Instagram has announced the rollout of two new features to its direct messaging (DM) service, allowing users to share their live location with friends and assign nicknames to each other. The updates, which are currently available in select countries, aim to enhance the user experience and provide more privacy controls.

The live location sharing feature enables users to share their location with friends in real-time, making it easier to coordinate meetups and gatherings. This feature is similar to Snapchat's SnapMap, which allows users to share their location with friends on a map. Instagram's implementation, however, provides more granular control, allowing users to share their location privately with others through DMs, either one-to-one or within group chats. The feature is off by default, ensuring that users have full control over their location sharing.

In addition to live location sharing, Instagram has also introduced the ability to assign nicknames to friends within group chats. This feature allows users to personalize their conversations and create a more intimate atmosphere. Users can rename their friends within group chats, and the feature only stays within specific chats, ensuring that outsiders cannot see each other's provided nicknames. Furthermore, users can lock friends out of the ability to rename them if they don't like the assigned nickname.

Instagram has also expanded its sticker packs, adding 17 new packs with over 300 new stickers. Users can now drop these stickers into chats with their friends, mark them as favorites, re-use them, and even create their own using the cutouts feature or generate them with AI. This update is expected to enhance the overall messaging experience, making it more engaging and fun.

The introduction of these features is part of Instagram's broader strategy to focus on messaging and community building. According to Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, people are using messages more than the create button, indicating a shift in user behavior. To capitalize on this trend, Instagram is testing a new placement for the chat icon, moving it to the bottom and center of the app. This change is expected to make messaging more accessible and prominent within the platform.

The rollout of these features is a significant development for Instagram, as it seeks to enhance its messaging capabilities and provide users with more control over their online interactions. By introducing live location sharing and nicknames, Instagram is positioning itself as a more comprehensive social media platform, one that prioritizes user experience and privacy. As the platform continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these features are received by users and how they impact the overall social media landscape.