Instagram is Testing Its Own Take on Snap Maps

In its latest bid to expand features and keep pace with its competitors, Instagram is testing a new feature that looks strikingly similar to Snap Maps. This new tool allows users to share text and video updates based on their location, which can then be viewed by friends on a shared map. If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is — Instagram’s latest feature seems to be a direct clone of Snap Maps, the popular feature that Snapchat introduced back in 2017.

How Instagram’s Map Feature Works

Instagram's new map feature is designed to allow users to post updates that are pinned to specific locations on a shared map. Friends can see where these updates were made, and their own updates can appear alongside them. In essence, it’s a shared map that allows users to track each other’s movements and posts based on geographical locations.

However, Instagram’s version may come with more limited privacy settings compared to Snapchat’s. According to Christine Pai, a spokesperson for Meta, users will need to select a specific group of people to share their location with, such as their “Close Friends or only followers they follow back.” This contrasts with Snapchat’s broader sharing options, which include the ability to make posts public on Snap Maps.

For now, Instagram’s map feature is only available as a “small test” in select markets. The feature is opt-in, meaning users have to actively choose to participate, and it includes controls for location sharing to ensure user safety. Pai emphasized that Instagram is building the feature with safety in mind, although there are still unanswered questions about whether fully public sharing will be an option or how long posts will remain visible on the map.

A History of Borrowing Ideas

Instagram’s new mapping feature is hardly the first time the platform has borrowed ideas from its competitors. The platform has a long history of taking popular features from other apps and integrating them into its own ecosystem.

For instance, Instagram’s Stories feature, which has become a staple of the platform, was heavily inspired by Snapchat’s original Stories. Similarly, Reels were developed as a direct response to TikTok’s short-form video success. Even Threads, Instagram’s text-based app, was a move to capture some of Twitter’s audience. Now, with the introduction of its mapping feature, Instagram is once again tapping into Snapchat’s playbook.

Instagram’s Previous Foray into Mapping

Interestingly, this isn’t Instagram’s first attempt at integrating a map feature. Back in 2012, the platform introduced a photo map that displayed all of a user’s images based on their location. However, this map was entirely private, meaning it could only be viewed by the account owner and wasn’t shared with friends. While the feature offered a unique way to look over a photo collection, it was eventually discontinued in 2016 due to low usage.

With this new map feature, Instagram is clearly hoping to rekindle interest in location-based sharing but with a social twist. The ability to share your whereabouts and updates with a selected group of friends could add a new layer of interaction and engagement on the platform.

The Road Ahead

As of now, Instagram’s mapping feature remains in the testing phase, and there’s no word on when or if it will be rolled out more broadly. The platform is likely gauging user interest and feedback before making any final decisions.

If the feature does get a wider release, it could bring back some of the location-based excitement that Instagram users once enjoyed, albeit in a more social and interactive way. However, with the competitive landscape of social media, Instagram will need to ensure that this new tool offers something unique — or at least compelling enough — to keep users engaged.

Stay tuned to Kushal Bharat Tech News for the latest updates on Instagram’s developments and other trending topics in the tech world.