Instagram has launched a new "Instagram Map" feature, similar to Snap Map, allowing users to share their location with friends and discover location-based content. Instagram head Adam Mosseri is addressing concerns about privacy, clarifying that location sharing is off by default and requires explicit consent.
Users can access Instagram Map through their DMs and choose who can see their location: Friends, Close Friends, select users, or no one. The map displays locations of friends who have shared their location and location-tagged Stories and Reels from followed accounts. Even with location sharing turned off, users can still see location-based content.
Location updates occur only when the app is open or running in the background, unlike Snap Map's real-time updates. Users can also leave ephemeral messages called "Notes" on the map. Accessing the feature for the first time will trigger a pop-up explaining location sharing settings.