Instagram might be developing a Friends Map feature, resembling Snapchat's Snap Map introduced in 2017. According to the source, if that is true, we will see the location sharing feature on the platform very soon.

Snap Map: Snapchat's Location Sharing Feature

Initially, Snap Map allowed Snapchat users to view content by location and share their own location with friends, fostering real-time interaction.

As reported by 9to5Mac, known developer Alessandro Paluzzi on X (formerly Twitter) discovered evidence suggesting Instagram's development of a Friends Map. Recent findings reveal screens depicting its potential functionalities.

Key Features of Instagram's Friend Map:

• Discover Friends' Activities: View your friends' locations on a map and stay updated on their whereabouts.
• Leave Location-Based Notes: Share what's happening around you with location-tagged notes.
• Privacy Controls: Choose which friends can see your location and ensure end-to-end encryption for privacy.
• Real-Time Updates: Your location updates only when you open Instagram, ensuring control over your privacy.

While the launch date of this feature remains uncertain, Paluzzi's track record suggests reliability in predicting Instagram's updates. It's interesting to know via The Verge that Paluzzi "discovers a lot of Instagram features before they're announced."

Related Article: Snap Map: People Use this Snapchat Service to Monitor Gaza Happenings, Accessible for All

Instagram's History of Feature Adaptation

Mashable reports that Instagram has a history of adopting features from other platforms so this is not the first time that Meta's app has copied a popular feature from other apps.

As move towards 2025, Instagram is expected to explore the development of a Friends Map feature. Users, in return, may anticipate enhanced social connectivity and location-based interactions on the platform.

While the feature's official launch is yet to be confirmed, its potential integration could mean that Instagram is headed towards a different way this time: the introduction of its own branding of Friends Map.

In 2021, Tech Times reported that Snap Map's My Place feature was useful for those who regularly hop from one restaurant to another. It's a special functionality for users who want to hang out with their friends in search of a good mood and atmosphere.

What's more, there are personalized recommendations that you can consider through this feature.

It works by tagging a particular place you have marked "favorite" on social media. You can also do that in the tagged posts.

In the same year, Snap also introduced two layers, namely The Infatuation and Ticketmaster. The first feature is for concertgoers who want to browse the latest or upcoming events of certain venues. The second one is focused on restaurant reviews and recommendations for nearby locations.

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Read Also: Snapchat Partners With The Infatuation to Include Restaurant Recommendations In Snap Map