Instagram taking shot at Snap Maps-inspired new feature

Instagram is stepping up its game with a new feature that rivals Snap Maps. This update bears similarities to Snap Maps, which was first launched in 2017.

Speaking to The Verge, a Meta spokesperson, Christine Pai, mentioned the limited privacy settings that the users may experience with this upgrade.

“Users have to choose a specific group of people to share their location with, such as “Close Friends or only followers they follow back,” Christine Pai told The Verge. Snapchat allows public posts to Snap Maps.

Moreover, with this update of Instagram, users are allowed to post videos and text updates to a map based on the location where they were taken.

Pai added that the version was not available in all the markets as of yet.

“This feature is currently only available as a “small test” in a few markets”, Pai added. “The tool is opt-in and includes controls over location sharing. As always, we are building this feature with safety in mind,” Pai said.

However, the spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to follow-up questions about whether full public sharing would be offered or how long the posts would remain available.

Earlier in February, this feature was developed by but was named “Friend Map,” but images of the feature in action started to emerge publicly this week. The Instagram has yet to reveal where the feature is being tested.