Instagram Just Rolled Out New Features — Here’s What You Need to Know (and What to Do Next)

Aug 7
3 min read

If you haven’t found out already, Instagram just dropped a handful of new features that have people talking. From location sharing to reposting and a new Friends tab inside Reels, this update is giving major Snapchat vibes.

Let’s walk through what’s new, what to be careful of, and how you can actually use this to boost your brand instead of hurting it.

📍 The New Instagram Map Feature: Cool or Creepy?

Instagram now lets you share your real-time location with friends using a new map tool. It looks and feels a lot like Snapchat’s Snap Map, minus the Bitmojis.

Here’s how it works:

You have to opt in to share your location**
You can share with everyone, just Close Friends, select people, or no one
You can hide your location at specific places or from specific people
Your location only updates when you open the app

Instagram says this makes it easier to connect with friends, explore local spots, and leave notes on the map. But let’s be honest, just because a feature exists doesn’t mean you have to use it.

Our Take:

Location sharing should never be a mindless choice. If you’re a creator or small business owner, only use this feature if it directly supports your strategy. For example, if you're hosting a pop-up or live event and want followers to pull up, this could help.

But if you're just running errands or working from home, it might be best to sit this one out.

What You Should Do:

Tap the "Map" icon in your Messages tab
Choose if you want to opt in
Keep your sharing list small or stick to Close Friends
Avoid sharing location info that puts your safety at risk

🔁 Reposts Are Here (Finally)

Instagram also rolled out a long-awaited feature: Reposts. You can now repost public Reels and feed posts, and they’ll show up in a separate Reposts tab on your profile.

The repost will:

Credit the original creator automatically
Let you add your own message
Be visible to your followers and show up in the algorithm

Our Take:

This is a great way to build relationships and keep your feed active without creating content from scratch. You can highlight clients, share testimonials, promote community events, or show love to other creators in your space.

What You Should Do:

Start reposting things that align with your brand or values
Shout out clients and partners
Use reposts as a way to add value, not just fill space

🎥 The New Friends Tab in Reels

Now there’s a Reels tab that shows you what your friends are liking, commenting on, or interacting with. It’s a peek into what your circle is into right now.

Our Take:

It might seem small, but this is actually a great way to study trends. If you’re a business or content creator, use this as free market research.

What You Should Do:

Scroll through the tab to see what your audience is engaging with
Look for patterns in content, audio, or visual style
Use that insight to guide your next Reel or campaign

So What Does This All Mean for You?

📍 The location feature could be useful, but only if you’re intentional. Don’t feel pressured to share where you are unless it directly helps your brand.

🔁 Reposts are a quick way to stay visible and supportive. Use them to share value, not just content.

🎥 The Friends tab in Reels is a window into your audience’s taste. Pay attention to it and use it to inform your strategy.

If you haven’t played around with these updates yet, open your Instagram app and explore what’s changed. But more importantly, be smart about how you use these features. Every post, repost, or location share tells a story. Make sure it’s one you’re proud of.