Instagram has officially launched a highly anticipated update that includes a Repost button, a new Friends tab in Reels, and an opt-in Instagram Map feature — signaling the platform’s push toward deeper personalization, more social interaction, and real-time discovery.
🔁 Repost Button Debuts for All Users
For the first time, users can now repost public Reels and feed posts directly, without using third-party tools or screenshots. Once reposted, the content appears in a dedicated “Reposts” tab on the user’s profile — similar to a curated highlight reel. This tab allows others to easily view what you’ve chosen to reshare.
Instagram also notes that reposted content can show up in your followers’ feeds, amplifying visibility and engagement for creators.
👯 New “Friends” Tab in Reels Enhances Social Discovery
The Reels experience is evolving with a new “Friends” tab, designed to help users stay in tune with their close social circle. This tab aggregates Reels that your friends have:
- Liked
- Commented on
- Reposted
- Or personally created
It also supports direct replies to friends’ activity, encouraging spontaneous conversations and tighter community bonding.
Privacy settings allow users to:
- Hide their activity (likes, comments, reposts) from appearing in the Friends tab.
- Mute visibility of friends’ actions if they prefer a cleaner feed.
🗺️ Instagram Map Adds Real-Time Social Location Sharing
Instagram is also rolling out a new map feature, giving users the ability to share their location in real-time with selected friends. This is opt-in only and comes with multiple layers of privacy, including:
- The ability to choose who sees your location (e.g., Close Friends list).
- No background updates — location is only shared while using the app.
- A privacy-first design focused on user control and consent.
The map also lets users explore nearby content shared by friends or local creators, turning Instagram into a more social, real-world discovery tool.
📱 What This Means for Users
This update reflects Instagram’s effort to merge public sharing with private, meaningful interaction. The Repost and Friends tabs promote visibility and connection without compromising user control, while the Map reintroduces real-world context to digital life — a growing trend among social platforms.
The features are rolling out globally, so users are encouraged to update their apps to access the new tools.
