Instagram introduced a new live location-sharing feature, making it easier for users to connect with friends and family. This feature, which is similar to WhatsApp's live location setting, allows users to share their real-time location for up to one hour. It can be shared through direct messages (DMs), helping people find each other in busy or crowded areas when meeting up.

While WhatsApp allows users to share their live locations for up to eight hours, Instagram's time limit for this feature is one hour. The platform advises users to only share their location with trusted contacts for safety reasons.

Alongside the location-sharing update, Instagram is rolling out other new features to enhance the direct messaging experience. Users can now personalize chats by adding nicknames to contacts. This feature gives the option to set who can edit these nicknames, with three options available: everyone in the chat, people you follow, or just you. Importantly, nicknames are only visible in DMs and do not affect usernames elsewhere on the app.

Instagram is also rolling out location-sharing functionality similar to Snapchat's Snap Map. The feature allows users to send their live location or pin a specific spot on the map to help others find them more easily. The feature is available in one-on-one or group chats, and it is turned off by default. It is currently available in select countries.

These updates are part of Instagram's ongoing effort to make the app more interactive and user-friendly, offering more ways for users to express themselves and stay connected.

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