Introducing Instagram Friend Map – social media latest updates
Some would be familiar with iPhone’s ‘Find my Friends’ or Snapchat’s ‘Snap Maps’, now a similar feature has arrived for Instagram. In its latest announcement, Instagram is now rolling out an Instagram Map. The map launched in the US on August 6th.
Instagram has updated its app once again to enhance user’s connections with each other. Location services are allowing users to opt-in to an interactive map showing you & your friends whereabouts on a feature found in the Messaging section of the Instagram app. Users can opt into sharing their last active location and can turn it off anytime. Opt-in users can choose precisely who you share location with - selected friends, Close Friends, or followers who you follow back. Thankfully, ‘Public’ is not an option.
If users don’t allow location access to Instagram, they can still use the map. Any content with a location tagged can show up on the map including Reels, posts, and stories from people you follow (stories available for 24 hours). So, whether or not you choose to share your live location, all your public photos, videos and Stories show up on the Map if you've tagged locations in those individual posts.
Instagram has rolled the feature out to US users last week and it is projected to be completely available across the globe in the coming weeks.
What this means for us:
This could be a useful tool for local discovery, event promotion and building brand awareness, particularly for businesses in hospitality, retail, and entertainment.
What this means for brands?
Increased Local Visibility - Location-tagged content is now even more discoverable, a business will appear on the map for users in your geographical area.
Local SEO - Users can explore businesses and locations simply by typing in a name, a category, or a hashtag.
UCG promotion – other users tagging a business’s location or event in their post will create a bubble on the map in that area.
Direct engagement - the map provides a direct link to a business profile, contact information, and website, making it easier for users to connect with brands and learn more. (You must have a Business or Creator account to add your business address and make your location visible.)
Read more: https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/instagram-new-features-connect-friends