Reddit Reviews Instagram's "Friend Map" Feature – And It's Not Good

Instagram recently introduced a new feature called Friend Map, allowing users to share their real-time location with friends directly inside the app. At first glance, this looks like a social upgrade designed to keep people more connected. But when Reddit users began discussing it, the reactions were far from positive. In fact, most of the feedback leaned towards concerns around privacy, stalking, glitches, and whether Instagram is simply copying Snapchat once again. At Taptwice Social, we keep track of these updates because they directly affect how creators, influencers, and businesses approach growth strategies on Instagram.

Privacy Concerns and Stalking Fears

One of the most repeated complaints on Reddit threads revolves around privacy risks. Users pointed out that Friend Map can reveal a person’s location with disturbing accuracy, using GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth to pinpoint exact spots. This creates fear that the feature could easily be misused for stalking or unwanted tracking. Many found it unsettling that an app already criticized for data collection is now adding a way for others to know where you are at any given moment. Comparisons were made to apps like Snapchat and how its “Snap Map” feature has previously been linked with safety risks.

Taptwice Social’s take on this: As a platform that helps with Instagram growth, we believe privacy should always come first. Creators and brands want followers, not risks. If users feel unsafe, they may step away from using Instagram as freely, which indirectly hurts engagement. Growth strategies should be built on trust, not invasive features. This is why we often recommend businesses to focus on genuine Instagram growth in India through safe, long-term methods instead of depending on features that might harm brand credibility.

Opt-In Nature and User Control

Instagram defenders argue that the Friend Map is opt-in, meaning no one is forced to share their location. According to Instagram, the setup involves multiple confirmation steps, giving users control to decide whether to participate. They can also choose to share with all friends, close friends, or select individuals. On paper, this looks like Instagram is giving enough power to the user.

Reddit users, however, are not fully convinced. Many argue that most casual users don’t read prompts carefully and may accidentally opt-in. Others believe that since Instagram already has a track record of rolling out features that slowly erode privacy, “opt-in” today could turn into “default on” tomorrow.

Taptwice Social’s take on this: We agree that user control is crucial, but user awareness is equally important. A feature can be technically optional, but if the design nudges people towards activating it, then it becomes misleading. As growth strategists, we prefer features that empower users to feel safe while networking. Transparency builds stronger communities, and this is the core of how we approach niche-based Instagram growth in India as well.

Inadvertent Activation and Glitches

Another major complaint on Reddit involves glitches and unintended activations. Several users reported that they were automatically added to Friend Map without clear consent. Others said that even after turning it off, the feature kept reactivating. For a feature tied to real-time location, such bugs can be alarming. People expressed anger, saying that if an app fails at giving them control, they lose confidence in the platform.

Some even went further, suggesting that Instagram may intentionally make it harder to disable such features to encourage data sharing. While these claims cannot be verified, the sheer volume of similar complaints raises a red flag.

Taptwice Social’s take on this: Glitches in any platform damage trust. If a brand or influencer is trying to grow an audience, the last thing they want is being associated with tools that seem buggy or invasive. For marketers, this underlines the importance of building growth strategies that don’t depend on unstable app features but rather on proven methods like collaborations, targeted content, and safe follower acquisition through trusted approaches. For example, instead of relying on risky hacks, our blog on the real cost of buying Instagram followers explains why long-term methods always win.

Safety and Convenience

Not all Reddit feedback was negative. Some users saw value in Friend Map, especially in terms of safety and convenience. Parents discussed how it could be useful to keep track of children. Friends mentioned how easy it becomes to coordinate plans—knowing if someone is still at the grocery store or already on their way to a meetup. For some, it echoed the benefits of Apple’s Find My Friends app.

However, the overall tone suggested that these positives were overshadowed by bigger privacy fears. Even those who found Friend Map helpful admitted they would be very selective about who they shared their location with. The feature might offer situational benefits, but it does not solve the fundamental trust issue that many users have with Instagram.

Taptwice Social’s take on this: We recognize the convenience argument, but convenience should never come at the cost of safety. Influencers and businesses already share a lot of their personal life online, and adding real-time location can expose them to unnecessary risks. As we advise in our Instagram growth guide, balancing visibility with safety is key to long-term success.

Comparison to Snapchat's Snap Map

Many Redditors criticized Instagram for copying Snapchat’s Snap Map, which has been around since 2017. The conversation highlighted how Instagram often borrows features from other platforms—Reels from TikTok, Stories from Snapchat, and now Friend Map. While Instagram claims to be innovating, users see it more as replication than originality. This not only affects how people perceive the app but also adds to fatigue, as users feel bombarded with features they didn’t ask for.

Taptwice Social’s take on this: Copying features can sometimes work, but only if they are implemented better than the original. In this case, Instagram hasn’t addressed the safety concerns that plagued Snap Map, so it feels like history repeating itself. For marketers, this signals caution: not every new feature is worth incorporating into growth strategies. Instead, focusing on proven methods like increasing reach through Instagram views or meaningful content collaborations remains a safer bet.

Map Functionality and User Interface

Some feedback centered on the usability of the map itself. Compared to Google Maps, Friend Map feels less detailed. Users mentioned difficulty in identifying precise spots, which reduces its usefulness. At the same time, a few people liked that it focused more on personal and friend-tagged places rather than showing all businesses and landmarks.

Taptwice Social’s take on this: While simplicity can be a strength, when it comes to maps, accuracy is non-negotiable. If Instagram wants users to trust and adopt this feature, it needs to compete with established tools. Right now, the feature feels more like an experiment than a polished addition. As strategists, we see this as another reason why businesses should avoid depending too heavily on untested features when planning their Instagram engagement strategies.

Location-Tagged Content

Friend Map is not just about showing where your friends are—it also ties in with location-tagged content. Posts, Reels, and Stories linked to a location show up on the map for 24 hours. Instagram clearly wants to push local discovery through this feature, turning maps into a content distribution tool. While this could drive exposure for some businesses, users remain skeptical about whether they want their activity tied so closely with real-time location.

Taptwice Social’s take on this: Local discovery is important for small businesses, but safety concerns overshadow this benefit. Until Instagram addresses user worries, businesses should focus on safer ways to get discovered—such as improving content quality, leveraging hashtags, or using trusted services for buying Instagram followers in India to boost visibility.

Final Thoughts

Reddit’s overall response to Instagram’s Friend Map shows deep distrust. While the feature has situational benefits, most users see it as another privacy risk disguised as convenience. For creators, influencers, and businesses, the lesson is clear: don’t rely too much on new, unstable Instagram features for growth. Instead, focus on strategies that build long-term engagement and trust.

At Taptwice Social, we help brands and individuals grow on Instagram safely and effectively—without compromising privacy. As this discussion shows, sustainable growth comes not from shortcuts or risky updates but from building a genuine, trusted presence online.