Instagram’s Latest Update Adds Reposts and a Snap Map Clone
Instagram is copying the core features of three other social networks in one massive update . It’s adding a Snapchat-like Snap card, a “Repost” feature clearly inspired by X (but implemented in a TikTok-style), and, to top it all off, it’s launching a TikTok-style “Friends” feed worldwide. That’s a lot to take in, so let’s break it down.
Videos and reposts
Reposts are finally coming to your Instagram profile. The new repost feature will allow anyone to repost public videos or posts to their own page, without having to use the old Instagram Story workaround . They’ll show up in your friends’ feeds, but unlike other sites, reposts won’t be added to your regular profile posts, but will instead be placed in a new “Reposts” tab. Like sharing a quote on X, you can also add your own comments to your reposts, which will appear in a small bubble above them. To manage reposts of your posts, go to Settings & Actions > Sharing & Reposting .
Welcome to the Instagram map
Instagram’s new Map feature will allow users to share their last active location with friends on an interactive map that the site can use to promote location-based content. It’s similar to Snapchat’s Snap Map feature, but with one major difference. Snapchat lets you share your location even when you’re not using the app, but Instagram limits location updates to when the app is actively running. It’s also important to note that location sharing is turned off by default, so you’ll need to manually turn it on (under Messages > Map > Settings ) to publish your location on Instagram’s map.
Instagram hopes users will use the Map feature to schedule meetings, but I’m personally looking forward to using it to make sure I’m not too close to my followers. Instagram will also show location-enabled Stories on the Map page, so if your friend or favorite local influencer posts about a new coffee shop, it will appear there too, and you won’t even need to enable location access to see it. Likewise, users can share notes or short messages directly on the map.
Reels’ Friends tab goes global
Meta has already tested a separate Friends feed for the Reels tab in the US, but it’s now rolling it out globally. If you’ve ever wanted a single place to see all the weird feeds your friends have liked and commented on, this is it. Only feeds your friends have created, commented on, commented on, or reposted will appear here. But if you want some extra privacy, Meta says it’s working on ways to hide your likes and comments from showing up in this feed, as well as mute notifications from specific friends. The Friends tab lives right above the Reels screen, though I haven’t found the new privacy settings yet—it’ll likely take a while for them to roll out to everyone.