Instagram is developing a ‘Friend Map’ feature that would enable users to track their friends’ locations

Instagram is reportedly developing a “Friend Map” feature, similar to Snapchat’s Snap Map, that would allow users to view their friends’ real-time locations. Although still in the prototype stage and not yet being tested externally, the feature suggests Meta’s ongoing efforts to enhance user engagement on Instagram.

If launched officially, the Friend Map would mark another instance of Instagram borrowing features from Snapchat, following its replication of Snapchat Stories in 2016. It would also position Instagram as a competitor to Apple’s “Find My” map feature, offering users an alternative for tracking friends and family.

The potential appeal of the Friend Map extends to users who enjoyed Zenly, a social map app acquired by Snap and subsequently shut down. Screenshots shared by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi reveal that Instagram’s version would allow users to customize their location-sharing settings, including options to share with followers, “Close Friends,” or no one at all. Additionally, the feature would offer a “Ghost Mode” to conceal users’ last active location, with location data purportedly being end-to-end encrypted.

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The inclusion of “Notes” on Instagram’s Friend Map adds another layer of interactivity and communication to the feature. Users would be able to leave short messages or updates for their friends to see directly on the map, potentially enhancing the social aspect of location-sharing on the platform. These Notes could serve various purposes, from sharing recommendations for nearby attractions to notifying friends about current activities or events.

Instagram’s focus on improving its map-related features aligns with its broader strategy to offer users more ways to explore and engage with their surroundings within the app. The introduction of a searchable map experience in late 2022 demonstrated Instagram’s efforts to provide users with tools for discovering popular locations and venues nearby, catering to the preferences of younger users who increasingly rely on social media platforms for such information.

By expanding its map functionalities and potentially introducing the Friend Map feature, Instagram appears to be positioning itself as a multifaceted platform that not only connects users with content and people but also serves as a hub for location-based discovery and social interaction. This move could further solidify Instagram’s position as a competitor to both Snapchat and Apple, as it seeks to offer a comprehensive set of features that appeal to a broad user base.