the social mapping space.

Snapchat in the Crosshairs

This isn’t Instagram’s first attempt at adopting a winning formula from its competitors. After successfully cloning Snapchat’s Stories feature back in 2016, the new Instagram Map is clearly aimed at Snap Map, which boasts over 400 million monthly active users.

However, Instagram’s version comes with a few notable differences. Unlike Snap Map’s option for real-time tracking, Instagram Map updates a user’s location only when they open the app, and location sharing is disabled by default. Users must opt in, and updates remain visible only temporarily.

For those seeking more persistent location sharing, Instagram continues to offer real-time updates via Direct Messages (DMs), but only for up to one hour, unlike Snap Map and Apple’s Find My, which support continuous sharing.

More Than Just Location: Discovery Meets Engagement

Instagram Map is more than just a location tracker. It’s designed to deepen user engagement by blending location data with social content. Users can:

• See location-tagged stories and reels from friends or favourite creators.

• Explore new places such as restaurants, events, or tourist spots through posts and interactions from people in their network.

• Drop “Notes” on the map; short messages that were previously only visible in the DM inbox now appear on the interactive map as well.

Instagram believes this will make spontaneous meetups, group plans, and content discovery smoother and more personalised.

A Nod to Zenly Fans

The launch could also fill a void left by Zenly, a beloved social map app that Snap acquired and controversially shut down in 2023. Instagram Map may draw users who miss Zenly’s visually rich, real-world sharing experience.

The feature is initially rolling out in the United States, with international expansion on the horizon. It’s located at the top of the DM inbox, emphasising Instagram’s strategy to merge social connections with physical proximity.

More Updates: Reposts and Reels “Friends” Tab 

Instagram isn’t stopping at maps. Two additional features are rolling out:

Reposts Tab

Inspired by TikTok and Twitter’s former “retweet” feature, Instagram now lets users repost reels and feed posts. These reposts appear in a dedicated “Reposts” tab on your profile and may also surface in your friends’ feeds.

Users can add personal notes to reposts, offering context or commentary before sharing.

Global Launch of the “Friends” Tab in Reels

After debuting in the U.S. earlier this year, the “Friends” tab is now going global. This feature curates a personalised reel feed based on what your friends have liked, commented on, reposted, or created.

Privacy-conscious users can opt out by hiding their activity from this tab or muting updates from specific people.

Every now and then, Instagram rolls out updates that make minor tweaks to the app. But this time, it’s much bigger. Instagram is evolving on a larger scale than ever before, introducing changes that are redefining the platform itself.

With the Map, Repost, and Friends option, Instagram is now competing with a wide range of apps. But only time will tell if these updates actually work for the users!

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