Instagram adds prominent location sharing indicator to map feature
What's the story
Instagram has announced an update to its Map feature, making it easier for users to know if they're sharing their location. The social media giant is also expanding the Snap Map-like feature to India, after a successful initial rollout in the US and Canada in August. The update comes as a response to earlier confusion over the feature's location-sharing settings.
Feature enhancement
New indicators for improved clarity
The updated Map feature now comes with a more visible indicator at the top, letting users know if they're sharing their location or have turned off device location completely. A new indicator also appears under the user's profile picture in the Notes tray on DMs page, clarifying if they're not sharing their location. These additions are aimed at reducing confusion and improving user experience.
User clarification
Clearing up confusion over location tagging in posts
Instagram is also clearing up confusion over location tagging in posts. Initially, users thought that tagging a location meant sharing their real-time location on the Map, as their profile picture would appear over the content. However, this isn't true as the feature only pulls in posts with location tags. To further clarify this point, Instagram has removed profile photos from Map content to show it doesn't indicate someone's current location.
User education
Educational reminder for users
Instagram is also introducing an educational reminder to let users know that adding a location tag to a story, Reel, or post will make it appear on the Map. The platform already had location tags visible in its map view. To make things clearer for users, Instagram will now show a preview of how their content will look on the Map when they add a location tag.
Feature purpose
Map feature for location-based content discovery
Instagram had previously said that the Map feature is designed to make it easier for friends to coordinate and meet up. It also lets users discover location-based content shared or engaged with by their friends and favorite creators. The social media giant has emphasized that even if you don't share your location, you can still use the map to explore such content.