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Instagram Clarifies New Map Feature After Privacy Concerns
August 8, 2025
Following Wednesday’s launch of Instagram’s new opt-in “Instagram Map” — a feature that allows U.S. users to share their most recent active location with friends and discover location-based content — Instagram head Adam Mosseri is reassuring users that their location is only visible if they explicitly choose to share it.
Meta emphasizes that location sharing is off by default, but misleading social media posts have circulated urging people to disable it, wrongly claiming it’s automatically enabled.
“We’re double checking everything, but so far it looks mostly like people are confused and assume that, because they can see themselves on the map when they open, other people can see them too,” Mosseri explained in a Threads post. He noted that sharing location requires “double consent” — users must confirm after initially opting in.
Some confusion has also arisen because the map can display location tags from recent Stories or Reels, even if location sharing is off. This isn’t new; Instagram has long shown location-tagged content on its map. The difference now is that the redesigned Instagram Map makes it much easier to access this information, prompting some users to reconsider tagging their location while still present at that spot.
Unlike Snapchat’s Snap Map, Instagram Map does not provide continuous, real-time updates. Your location only refreshes when you open the app or have it running in the background.
How to Access Instagram Map
To open the feature, go to your Direct Messages (DMs) page and tap the “Map” option at the top. A pop-up will explain that no one can see your location until you choose to share it and that you can change your settings anytime.
Setting Location-Sharing Preferences
When you first access Map, you’ll see a “Who can see your location” screen. You can share it with Friends (followers you follow back), your Close Friends list, select individuals, or no one.
To adjust your preferences later:
Go to your profile.
Tap the settings icon in the top-right corner.
Select Story, live and location.
Tap Location sharing and update your choices.
Even if your location sharing is off, you can still see the locations of friends who share theirs with you.
Using Instagram Map
The map shows friends who’ve shared their location with you, along with location-based Stories and Reels from people you follow. For instance, a friend’s festival story or a creator’s video about a new restaurant will appear on the map.
You’ll also see short, ephemeral “Notes” posted with a location — similar to the notes in your DM feed but now pinned to places on the map.
The update blends location sharing with discovery features, aiming to make it easier to connect with friends and find new places — while still giving users control over what they share.
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