Instagram rolls out new map feature, discovering nearby popular locations now easier

Instagram has rolled out a new feature that will give users a searchable and dynamic map experience on the photo-sharing platform. Earlier this week, Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, announced the global launch of a new Maps experience that will let users discover tagged locations and places near them.

The feature allows users to filter out locations by choosing preferable options out of a list of categories including cafes, beauty salons, restaurants, theatres and more. Before this, the map feature on Instagram only included tagged posts.

But with this new update, users will now have access to several options to visit that are around them. According to the Meta-owned platform, the new feature will give users a more dynamic experience in locating popular spots, businesses around them through tagged posts, guides and stories.


Users will also be able to find locations that are relevant to the hashtags they search on Instagram.

Zuckerberg took to his Instagram account to make the announcement. "We’re introducing a new searchable map on IG today. You can now discover popular local businesses near you and filter by category," he wrote along with a screenshot of the new update experience on map.

The company started testing the updated map last year in certain countries. The map will show you a list of places nearby and let you see posts about a certain place or see only certain types of business.

There are a few ways to get to the map -- if someone tags a place in a post or story, users can tap on the tag and hit "see location" to get to the location's page. If they move around on the map, they can search the area to see what's nearby.

Users can also search for places (including entire cities) in the Explore tab. Tapping on a place search result will take you to it on the map. Users can also save locations if they want to check them out later.

After users have searched for an area, they can use filters to narrow down the results, so you only see restaurants, bars, parks, or other types of relevant places.