Instagram, one of the social networks most loved by people on the web, is enriched with a new function. This is a not exactly innovative option, which Meta developed taking inspiration from Snapchat with the aim of competing with the multimedia app and making the platform more attractive. But what are we talking about?
Connect to your friends
The new function, announced by a Meta spokesperson on the online portal TechCrunchis called “Friend Map“, and consists of a map in which the position of our friends is shown in real time. For privacy reasons, in any case, the “Ghost” mode will be made available, useful for limiting the tracking of those who do not like to be ” following”.
According to the latest information made available, the function will be available in various forms. It goes from a possibility of tracking extended to all followers, with tracking limited only to close friends. This is to allow users to manage their privacy. As we said, it will still be possible to choose not to communicate our location to others, hiding the latest active tracking. Just activate the “Ghost“. But it doesn’t end here. According to the Meta spokesperson, in fact, in addition to the position, it will also be possible to decide to share some information relating to the place where the tracked subject is located. All, obviously, in real time.
The uses
In this way Meta winks at its users, encouraging them to use social media more and more and effectively competing with Snapchat. In any case, this is a function still in production, which is also based on the Google Maps model. The developers also wanted to introduce the possibility of exchanging very quick messages, or notes, on the map, so that everyone can read them. Of course, your location data will be end-to-end encrypted.
The possibility of publishing Note on the map, Meta explains, could be used to provide family and friends with information, such as a particularly interesting shop or a place we like. Just leave your comment in the small space available on the map.
As early as the end of 2022, Meta had been thinking about one searchable map which allowed users to explore popular tagged places around their location, while also giving the ability to filter results by specific categories, including restaurants, cafes and beauty salons.