Instagram rolls out clearer location controls amid confusion over Map sharing feature

Instagram has enhanced its Map location-sharing feature to give users greater clarity over when and how their location is visible on the platform.

The Meta-owned social network announced that it’s expanding the feature globally after an initial rollout in the United States (US) and Canada in August.

The update comes after weeks of confusion, with viral posts warning users that Instagram was automatically sharing their real-time location.

The company, however, strongly denied the claim. At the time, Instagram head Adam Mosseri clarified that location sharing is not enabled by default and is only visible if users choose to share it.

To address these concerns, Instagram is adding a prominent indicator at the top of the Map screen that clearly shows whether a user is sharing their location or has it turned off.

Another visual sign will now appear under a user’s profile picture in the Notes section on the DMs page, indicating if location sharing is disabled.

Additionally, Instagram has removed profile photos from Map content after users mistakenly believed that tagged posts displayed their live location.

The company has also added educational reminders explaining that tagging a location in a Story, Reel, or post only places it on the Map, not in real time.

Now, a new preview feature will show users how their content will appear on the Map before posting.