Ah, Instagram, like other social media platforms it continues to evolve and change whether we like it or not. Most people find something to complain about when Instagram adds (or subtracts) something, but the three new features that have recently appeared have some big potential to expand your brand and grow your audience, that is, if you know how to utilize them. 

Why is it Sooo Important to Keep Up With New Features on Instagram (and other social platforms, too!)  

As mentioned above, Instagram, along with virtually all other social media platforms, is constantly changing. Meta is always looking for ways to keep things fresh, and although people are usually irritated by change, especially with apps they regularly use, these changes often offer new ways to connect, share, and grow your online presence.  

Like the Instagram interface, the social media landscape is also constantly changing. New features bring about fresh trends and methods of engagement, and not keeping up with these updates means your brand could miss out on new opportunities to gain social clout. 

Let’s Get to it: What Are the Three New Features on Instagram? 

Alright, now that we’ve covered why it’s important to keep up with these new features on Instagram, let’s get to the reason why you’re here: to learn what these features are and how to use them. While these features are new to Instagram, you’ve likely used variations of them on other platforms. The new “Repost” feature is essentially the same thing as the “Retweet” function on X (formerly known as Twitter), and the new Instagram “Map” is reminiscent of Snapchat’s Snap Map. The third new feature is the Friends Feed, which you can find on Instagram Reels, that allows you to easily keep up with reels your friends engage with. From what we’ve seen, this feature is the least popular of the three, which is likely because people don’t want their friends and family to see the strange reels they’ve been engaging with. However, the Friends Feed is a great new way to bolster your brand, but we’ll get to that a bit. 

1. The Reposts Tab 

What it is: The first of the three new features on Instagram we will be discussing is the “repost” feature, which serves the same purpose as the “retweet” function on X. Instagram users can now re-share content onto their own feeds. Rather than appearing in the primary feed, there is a separate tab that displays all reposts, so you won’t have to worry about muddying up your carefully curated grid. 

What it means for brands:  When a user reposts your brand’s content, it appears directly in their followers’ feeds, even if those followers don’t follow your brand. This effectively turns every repost into a shoutout, expanding your reach to new audiences. This feature also aligns with Instagram’s shift towards an AI-powered content recommendation algorithm, as reposted content is more likely to appear in feeds. This makes it more likely for users to see your brand and for Google to index your Instagram content.  

Reposting also offers a new way to leverage user-generated content. You can now seamlessly display any reshare content from users who have had a satisfying experience with your brand! 

Actionable Tip: The new repost function on Instagram means your brand should aim to post content that users find “repostable”; content that your followers would be more than happy to share on their own feed. 

2. The New Instagram Map 

What it is: If you’ve ever used the Snap Map, you already have a grasp on the new Instagram Map. With the user’s permission, Instagram allows people to share their last active location with a select group of friends. This feature is designed to help friends connect and discover new places, while also serving as a discovery tool, displaying location-tagged content like posts, Stories, and Reels from people you follow 

What it means for brands: Instagram Map presents a golden opportunity for businesses with a physical location, like a restaurant, a coffee shop, or a retail store. The map can help you increase foot traffic and local visibility by showcasing what’s happening at your location. Even if you’re an online-only brand, you can use the map to find and engage with customers at events, pop-ups, or while they’re using your products in different places.  

Actionable Tip: When you post content from your physical location, always tag your business with the location sticker. You can also create fun, location-based Reels or Stories that encourage your customers to do the same, making your business discoverable to a new local audience. 

3. The Friends Feed 

What it is: The “Friends” tab is a new section in the Reels feed that shows public content that your friends have interacted with, like posts they’ve liked or commented on. This feature is designed to help users discover new content based on what their close connections are enjoying. 

What it means for brands: The Friends Feed presents a fresh opportunity for organic reach. When your followers engage with your content, it can now be recommended to their friends, even if those friends don’t follow you yet. This means your best, most engaging content has the potential to go viral within friend groups, acting as a powerful tool for brand discovery and growth. 

Actionable Tip: Focus on creating highly engaging, shareable content that will get your audience to like, comment on, and share your posts with their friends. Think about relatable memes, helpful tutorials, or inspiring stories that people will want to repost and talk about with their inner circle. 

How Can These New Instagram Changes Affect Small Businesses and Brands? 

These three new Instagram features make the spotlight on community and authentic engagement brighter than ever. For small businesses, this is fantastic news! You no longer have to rely solely on expensive paid ads to get eyeballs on your content. These new community-building methods are also perfect for those using social media for nonprofits to gain donations and recruit volunteers. By strategically using these new functions on Instagram, you can build a more loyal community, expand your reach, and drive tangible business results.  

Our Egg-stravagant Takeaways 

Think of these new features on Instagram as the essential ingredients for making the perfect social media omelette. The Reposts tab is like cracking open the eggs; the foundation of your social media dish. The Instagram Map is your sprinkle of local flavor to attract customers, and the Friends Feed is the perfect whisking technique that makes your content light, fluffy, and perfectly shareable. Master this recipe, and you’ll cook up a brand presence that will have your audience satisfied, yet hungry for more.  

Keep Your Marketing Sunny-Side Up 

These new Instagram features serve up a multitude of new ways to keep your social media marketing strategy fresh and up-to-date, all while showing your followers that your brand is adaptable to change. Ultimately, the key to a strong social media presence is being ready for what’s next. Each and every new Instagram feature should be seen as a tool designed to help you build a more loyal, authentic, and engaged community.  

Don’t get us wrong, keeping up with the revolving door of Instagram features and the trends that go along with them while also juggling other significant elements of your brand can be incredibly stressful. If you know the feeling, give Red Egg a call and let us take a crack at keeping your Instagram content current and trending.