This week, Instagram launched a brand new Snap Map-like function known as Instagram Map that lets U.S. customers share their most up-to-date lively location with others and uncover location-based content material.
In case you determine to show in your location on Instagram Map, your location solely updates while you open the app or have it operating within the background, that means it doesn’t present steady, real-time location updates. That is totally different from Snap Map, which lets customers select whether or not their location is up to date solely after they open the app or in actual time.
Meta says location sharing is off by default on Instagram Map. Following issues round security, Instagram head Adam Mosseri reassured customers that the function is opt-in, and famous that some individuals are “confused” about how the function works.
As an example, individuals are accessing the function after which seeing the map populated with the placement data of some customers. It is because the function routinely pulls in location tags from lately posted Tales or Reels that embody a tagged location.
It’s value noting that this isn’t new, as Instagram already had location tags seen to customers in its map view. Nonetheless, the brand new Instagram Map function makes this data rather a lot simpler to entry. The brand new function may make you rethink whether or not you need to publish your Tales and Reels with location tags (particularly in the event you’re nonetheless on the location).
For individuals who need to guarantee their location is turned off on Instagram Map, we’ll stroll you thru the steps under.
Tips on how to entry Instagram Map

To entry the brand new function, you want to navigate to your DMs web page (direct messages) and faucet the brand new “Map” possibility on the prime. If it’s your first time accessing the function, you’ll possible see a pop-up message notifying you concerning the new Map.
The pop-up will let you know that nobody can see your location till you share it with them, and you could change your settings at any time.
Tips on how to set your location-sharing preferences

The primary time you open Map, you will notice a web page that reads “Who can see your location.” From there, you’ll be able to select to share it together with your Associates (followers you comply with again), your Shut Associates listing, choose customers, or nobody.
To vary your preferences, you want to click on in your profile, faucet the settings possibility within the top-right nook, choose the “Story, reside and site” possibility, after which faucet the “Location sharing” button. Right here, it is possible for you to to vary your settings.
Notice that if in case you have location sharing turned off, others can nonetheless share their location with you, which suggests you’ll have the ability to see them on the Map.
Tips on how to use Instagram Map
Whenever you open the app, you will notice the places of buddies who’ve shared their location with you. Additionally, you will see location-based Tales and Reels from folks you comply with.
For instance, in case your buddy attended a close-by music pageant and posted a narrative whereas there, it’s going to seem on the map. Equally, if a creator you comply with posts a reel a couple of new restaurant in your metropolis, you’ll have the ability to uncover it on Instagram Map.
You’ll nonetheless see location-based content material on the Map even if in case you have your location turned off.
You can also depart brief, ephemeral messages, or “Notes,” on the map for others to see. Instagram Notes are the brief messages that at present seem on the prime of your direct messaging feed, however with the launch of Instagram Map, you’ll now see these posts on the map in the event that they’re shared with a location.