Instagram Enhances DMs: New Location Sharing, Stickers & Nicknames

Instagram has introduced three new features for direct messages (DMs) to enhance user engagement.

1. Location Sharing: Users can now share their location with friends or groups for one hour. To do this, tap the Plus button in a chat, select Location, and choose your current location or search for another. Unlike WhatsApp, which offers multiple time options for location sharing, Instagram defaults to one hour. The shared location links will expire after this time but can be stopped manually beforehand. Note that the shared locations cannot be forwarded, and a reminder message will appear at the top of the chat. Instagram advises users to share their location only with people they know in real life. Currently, this feature is available in select countries, including the US and India.

2. New Stickers: Instagram has added 17 new sticker packs, offering over 300 new stickers for DMs. Users can now save their favorite stickers, whether they are from friends or ones they create using cutouts.

3. Nicknames: Users can create nicknames for themselves and their friends. This feature helps personalize chats by allowing users to simplify lengthy usernames or share inside jokes. To create a nickname, tap the Chat Name at the top of a direct message thread, select Nicknames, choose a person, edit their name, and tap Done. Nicknames will only apply within that chat and users will be notified of any changes.

These features aim to improve the DM experience on Instagram, making it more interactive and personalized.