Instagram officially announced the launch of the repost button, a new tool that allows users to share public posts directly within the platform. The feature, which is accompanied by the Instagram map and the Friends tab in Reels, aims to strengthen user interaction and facilitate content discovery shared by friends and creators.
The announced features —repost, interactive map, and Friends tab— became available starting August 6 in the United States, with plans to expand to other countries in the coming weeks.
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What does the repost button allow you to do?
Instagram’s new repost button enables users to share public posts and reels without needing to take screenshots or use third-party apps. By using this tool, users can republish content that will appear both in their followers’ feed and in a dedicated repost tab within their personal profile.
Each repost keeps the credit to the original author, which is a significant benefit for content creators, as their material can reach new audiences even if those users don’t follow them.
How does the repost button on Instagram work?
To repost a post or reel, follow these steps:
- Tap the repost icon below the post.
- If you wish, add a custom note in the thought bubble that appears on screen.
- Tap save to complete the action.
The reposted content will be visible in the feed of the user’s followers and will be stored in a specific section of their profile, allowing it to be accessed later.
Instagram confirmed that reposts will also be recommended to followers, helping boost the organic distribution of content. This initiative is designed to support the circulation of viral reels and standout posts within close user networks.
What is Instagram map and how is it used?
In addition to the repost button, the platform introduced the Instagram map, a feature that integrates geolocation to provide users with a new space for visual interaction. Through this map, users can:
- Share their recent location with selected friends.
- View posts, reels, and stories with tagged locations.
- See content posted by friends or creators in areas of interest.
Using this tool is optional and requires manual activation. Once enabled, users can customize their privacy settings, choosing to share their location with all friends, a specific contact list, or no one.
The feature also includes parental control tools, alerting guardians when a supervised minor enables location sharing. Parents can view who their teen is sharing location data with and disable access if needed.
Instagram map can be found at the top of the direct messages inbox. The feature has started rolling out in the U.S., with a global expansion planned soon.
What kind of content appears on the Instagram map?
The Instagram map is designed to highlight geolocated content that may be of interest to users. Available content includes:
- Reels, posts, and stories with location tags, available for 24 hours.
- Notes from users with mutual following.
- Recent activities in specific areas.
The tool aims to connect users with nearby places and events, such as concerts, cultural activities, or popular city spots—all based on content shared by their contacts or local creators.
What is the Friends tab in Reels?
Instagram also announced the global rollout of the Friends tab, a new section within Reels where users can view content their friends have interacted with. This tab includes:
- Reels your friends have created, liked, commented on, or reposted.
- Recommendations from Blends, personalized lists created by the user.
To access, simply select the “Friends” option at the top of the Reels feed. Instagram also rolled out controls that allow users to hide their own activity in this tab or mute notifications from certain contacts.
Instagram notes that this feature is designed to spark conversations around shared content among friends, fostering a more connected experience within the platform.
What is the purpose of these new features?
The addition of the repost button, the interactive map, and the Friends tab is part of Instagram’s broader effort to reinforce user relationships by offering tools that allow people to share not only what they are doing but also what they are enjoying on the platform.
According to the company, these features aim to make it easier to stay connected with friends, share common interests, and discover new content—all within a more controlled environment with clear privacy options.
What are the implications for content creators?
For creators, these updates represent a significant boost in organic reach. Since users can now repost content directly from the platform, and this content appears in their followers’ feeds, the chances for virality increase.
Additionally, the inclusion of the original author’s name in reposts preserves authorship and helps combat plagiarism or unauthorized content appropriation.
What safety measures does Instagram offer in these new features?
Instagram emphasized that user safety was a priority during the development of these tools. Key safeguards include:
- The repost button is only available for public content.
- Location sharing is opt-in only, and can be turned off at any time.
- Advanced parental controls for teen users.
- Privacy settings for what appears in the Friends tab.
