Instagram creators have this week celebrated the full launch of a handful of new features, which are designed to optimise sharing and the way in which users can personalise their own feed.
The first feature is one that Instagram has been back and forth with for some time, finally creating a dedicated tool that allows users to reshare content from both stories and the Instagram feed.
Prior this this rollout, Instagram was concerned that allowing reposts would put a halt on original content creation. However, as dedicated creators already know, re-posting is just another form of content sharing to keep your growing audience actively engaged.
Now though, reposts are set to become a part of the Instagram landscape – with shared posts layered with the users profile picture on top, and a repost icon over their picture. Followers will also be able to find the content reposted by another user via a separate tab on their feed, providing more insight into the content that your friends / followers appreciate and like.
Update Two: The Friendship Map
Ever wondered where your friends are hanging out and posting from? That’s the capability that has been made possible via the next Instagram update.
This new display provides information about the position of friends who have their location sharing data on, using an interactive map feature. A big part of this includes connecting posts that have been shared from that area, so that friends and followers can see exactly where users are when they post cool images and inspirational reels.
NOTE: A later update from Instagram took care to emphasise the optional aspect of this feature. Location sharing is easy to turn off, maintaining the privacy that Instagram users value – in fact, “off” is the default setting with users needing to actively turn it on if they want followers to see where they posted various updates from.
Update Three: The Friendship Feed
Another update that concerns Instagram friends – though this is one is less about tracking friends and more about seeing exactly what they are sharing, engaging with, and enjoying.
The Friend Feed is a new content tab in the Reels section of Instagram, that displays content your friends and those who you follow have engaged with. It’s a great way of finding content that relates directly to your interests and the interests you share with friends.
What’s more, it might introduce you to some new interests and hobbies, that your friends like!
Which of these updated tools are you most excited about?
