Instagram has launched its Map feature in India, enabling users to customise their location-sharing options. It allows users to share their most recent active location and search for posts tagged with specific locations, as well as better privacy controls that let them choose which friends or groups are visible. Notably, profile photographs will no longer show above tagged content, and the functionality was influenced by Snapchat’s Snap Map, which improves location-based sharing.
In August, Meta introduced Instagram Map, a tool aimed at improving connectivity among friends. It is currently being offered in India, with enhanced user education and experience. Users can choose to share their last active location with selected friends and can disable this feature at any time. The map lets users explore postings from friends and favourite creators who have shared content from popular locations, providing an easy way to interact.
To improve clarity regarding location sharing on the map, a new prominent and persistent indicator has been added to the top of the interface. This feature reminds users if they are sharing their location or if their device’s location services have been turned off. Furthermore, an indicator beneath the user’s profile photo in the Notes tray will notify users if they are not sharing their location. The Instagram map can be seen at the top of your direct message inbox.
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According to feedback, several users wrongly assumed that sharing content with a tagged location meant actively showing their location on the map. In response, the design has been adjusted to prevent profile pictures from showing atop shared content, emphasising that sharing tagged content does not equate to disclosing one’s actual location.
Furthermore, note that adding a location tag to your stories, reels, or posts will make them appear on the Map. Meta included a preview feature to help you understand how your location-tagged content will appear on the Map. This preview will show you how your content appears on the Map after you add a location to your Instagram posts.
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Location sharing is disabled by default, and users have to opt in. Users can control their sharing preferences by selecting specific groups such as friends, Close Friends, certain selected friends, or opting out entirely. Location sharing may be customised for specific locations or persons. When the app is accessed or reopened, the location is updated, and users may stop sharing at any point. Parents in supervisory roles can track their teen’s location sharing by receiving notifications when their kid starts sharing their location, which encourages discussions about safe sharing practices. In addition, parents can control which contacts their teen shares their location with.
