Instagram is testing a new feature that allows users to share their location on a map, similar to Snap Maps. 

Currently, in limited release, the feature enables users to post text and video updates tied to specific locations visible to a select group of contacts.

The feature was initially spotted in development in February under the name “Friend Map” by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi. 

It represents a potential revival of Instagram’s earlier map-based functionality. A photo map feature, introduced in 2012 and discontinued in 2016 due to low usage, allowed users to view their own geotagged images on a map privately.

Meta spokesperson Christine Pai told The Verge that the opt-in feature includes privacy controls, allowing users to share their location with “specific groups of people,” such as close friends or mutual followers. 

Pai emphasized that safety considerations are paramount in the feature’s development.

The duration of posts and the possibility of public sharing remain unclear, and Pai did not immediately answer those questions. The test’s scope and timeline for wider rollout remain undisclosed.

This development aligns with Instagram’s history of adapting features from competitors, following the integration of Stories (inspired by Snapchat) and Reels (similar to TikTok).