Instagram's Latest Update Added Reposts and a Snap Map Clone

Instagram is copying major features from three other social networks in one sweeping update. It’s adding a Snapchat-like Snap map, a Repost option clearly inspired by X (but implemented in style of TikTok), and for good measure, it’s also rolling out its TikTok-like "Friends" Reels feed globally. That’s a lot to take in, so let’s break this down.

Reels and reposts

Credit: Instagram

Reposts are finally coming to your Instagram profile. The new Repost feature will let anyone repost public reels or posts onto their own page, without having to bother with the previous Instagram Story workaround. These will show up in your friends' feeds, but unlike on other sites, reposts won't be mixed in with your regular posts on your own profile, and will instead be housed in a new Reposts tab. Like a quote post over on X, you can also add your own comments to reposts, which will show up on top of them in a small bubble. To control whether your posts can be reposted, navigate to Settings and activity > Sharing and reuse.

Welcome to Instagram Map

Credit: Instagram

Instagram’s new Map feature will let users share their most recent active location with their fiends on an interactive map, which the site can use to promote more location based content. It's reminiscent of Snapchat's Snap Map feature, but with one major difference. Snapchat lets you share your location even when you’re not using the app, but Instagram limits location updates to when the app is actively open. It’s also important to note that location sharing is disabled by default, so you'll need to turn it on manually (under Messages > Map > Settings) to post your location to Instagram Map.

Instagram hopes that users will use the Map feature to plan hangouts, but I’m personally looking forward to using it to make sure I’m nowhere near my Instagram followers. Instagram will also display Stories with location-sharing enabled on the Map page, so if your friend or favorite local influencer posts about a new cafe, it will show up there as well, and you won't even need to have location sharing on to see it. Similarly, users can also share Notes, or short messages, directly to the Map.

“Friends” tab in Reels goes global

Credit: Instagram

Meta has already trialed a dedicated Friends feed for the Reels tab in the U.S., but now it’s rolling out globally. If you ever wanted one place that shows you all the weird reels your friends are liking and commenting on, this is it. This will only show Reels that your friends have created, liked, commented on, or reposted, but if you do want some extra privacy, Meta says it's working on rolling out ways to hide your own likes and comments from showing up in this feed, as well as mute activity from specific friends. The Friends tab is found right on top of the Reels screen, although I have yet to locate the new privacy controls—they'll likely need some time to reach everyone.