New features on Instagram! Reposts, location sharing, and more

Instagram has introduced a fresh batch of features that put real social interaction back in focus. The app, often criticised for becoming too algorithm-driven, now seems ready to bring its users back to each other.

This week, Instagram is rolling out three key tools: Reposts, an Instagram Map tucked inside DMs, and a Friends tab within Reels. These updates are designed to make sharing feel easier, discovery more personal, and interactions a little more meaningful.

Reposts are finally official

One of the most requested features over the years is now here. You can now reshare someone else’s public Reel or feed post, and it will appear in your followers’ feeds and in a new Reposts tab on your profile. No more workarounds or repost apps.

Instagram says this will also benefit creators. If someone reposts your content, it may be shown to their followers, even if they don’t follow you directly. That means more chances for content to travel organically. The platform also plans to roll out repost insights in the coming weeks, so creators can track how their posts are being shared.

Share your location (privately)

Another new addition is the Instagram Map, which lets you share your current location with selected friends through DMs.

You’re fully in control of who can see it and for how long, and parents can manage settings for supervised teen accounts. It’s a small feature that could make catching up in real life a little easier.

See what your friends are watching

The Friends tab in Reels offers a new way to discover content. Instead of relying solely on what the algorithm recommends, this tab shows what your friends are liking, commenting on, or reposting. You can even reply to a Reel straight from the tab, making it easier to chat about what you’re both enjoying.

Meta says it’s about helping people connect again. In its official announcement, Instagram said the goal of these features is simple:

“We’re introducing new ways to help you connect with friends over the things you love. Whether that’s seeing your friends’ latest adventures, discovering what they’re into, or sharing something that made you laugh.”

The update comes at a time when social interaction on the app is lower than expected. According to data revealed during a recent US antitrust trial, only 7 per cent of user activity on Instagram involves direct interactions with friends. Most of it is with strangers or content recommended by the app.

This shift in strategy seems designed to change that. And while the new features may resemble tools already seen on other platforms, the focus here is clearly on restoring genuine connection.

A small but meaningful reset

Not every update needs to be big. Sometimes, small changes like sharing a post or seeing what friends are watching can make the app feel more personal.

Instagram isn’t trying to change everything. But with these new features, it might help bring back more real conversations, spontaneous meetups and shared laughs—the kind of moments that made social media fun in the first place.

Sci/Tech