Instagram is currently one of the most popular and successful social networks. Millions of users share all kinds of content with their followers and other users on it. Its developers and team frequently surprise us with new functions and utilities. Today we will talk about Friends Map, Instagram's new feature to share location in real time.
We have seen this new function, which is rumored to be soon launched, in other apps, of course, with different names. It is expected that Friends Map keep similar performance to Snapmap, which we will talk about later. It is expected to open a new world of ways to interact with our friends and followers, sharing our location in a fun, original and dynamic way, although as we will see this may have certain implications.
Friends Map, the new Instagram function to share location
It is not a secret that when a certain function of a social network or application of any kind becomes popular, Apps with similar functionality try to create versions of it. Following this behavior, Instagram will soon launch the function Friends Map. This is an adaptation of Snapmap, of the Snapchat platform. Basically what it does is provide the possibility of sharing your location with your followers. in the social network.
A function designed to facilitate interaction
If you dedicate yourself to creating content for platforms like Instagram, surely The tools you like the most are those that help you interact better with your followers. This is precisely the objective of this new Instagram function that we will soon be able to enjoy.
You can make geolocation easier through Instagram, without having to go to other apps like WhatsApp as was done previously. This also makes it easier for you to send your friends your location, or send them to a specific place.
Another curious use that this new function is speculated to have is that of possibility to leave your location in small notes on the map. This way, your friends and followers could learn about recommendations of interesting places recommended by you, such as restaurants, shops, bars, cafes or any other you can think of.
Who would have access to your location with this new feature?
Since the news leaked, Much has been said about the new Instagram function. A common concern among users is what this could mean in terms of security. And it is that How secure can it be that millions of people can have real-time access to your location?. To do this, what is expected is that this location can be shared only with:
Those followers who you also continue.
All the users you have added in your “Best Friends” list.
Use Ghost Mode which will protect your location in real time from anyone.
When will it be available?
What is known about the functioning of Friends Map, Instagram's new location sharing feature is quite limited. So far, Meta has not given any information, or made any special announcement about the exact moment in which it will be released.
Everything we know has been thanks to Alessandro Paluzzi, an engineer dedicated to researching new features and tools that the large companies that own social networks launch before this happens. Despite this, this launch is expected to occur in the near future.
Is it really dangerous to share your location on Instagram?
These types of functions always give a lot to talk about and are usually highly questioned and controversial. Mainly because of all the risk they represent and in terms of privacy issues. When using Friends Map, and similar functions, you must take several factors into consideration. The main one of them is that exposure on social networks can be quite a problem If not, we do it intelligently and cautiously.
Something very common that content creators often face, or simply those people who regularly share information on their social networks, It's harassment and bullying. This is not only limited to this new function, but it is precisely a new form of media exposure. Offering data about your location can be really dangerous. Even more so if it reaches malicious people who can use it to track you or follow your movements.
What other new features will Instagram launch soon?
Many of the new features that Instagram has officially announced are close to launch They are related to the direct messages section of the platform. Some of the ones that have caught the most attention of users are:
It will now be possible to edit messages
In a similar way to what other messaging apps have enabled, Instagram will allow Your users can edit the messages they write privatelyeither. Of course, the time to do so will be limited, since users will only have about 15 minutes to do so.
Chats can be pinned
Following improvements related to in-app messaging, chats can now be pinned. You will have the possibility of selecting up to three chats with certain users, These will be located at the top of the section. A very practical function to facilitate the search and speed it up.
There will also be changes in the stories
An attractive Instagram function will allow us share stories with specific groups of users of the platform. Until now the available options were with all users or with your "Best Friends" list. It is expected that the creation of several lists, similar to "Best Friends", will soon be available and you can be more specific when sharing stories.
Every day we learn of new functions that large companies that own social networks develop for their users. Today we will be talking about how Instagram brings us Friends Map to share location with your friends in your next updates. It's not a new feature, but there is a lot to explore in terms of how to get the most out of it. Let us know in the comments how you think Instagram users could benefit from this new functionality.
