Did you notice the new updates on Instagram? Well, don't worry, we can tell you all about it!

Instagram continues to be a powerhouse in the world of social media marketing. With millions of daily users, it’s one of the best platforms for building brand awareness, engaging with your audience and driving real results. But like all tech giants, Instagram is constantly evolving and its latest update brings some noteworthy changes. Let's get into it!

On August 6, META launched an update to Instagram that brings a new “repost” feature, location map and more to the app. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new and how it can affect your person and business accounts.

Reposting

Instagram’s new reposting feature is very similar to tools on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. When a user reposts content, it now shows up on their friends’ and followers’ feed in addition to a dedicated Reposts tab on their profile. This update gives posts greater visibility and reach. This is especially valuable for brands and creators. If someone shares your business’s content, it’s automatically amplified to a wider audience, increasing the chances of engagement, discovery and growth. It’s a smart new way for creators and businesses alike to boost exposure without spending any money.

Remember: this used to only be possible by sharing a post through a story or direct message.

This feature could change how Instagram's algorithm works, blending a mix of AI-recommended content and reposts you’re connected to. Social media marketing is all about strategy, and the reposting feature is no exception. Finding a constructive way to boost content via reposts will soon become the newest marketing tactic to master.

Map and Location Sharing

Similarly to the social platform Snapchat, Instagram users now have the ability to share their last active location with friends and followers on the Instagram Friends Map. Location Sharing is an opt-in feature and can be turned off at any time. Users have the option to share their location with friends, their Close Friends list, a few selected friends or no one at all.

Remember: Users have always had the option of tagging a location in their post, which could be selected to view other posts and reels within the same location.

The map also features location based content, allowing users to explore the places their friends are posting from. This means when a user adds a location to their grid post, Reel or Story, it will pop up in that location on the Instagram Friends Map.

The Instagram Friends map is visible in the Notes section at the top of DM inboxes. This allows you to access a full display of your friends’ locations and geographical content.

Instagram Reels Friends Tab

When scrolling in Instagram Reels, users will notice a new Friends tab at the top of their page. This new addition allows users to see “public content your friends have interacted with, or recommendations from Blends you’ve started, and easily start conversations about them,” as META wrote in an August 6 news release. 

Instagram noted that users will have access to some control settings to regulate their Friends tab. Users are able to opt-out of having everything they’ve liked appear to a broader audience, with specific controls that limit what liked content can appear on the tab. Additionally, there is a mute option for featured content liked by users you’re less interested in. 

This feature could be a great way to boost engagement through shared interest.

Why all of This Matters For Your Business

You may read this and wonder what it has to do with your business. That's fine...we get it. However; let us take a second to explain how these latest instagram updates can impact your business and social strategy.

With features like reposting, location-based sharing and the Friends tab, Instagram is prioritizing content that feels personal and shareable. For businesses, this means creating content that resonates—posting content that people want to repost, tag or react to. All of this can expand your businesses reach and amplify engagement. The more relatable and relevant your posts are, the more likely they are to gain traction through Instagram’s algorithm and audience networks.

What does this all mean? It means that it is time to get to work on create content that is informational, entertaining, authentic and relatable to your audience. Whle not an easy task, it is an important one if you want to fully utilize Instagram to grow your business.

These updates present an amazing opportunity for social media marketing. From reposts to shared interest boosting, businesses and content creators can use these features to explain reach and target broader audiences.

Ready to work on your own social media strategy?

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Curious to learn more about Instagram’s latest update? Check out this article from Social Media Today and the official press release from Meta.