Instagram on Wednesday (August 6) introduced three new features designed to help users share what they love and discover what their friends are up to in real time. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new and how to make the most of each feature.Repost Reels and posts you loveInstagram now lets users repost public Reels and feed posts directly to their followers’ feeds. Your reposts also get their own tab on your profile, so you can revisit them anytime. It’s a simple way to show your friends what you’re enjoying without needing to take a screenshot or send a DM.
How to use it:
Tap the repost icon on any public Reel or post.
Add a note using the thought bubble that appears (optional).
Hit save to share it with your followers.
Reposts credit the original creator, giving them exposure to new audiences — a potential boost for anyone posting share-worthy content.Explore and share with the Instagram MapThe new Instagram Map helps users stay connected through location-based content. You can now share your last active location with selected friends and explore where your friends or favourite creators are posting from — be it a concert, a beach, or a cool cafe.How to use it:
Find the map at the top of your DM inbox.
Opt in to share your location with custom privacy controls.
See location-tagged Reels, posts, stories, and notes from mutual followers (visible for 24 hours).
You’re always in control: You can stop sharing, limit who sees your location, or even block updates from specific places or people.Stay in the loop with the Friends tab on ReelsThe Friends tab on Reels is a new way to see what content your inner circle is engaging with. It shows public Reels your friends have liked, commented on, or recommended via Blends.How to use it:
Tap the Friends tab at the top of your Reels feed.
Want to switch back? Just tap the regular Reels tab.
You can also hide your own likes/comments and mute activity from specific people.
This feature makes it easier to discover content your friends enjoy and start conversations around it without leaving the app.Instagram says these updates are aimed at helping users connect in more meaningful ways — whether it’s sharing a Reel, planning a meetup, or just seeing what your friends are into lately. The Map is rolling out first in the US, with global availability coming soon.Also Read: Google says AI is helping the web, publishers say it’s killing their traffic(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
