Tech Desk 
Aug 09, 2025
Instagram has released a much-debated update, which also actually reintroduces a feature that many thought was lost forever. Tracking what you like by your followers is back, and this means your followers can see everything you like.
There is now a Friends tab in the new Reels section that shows friends' posts they liked; this is similar to how Instagram began to function. There's a repost feature for content and a new map that lets your followers see your exact location in real time.
In a video announcing the update, Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri said the update was meant to help us engage with people closest to us.
He stated that people prefer seeing what their friends like over random things picked by the algorithm. Howeve, the users are pointing out the disadvantages of letting your entire followers list see every reel you liked.
The location-sharing feature is similar to that of Snapchat's Snap Map, and it can be limited to whoever you want, such as your close friends or a custom list; however, the safety of having your followers know exactly where you are in real time is concerning.
Reposts aren’t getting much love either, with critics saying Instagram is borrowing too heavily from other platforms. “Reposts from X, the map from Snapchat, and the Friends tab from the depths of hell,” one user joked.
Some helpful users have shared guides on how to disable the map feature, but overall, online reactions are largely negative.
