New Instagram Features 2025: Reposts, Friends Tab & Map Now Live!

Instagram Rolls Out New Features to Help You Connect Better

What's New on Instagram?

Instagram unveiled a trio of powerful features on August 6, 2025, built for deeper connections and richer experiences:

1. RepostsYou can now repost public Reels and feed posts—complete with credit to original creators—making it easier to share content with friends. Reposts appear in a dedicated tab on your profile for quick access later.

2. Instagram MapA new opt-in Map lets you share your real-time location with selected friends, explore content near you, and see Stories, Reels, or notes from chosen places. You remain in control—sharing is off by default, and parental controls are available for supervised users.

3. Friends Tab in ReelsA separate "Friends" tab within Reels shows the content your friends have created, liked, commented on, or reposted. It helps spark conversations around shared interests. Users can hide or mute their activity if they choose.

Community Reactions

• More than updates—social features made friendlier:These tools are seen as a shift toward authenticity and real interactions, rather than mere curation and passive scroll.

• Privacy Alarm Bells Ringed:Especially the Map feature drew backlash from many—particularly women—who worry about privacy, stalking, and surveillance risks.

• Critiques of Copycat Design:Some users and tech critics note that Reposts mimic Twitter/X and the Map mirrors Snapchat’s Snap Map. Despite concerns, Instagram argues the features unify its social experience.

FAQs

Q1: How do I repost a Reel or post?Tap the “Repost” icon and choose to add an optional note before sharing—it’ll appear in your followers’ feeds and under your Repost tab.

Q2: How can I enable or disable the Instagram Map?Navigate to your DMs and tap the Map icon. Location sharing is opt-in and can be customized per friend or turned off entirely.

Q3: What does the Friends tab show?It shows Reels and posts your friends have interacted with—like, commented on, created, or reposted—allowing you to discover content through your network.

Q4: Can I hide what my friends see about my activity?Yes—you can hide your interactions (likes, comments, reposts) from the Friends tab, or mute specific users entirely.

Q5: Is there a privacy risk with the Map feature?While optional, critics argue it may lead to unwanted tracking or safety concerns, especially for vulnerable users. Instagram encourages users to disable it if concerned.

Final Thoughts

Instagram’s new features mark a pivotal move—transforming the platform from static browsing to moments of shared connection. Reposts, the Map, and the Friends tab offer lively ways to engage with your network… but they also remind us how important it is to tune privacy and control settings.