Instagram is experimenting with a new feature that brings a fresh twist to location sharing, drawing comparisons to Snapchat’s Snap Maps. This upcoming tool allows users to post text and video updates on a map based on their location. You’ll be able to share these updates with friends and view all your friends’ posts from a specific location in one convenient place.
One key difference between Instagram’s new feature and Snap Maps is privacy. On Instagram, you can control who sees your updates by sharing them with “Close Friends” or followers you follow back. This is a more private option compared to Snap Maps, where posts can be visible to the broader Snapchat community.
Currently, this feature is being tested in a few select markets, and participation is opt-in. This means that users who want to try it out will need to actively choose to use it.
This isn’t the first time Instagram has dabbled with location-based features. Back in February, there were reports about a “friend map” feature in the works. Instagram also had a map-based photo feature in 2012, but it was private and could not be shared. That feature was eventually discontinued in 2016 due to low usage.
Instagram has a history of incorporating popular features from other apps. Its Reels and Stories, for instance, were inspired by TikTok and Snapchat, respectively. Recently, Elon Musk criticized Instagram’s Threads app, accusing it of copying Twitter and even threatening legal action over alleged misuse of Twitter’s intellectual property.
As Instagram continues to innovate, it’s clear that the platform is keen on offering users new ways to share and connect. The new location-sharing feature could be another exciting addition, providing a unique way for friends to interact with each other’s updates based on where they are in the world.
