Instagram has unveiled the global release of a new Maps feature that lets users find popularly tagged places nearby. By enabling users to filter locations by particular categories like restaurants, cafes, and beauty salons, the tool could, among many other things, increase the visibility of local small businesses on Instagram. When users open Instagram, they are already in the phase of exploration and use the app to find new locations and establishments nearby. This discovery has an impact on businesses and increases revenue rather than just providing a connection point. Online research conducted by GFK for Meta revealed that 96% of respondents claimed they find brands and items online. Of those, 83% indicated they usually find them on a Meta platform.
According to brand consultant, Abhimanyu Mishra from Brandfizz, the new feature will go a long way in aiding businesses that have been in the closet and are wary of what the digital spectrum has in store for them. With the Maps feature, the local businesses will be able to spill out more information about themselves and that too, within the app’s tools. Besides, the competition between local brands will elevate with all of them wanting to have a better market chunk.
Through tagged photos, stories, and guides offered by the Instagram community, the dynamic, searchable maps assist users in finding popular locations and gaining insight into what’s going on in the area. When a user searches for specific hashtags, related locations can also be found on a map. The function was introduced in Japan a year ago, and it has just been made available worldwide.
Way to Use IG Maps
Find a place
By tapping location tags in the feed or stories’ content, one can find a new location.
In Explore, type the name of a city, neighbourhood, or location. Local hashtags, like #newdelhi, can also be searched for using the hashtag feature.
The Stories archive also allows one to examine past stories one has contributed with a map and a location tag.
Dive in more
To find out more, look through recently published articles, popular topics, and pertinent guides for tagged places.
To focus a search, use location categories as a filter.
Foresee the future
Add places to a collection to go back to them later.
Send friends or groups a direct message with a location.
Contribute
By including location tags or stickers in the material, one can make them visible on maps (if the profile is public).
