Instagram is shifting focus to make the app more about personal connections. In its latest update, Meta has introduced three new tools for its most popular platform aimed at boosting interaction between friends: Reposts for Reels and feed posts, a location-sharing Instagram Map, and a new “Friends” tab in the Reels section.
Here’s a closer look at what’s new.
1. Reposts for Reels and Feed Posts
Instagram now allows users to repost public Reels and feed posts, similar to sharing on other platforms. Reposted content gets its own tab on your profile. It can also be suggested to your followers, giving creators wider reach beyond their usual audience.
To repost something:
- Tap the repost icon
- Optionally, add a note using a thought bubble before confirming
- The repost will always credit the original creator
2. Instagram Map with Location Sharing
The new Instagram Map lets users share their last active location with selected friends. This is an opt-in feature, and privacy settings are fully customisable. You can choose to:
- Share your location with mutual followers, close friends, or specific people
- Exclude certain people or places
- Turn location sharing on or off at any time
Parents using Instagram’s supervision tools will also be able to manage their child’s location settings, including receiving alerts if sharing is activated.
The map also acts as a content discovery tool, showing Reels, posts, stories, and notes tagged to nearby locations. Currently, the feature is available in the US only, with a global rollout on the way.
3. New “Friends” Tab in Reels
A brand new Friends tab now lives inside Reels. This section shows you:
- Reels your friends have liked, commented on, reposted, or created
- Content shared through Blends
- A quick way to start conversations directly from a Reel
New privacy tools are also included. Users can now hide their activity — like likes or comments — or mute updates from specific followers.
Instagram’s shift toward community-based interaction aligns with wider changes across Meta platforms. And speaking of other Meta products — WhatsApp Business users have recently seen some changes as well.
