Instagram is introducing a repost feature, a new Map for location sharing, and a global "Friends" tab for Reels. These updates, inspired by other social apps, enhance user connectivity and content discovery.
In a recent post, Meta announced the launch of new Instagram features that will make users interact and engage with one another in new ways: Reposts, a fresh Instagram Map, and an international expansion of the "Friends" tab on Reels. These features, announced in their official capacity and outlined in a reel from Platform Head, Adam Mosseri, aim to make Instagram a more engaging and socially-focused experience.
Reposts: A New Way to Share Content
Instagram's reposts function similarly to TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). The new feature lets users re-share public Reels and feed posts to their followers' feeds directly. Reposted items will also have a standalone Reposts tab on a user's account, which will help differentiate between original and reposted content.
This feature allows the user to share their interest easily. For content creators, it is a feature meant to broaden their audience, since any respective content may be recommended to a new audience. Users can also add a short note to a repost before posting.
Instagram Map: A Location-Based Discovery Tool
The new Instagram Map is Instagram's latest copy of a popular Snapchat feature, letting users share their last active location with friends. The feature is located at the top of your DM inbox. One difference from Snap Map is that location sharing is turned off by default, and your location only refreshes when you launch the app, rather than in real-time.
The map is also a discovery feature, enabling you to discover location-based content, including Reels and Stories, posted by your friends and favorite accounts. You can also post short messages, or "Notes," on the map for others to view.
The new map feature is officially launching this Wednesday in the U.S., which isn't a surprise since it was spotted in development last year. A global release is expected to follow shortly. Though this new map feature isn't real-time, it's interesting to point out that Instagram does have real-time location sharing through DMs. However, unlike apps like Apple's Find My or Snap Map, which can have locations shared for an unlimited amount of time, Instagram's real-time location sharing through DMs is capped at a time of up to an hour.
"Friends" Tab in Reels Now Global
Instagram's "Friends" section in Reels, initially tested in the U.S., is now global. The new section inside the Reels tab lets you view public content your friends liked, commented, reposted, or posted. To alleviate privacy issues, people can choose not to have activity displayed in this section and also mute activity from particular folks they follow. This aspect is meant to enable users to view what their near contacts are interested in and stimulate discussions based on common interests.
