Instagram is set to introduce a new “Friend Map” feature, as confirmed by a Meta spokesperson to Technical Zaheer. This feature, similar to Snapchat’s Snap Map, will enable users to view the real-time locations of their friends. Currently in its internal prototype stage, the feature is not yet being tested externally. The discovery of this feature was made by reverse engineer Alesandro Paluzi, known for uncovering social media features before their official release.
If Instagram decides to officially launch the Friend Map, it will be following in the footsteps of Snapchat by incorporating another popular feature. In the past, Instagram replicated Snapchat’s core Stories functionality in 2016. This new feature will also bring Instagram into competition with Apple’s “Find My” map feature, which allows users to track the locations of their friends and family. Instagram aims to increase user engagement on its platform by providing additional features and reducing the need for users to use external services.
Instagram also has an opportunity to attract users who were fond of Zenly, a social map application that was acquired by Snap and subsequently deactivated last year. Screenshots shared on Threads by Paluzi reveal that Instagram’s Friend Map will allow users to control who can view their location. The location data will be encrypted end-to-end, with users being able to choose whether to share their location with followers, “Close Friends,” or keep it private. The map will offer a “Ghost Mode” setting to conceal the user’s last active location.
In addition to tracking friends’ locations, the Friend Map will allow users to leave short messages, referred to as “Notes,” for others to see. While Instagram Notes currently appear in direct messaging feeds, users will have the option to share these updates on the map once the Friend Map feature is rolled out. These Notes could be used to inform friends about interesting places or events nearby.
This announcement comes as Instagram continues to enhance its in-app mapping capabilities. In late 2022, the company introduced a searchable map experience, enabling users to explore popular tagged locations and filter results by categories such as restaurants and beauty salons. This update aligns with Google’s Senior Vice President Prabhakar Raghavan’s statement that young users are turning to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok for location discovery, rather than traditional search engines like Google.
Having disrupted Google’s core services, Instagram now appears to be gearing up to challenge Snapchat and Apple with its upcoming Friend Map feature. With the integration of this feature, Instagram aims to further engage its user base and solidify its position in the competitive social media landscape.
