Instagram has introduced some exciting updates that are reshaping how users connect, create, and share content. From smarter AI-powered tools to new features designed for better engagement and brand growth, the platform is moving beyond just photos and stories; it’s becoming a full-scale digital platform. If you’re a casual user, influencer, or business owner, being up-to-date with these changes can help you get more visibility, connect with audiences in fresh ways, and keep your content strategy for the future.
Repost Your Favourite Reels and Posts
Instagram now makes it easier to share what you love with friends. With the new Repost feature, you can reshare public reels and feed posts directly to your profile. These reposts appear in your followers’ feeds and are also saved in a separate tab on your profile, so you can revisit them anytime.
Reposts always credit the original creator, which means if your content gets reshared, it could be recommended to a wider audience, even people who don’t follow you. For creators, this is a great way to grow reach and visibility. To repost, simply tap the repost icon and, if you’d like, add a short note before saving.
Connect with Friends Through the Instagram Map
The new Instagram Map gives you a fun way to stay connected. You can choose to share your live location with friends and see posts or stories they’ve shared from different places. Want to explore? The map also highlights content from your friends and favourite creators at exciting spots, like concerts, cafes, or travel destinations.
Location sharing is optional and comes with flexible privacy controls. You decide who sees your location—friends, close friends, selected people, or no one. You can turn it off anytime, and parents supervising teens have extra controls to help manage safe sharing. Even if you don’t share your location, the map can still be used to explore location-based content. Stories, reels, posts, and even notes tagged with a place can appear on the map for 24 hours. You’ll find the Instagram Map at the top of your DM inbox. It’s rolling out in the US first, with more countries to follow soon.
Discover What Your Friends Are Enjoying
Instagram has also launched Friends, a new tab in Reels where you can see public content your friends have engaged with. If they’ve liked, commented, or shared, you’ll get a peek at what they’re enjoying—and it’s a great way to start conversations around shared interests.
The Friends tab also includes recommendations from Blends you’ve started, making discovery even more personal. Plus, you have control over what shows up, like hiding your likes and comments or muting activity from certain people. You can access Friends by tapping the Friends tab at the top of Reels. To go back to your regular feed, just tap Reels. This feature is now launching globally after an initial test rollout.
With Reposts, Map, and Friends, Instagram is making 2025 more about discovery, connection, and community. For creators, these updates open new ways to grow reach and engagement. For users, they offer fun, interactive ways to stay closer to friends and explore fresh content. If you’re building a brand or just sharing life’s moments, these updates show Instagram’s commitment to keeping the platform engaging, relevant, and socially connected.
