Meta-owned social media platform Instagram has rolled out three new features aimed at making it a more social app. The new map feature allows users to share their location with friends, while the “Reposts” feature enables users to post previously liked or commented content from other accounts. The company’s CEO Adam Mosseri emphasized the importance of connecting users with each other, rather than just providing entertainment.
Instagram’s map feature is now available in the US and a few global markets, where users can opt-in to share their location with friends. This feature will also be accessible through direct messaging, allowing for more seamless interactions between friends. The company has expanded its DM features over the past year, which are the primary hub of social interaction on the app.
The “Reposts” feature is available for both reels and feed posts, and is a response to user demand that has been present for years. Instagram will now show users content from accounts they don’t follow, similar to TikTok’s repost feature. The company is also expanding its “Friends” tab for reels, which will display content from friends who have commented or reacted to the post.
These new features are part of a broader effort by Mosseri to transform Instagram into a more social platform, one that encourages users to engage with each other and care about the people around them. The changes come as Meta faces scrutiny over its platforms’ role in user engagement and social interaction, with regulators questioning whether Instagram is primarily an entertainment platform rather than a social network.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-trying-to-be-more-social-map-friends-reposts-2025-8