Instagram has announced the launch of several new features aimed at making it easier for users to connect with friends on the platform. The update includes the introduction of reposts, an interactive map, and a new “Friends” tab in Reels.
With the new repost feature, users can now share public reels and feed posts directly to their own followers. These reposts will appear both in followers’ feeds and in a separate tab on the user’s profile. Instagram says this function is designed to help people share content they enjoy more easily.
Reposts will credit the original creator, which may help creators reach a wider audience. According to Instagram, “if your content is reposted by someone else, it may be recommended to that person’s followers, even if those people don’t follow you.” To use this feature, users can tap the repost icon and add a note before sharing.
Another addition is the Instagram map. This tool allows users to opt in to sharing their last active location with selected friends. Users have full control over who sees their location and can turn off sharing at any time. The map also displays content from friends and creators based on tagged locations.
Instagram emphasizes privacy controls for this feature: “You choose who you share your location with: friends (followers you follow back), Close Friends, Only selected friends, or no one.” Parents supervising teens will receive notifications if their child starts sharing their location and can manage these settings.
The map shows reels, posts, stories from followed accounts (available for 24 hours after posting), as well as notes from mutual follows (also available for 24 hours). The map feature is being rolled out first in the United States before expanding globally.
A third update is the Friends tab within Reels. This section highlights public content that friends have interacted with or recommendations from Blends—a collaborative playlist-like feature—making it easier for users to see what their close contacts are enjoying. Controls are included so users can hide their own likes and comments or mute activity bubbles from specific accounts.
These updates reflect ongoing efforts by Instagram’s parent company Meta to enhance social connection features across its platforms (https://about.fb.com/news/2024/04/meta-q1-2024-results/).
“People have always come to Instagram to share what they’re up to and where they are. Now, with reposts, the map, and the ‘Friends’ tab in Reels, it’s easier for you and your friends to stay in touch through the content you’re enjoying on Instagram,” said an official statement from Instagram.
The Friends tab is now available globally after an initial rollout earlier this year.