Instagram is launching a series of new features for direct messages (DMs) to enhance the experience of staying connected with friends, the company revealed on Monday. Users can now personalize their chats by adding nicknames and sharing their live location, similar to Snapchat’s Snap Map feature. This update builds on recent improvements to the platform, such as filtering message requests in DMs and stopping the automatic feed refresh.
New Features on Instagram
Instagram announced these new features in a blog post. Users can now add nicknames in DMs by tapping on the profile in the chat and selecting from three settings: everyone in the chat, people you follow, or only you. These nicknames are only visible in DMs and do not change the username elsewhere on the app. The availability of this feature was confirmed on the Instagram for Android app, but it is not yet accessible on the iOS version.
Another feature allows users to share their live location for up to one hour, after which it automatically expires. This helps friends find each other in crowded places. Users can also pin a spot on the map to make locating them easier. This feature works in one-to-one or group chats and is turned off by default. It is currently available in select countries.
Additionally, Instagram is introducing 17 new sticker packs with over 300 stickers for DMs. Users can mark stickers as favorites from chats or reuse stickers created from cutouts or shared by friends in DMs.
