Instagram’s plan to be more social is finally getting real, and it looks a lot like other apps Gen Z already loves.
In an update announced Wednesday, Instagram is rolling out three fresh features that are all about helping you connect with friends, not just scroll through endless videos of strangers dancing or cooking. Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri said in a video that the platform wants to be more than just entertaining, it should be something you participate in.
So what’s new? First up, a location-sharing map feature that lets you see where your friends were last active on the app. Yes, it’s basically Instagram’s version of Snapchat’s Snap Map (not the first time Insta’s done this kind of copy-paste job). The new map is baked into the DM inbox, which is already where most real interactions on Instagram happen these days. And don’t freak out, location sharing is optional, and you control who gets to see where you are. You can pick from mutual followers, close friends, or a custom list, and teen accounts have parental controls built in.
This social mapping wave is clearly something Meta wants in on. Apple’s Find My Friends is already a Gen Z staple, and new apps like Bump from France (founded by ex-Zenly people) are leaning hard into this space. Now Instagram’s plan to be more social means giving you the ability to see where your people are, and maybe meet up, like actual friends do.
Second, Instagram is finally doing something people have been asking for forever: reposts. Yep, you can now repost reels and feed posts. TikTok added this feature back in 2022, and now Instagram’s catching up. Mosseri admitted that the feed is already full of stuff from accounts people don’t follow, so giving users the power to officially reshare content makes sense.
Last but not least, Instagram is expanding its “Friends” tab globally. This feature shows reels your friends have posted, liked, commented on, or reposted. It also comes with a reply bar that instantly starts a DM convo, making it even easier to slide into your friends’ messages. If you’re not into the idea of everyone seeing what you’re engaging with, Instagram also added privacy tools. You can hide your likes, comments, and reposts, or mute content from specific people.
This push for more social interaction comes at a time when Instagram is trying to prove it’s not just an entertainment app. During Meta’s antitrust trial with the FTC earlier this year, one damning slide showed that only 7% of time spent on Instagram in 2025 involved content from actual friends. That’s kind of brutal for a platform that calls itself social media.
With Instagram’s plan to be more social, the vibe is clearly shifting. Instead of just watching influencers and meme pages, the app wants you talking, sharing, reacting, and maybe even hanging out IRL. Whether users actually want that shift, or are happy just watching strangers, is another question. But for now, maps, reposts, and a more social feed are here.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
