Top 3 Key Points:
- Instagram is testing a new feature called “Friend Map,” similar to Snapchat’s Snap Maps.
- The feature allows users to share their location and updates with mutual followers or close friends.
- The rollout of this feature is still in the testing phase, with no confirmed release date for everyone.
Instagram is taking a page from Snapchat’s playbook by testing a new location-sharing feature called “Friend Map.” This feature, which resembles Snapchat’s popular Snap Maps, is currently being tested on a small group of users, according to Christine Pai, a spokesperson for Meta.
Snap Maps, a well-loved feature on Snapchat, allows users to share their location with friends and see their friends’ locations on a map. Instagram’s version, Friend Map, will offer similar capabilities, enabling users to share their location and post text or video updates. However, this feature is limited to mutual followers or those in your Close Friends list. Unlike Snapchat, Instagram’s Friend Map doesn’t allow for public sharing, keeping your location more private.
Interestingly, Instagram had a location-based map feature over a decade ago, but it was entirely private and eventually discontinued due to low usage. With the rise of location-sharing tools on other platforms, Instagram’s new Friend Map could bring back this concept with a more social twist.
As of now, there’s no official timeline for when Friend Map will be available to all users. Meta is known for thoroughly testing new features before a wide release, so it could be several months before you see this feature on your app.
