Instagram Rolls Out Snapchat-Inspired Map, Friends Tab, and Repost Features
Published Time: August 7, 2025, 14:00 (U.S. Eastern Time)
Instagram is launching a series of updates designed to improve how users engage with friends and discover new content. The changes include a real-time location-sharing map, a Friends tab in Reels, and a new Repost feature—marking one of the app’s most social-focused updates to date.
New Location-Sharing Map Inspired by Snapchat
Instagram has introduced a location-based map feature that mirrors Snapchat’s Snap Map functionality. Known simply as Instagram Map, this tool allows users to share their last known app activity location with selected followers.
Meta, Instagram’s parent company, clarified that users have full control over who can view their location. Options include:
- Followers you follow back
- Close Friends
- A custom list
- Or no one at all
Users can toggle location sharing on or off at any time. The feature is accessible via the top of the direct messages (DM) inbox.
In addition to showing live location information, the map lets users explore geographically tagged content from their network. Stories, Reels, and feed posts that include a tagged location may appear on the map for up to 24 hours after publication.
Parental Controls for Teen Accounts
Recognizing safety concerns, Meta has included parental control tools for teen users. If a teenager begins sharing their location on the Instagram Map, their parent or guardian will be notified. Parental permissions are required for continued access to the feature, offering a balance between social engagement and online safety.
This addition reflects Meta’s ongoing efforts to strengthen protections for younger users amid growing scrutiny from regulators and child safety advocates.
Discover What Friends Are Watching: Friends Tab in Reels
Another major component of the update is the Friends tab in Instagram Reels. This new tab lets users view:
- Public content that their friends have liked or commented on
- Reels shared through group recommendation tools, such as “Blends”
According to Meta, the goal of the Friends tab is to foster deeper connections by making it easier to follow what content friends are engaging with—without necessarily needing to message or tag each other directly.
Users retain control over what is visible in this tab. You can:
- Hide your likes and comments from appearing
- Mute the activity of certain users
- Customize notifications and visibility preferences
The Friends tab, which began limited testing earlier in 2025, is now rolling out globally. You can find it by opening the Reels section and selecting the “Friends” option at the top of the screen.
Repost Function Adds a New Way to Share Public Content
Instagram has also launched a Repost feature, enabling users to share other public Reels or feed posts directly to their followers. This function simplifies how users highlight their interests and amplify creators they admire.
Key features of the Repost update include:
- A repost icon that appears on eligible Reels and posts
- An optional “thought bubble” where users can add a brief note
- Visibility of reposted content in a dedicated profile tab
- Automatic credit to the original content creator
Reposts will show up in your followers’ feeds, even if they don’t follow the original creator, offering an additional layer of content discovery.
Meta says the repost feature is part of its strategy to keep Instagram competitive with platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), where reposting or sharing content has been widely adopted.
Why These Features Matter
Instagram’s latest updates reflect Meta’s broader push to position the platform as more than just a photo and video-sharing app. With user behaviors shifting toward private messaging, location-based interactions, and short-form video, these tools are aimed at encouraging daily engagement and enhancing real-world relevance.
Moreover, borrowing familiar features from platforms like Snapchat and TikTok suggests Meta is focused on keeping Instagram fresh while capitalizing on proven engagement models.
The emphasis on user control—whether it’s choosing who can see your location or curating what friends see from your activity—demonstrates Instagram’s awareness of growing user concerns around privacy, mental health, and content moderation.
Availability and Access
All three new features—Instagram Map, the Friends tab, and the Repost tool—are rolling out now. Depending on your region and app version, you may need to update your app to access them.
To check availability:
- Open Instagram and tap your DM inbox to find the Map.
- Navigate to the Reels section to find the new Friends tab.
- Use the repost icon on eligible public Reels and feed posts.
Meta has not confirmed when these features will be universally available, but a global rollout is expected within the coming weeks.
Final Thoughts
With the launch of location sharing, deeper content discovery, and simplified reposting, Instagram continues to evolve as a hybrid between a messaging app, a content network, and a social discovery platform. These changes represent Meta’s ambition to make Instagram more relevant to users seeking connection and creativity in a saturated social media landscape.
As always, users are encouraged to review their privacy settings regularly and explore the new tools responsibly to maintain control over their digital footprint.
Source: ZDNET – Instagram adds a Snapchat-style location map – how it works
