Instagram Adds Live Location Sharing In DMs

Meta is evolving its Instagram platform as a holistic communication channel by adding live location sharing, sticker packs, and nicknames.

Instagram is turning into a complete communication channel for its users by removing dependencies on other applications for a wider range of requirements. One of its recent actions aligned with this motive is the launch of the live location-sharing feature. Users can now share their live locations with friends, family, and followers through DMs for a temporary period.

This feature can also be used by influencers and celebrities who conduct offline meetups, events, and other dynamic engagements. The live location is shared securely with the receiver and can be sent one-to-one privately or in group chats as well. Those who do not follow the user in a group.

The feature added in DMs follows two new additions of sticker packs and nicknames. The new sticker packs unlock more informal expressions and include regional emotions. The newly launched collection includes 17 sticker packs and over 300 stickers. Users can also mark stickers they receive as their favorites to reuse them later.

Another addition in the primary stage is the AI-generated stickers feature, which allows Instagram users to create stickers directly in the DMs by tagging Meta and sharing text prompts. Users can also make cutouts from images in the chats or their phone gallery to make personalized stickers.

The nickname feature can be a game-changer for Instagram. Users can now give nicknames to themselves and others in DMs, including group chats. The highlight of the nickname feature is nickname rejection. While the feature can improve personalized connections, it can also trigger users negatively. That’s why the given nicknames can be rejected, and certain users can also be locked out of giving nicknames to them.

“People are using messages more than the create button,” said Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s Head, indicating the reason behind new innovations focused on the DMs. The company is also testing a new placement for the chat icon at the bottom and center of the app.