The company announced on Monday that Instagram is enabling users to share their locations with their contacts via DMs (direct messages)
The feature suggests that the social network, which is owned by Meta, is seeking to compete with services such as Apple’s Find My and Snapchat’s Snap Map, which are popular methods for users to view the live locations of their friends and loved ones.
Instagram was observed testing a method for users to view their peers’ live locations earlier this year, so the feature’s launch is not entirely unexpected. It is important to mention that WhatsApp, Meta’s other messaging application, has enabled users to share their live locations with others for an extended period of time.
In contrast to Apple and Snapchat, which permit users to share their location with others indefinitely, Instagram permits users to do so for a maximum of one hour. According to Instagram, the feature can be employed to locate acquaintances in crowded areas or to coordinate arrival times.
You have the option of sharing your location with a single individual or with a group communication. Upon sharing your location, only the individuals in the specific conversation will be able to view it, and it cannot be forwarded to other chats.
Additionally, an indicator will be visible at the top of the chat to serve as a reminder that you are presently sharing your live location.
After one hour, all live locations will expire. Instagram’s location-sharing time limit may be altered in the future, as WhatsApp permits users to share their location with others for up to eight hours.
The company stated that the new feature is accessible in a limited number of countries. TechCrunch inquired for additional details.
On Monday, Instagram also disclosed that users can now personalize their identities in direct messages by including nicknames for themselves or others. The company asserts that the feature can be employed to either abbreviate lengthy usernames or to share an inside joke.
Creating a moniker is as simple as tapping on the chat name at the top of a conversation and selecting “Nicknames.” From there, you may select the username of the individual to whom you wish to designate a nickname. Nicknames are exclusively visible in your direct message conversations.
Additionally, Instagram is introducing 17 new sticker bundles that contain over 300 stickers that can be shared in direct messages.
