This option will allow users to share their location with their contacts, as well as geolocated publications or Notes.
Instagram develops a clone of the Snap Map
Instagram is currently working on the development of Friend Map, a feature which shares conceptual similarities with Snap Map, deployed by its competitor Snapchat since 2017. The option allows, in the same way as on the application known for its ephemeral content, to know the geolocation of your contacts in real-time. All posts or Stories including a geographic location may be displayed on the map, depending on your privacy settings.
The information was revealed by mobile developer and engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, generally aware of the company’s internal news, and who had already spotted an embryonic version of this Snap Map clone in November. The development of the feature has since been confirmed by an Instagram spokesperson. At the moment, this is an internal prototype that has not yet been experienced by users. At this stage, no deployment date has been communicated by the Meta Group.
How does the Friend Map work?
According to the screenshots posted by Alessandro Paluzzi, it will be possible to filter the content you want to share on the Friends Map, as well as the contacts who can view your geographic location. The feature also has a Ghost Mode which, after activation, hides your last location recorded by the app. “Your location will be end-to-end encrypted,” the social network also adds on the option presentation page.
At the same time, Instagram is developing an option dedicated to Notes on the Friend Map. This will offer the possibility “to share what is happening wherever you are” via a brief 60-character message which will be displayed on the map, the screenshot indicates. A process which is therefore similar to that of a classic Note, which is currently only displayed at the top of the messaging.
