A leaked preview of an upcoming Instagram feature indicates that the platform is introducing a new function called ‘Friend Map,’ which bears a strong resemblance to Snapchat’s Snap Map. The intended feature will enable users to view the locations of their friends on a world map and to see their posts tagged with respective locations. Moreover, it allows users to leave notes on the map, increasing the interactivity between connections on the platform.
According to leaked screenshots, ‘Friend Map’ offers users choices to control their privacy, with options such as ‘Ghost mode’ that can hide the user’s last known location. It reassures that location sharing will be secured with end-to-end encryption, and any content with a location tag shall be depicted on the map. The update will also ensure that users’ locations are updated only when the Instagram app is open.
There has been no official word on the exact date for the release of ‘Friend Map’ on Instagram. If the development phase is as advanced as the leaks suggest, it’s possible that a beta version could become available in the following weeks, with a general release following a few months after. This is not the first time Instagram has incorporated features popularized by Snapchat—the ‘Stories’ feature being a notable example. The addition of ‘Friend Map’ could potentially draw more users to Instagram from Snapchat, consolidating Instagram’s position in the social media landscape.
Watch a presentation of Instagram’s new feature here: [insert video link]
