Instagram Location Map: How It Works and How to Turn It Off
Instagram recently introduced a new location-sharing feature called Friend Map as part of a larger plan to give users more control over the content they see. Instead of relying on the algorithm, this feature is meant to help people connect with their real friends.
Friend Map shows your real-time location to friends you follow who also follow you back. The update caused some confusion online, with many users worried that Instagram was sharing their location without permission.
But let’s clear things up. Instagram location sharing is optional, and the feature is opt-in, not opt-out. That means you’re not automatically sharing your location unless you chose to turn it on yourself.
Here’s what the Instagram location map actually does, how to turn it off, and what it means if you’ve tagged a location in your story.
What Is Instagram’s Friend Map?
Friend Map is a new feature available only in the US for now, with plans to roll it out to more countries soon. You can find it at the top of your Instagram DMs, where a map shows your friends’ last known locations if they have location sharing turned on. It also displays public stories from people you follow that include a location tag.
There are two types of location sharing on the map:
- Real-time location sharing, which only appears if you opt in and allow Instagram to access your location
- Instagram location tag visibility, which shows up when you add a location to your story
You can share your location with:
- A custom list
- Your Close Friends list
- People you follow who also follow you back
You cannot share your location with someone who doesn’t follow you back. Likewise, they won’t be able to see your location either.
Why Some Users Are Concerned
This feature has raised some privacy and safety concerns. Instagram is moving away from intentional sharing, where you post something when you choose, and instead allowing real-time location updates based on app activity.
Here are a few reasons people are pushing back:
- Some users are unaware their location is being shared
- Real-time updates can put people at risk in unsafe situations
- Teens might feel pressure to share their whereabouts or explain why they didn’t
- Personal patterns, like daily routines, can become easy to track
- Location data may still be collected even if this feature is off
Experts warn that even though you can control who sees your location, it’s still easy to forget who has access. That makes it more likely you’re sharing with someone unintentionally.
Is Instagram Location Sharing Optional?
After launching the feature, Instagram emphasized that Friend Map is off by default. You have to turn it on manually.
Instagram’s announcement stated:
“You can opt into sharing your last active location with friends you pick, and you can turn it off anytime.”
Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, also weighed in to address the confusion:
“Your location will only be shared if you decide to share it. It can only be shared with a limited group of people you choose. To start, location sharing is completely off.”
So if you’re worried about privacy, the important takeaway is that your location won’t be shown unless you’ve gone into the settings and activated it yourself.
What Happens When You Use an Instagram Location Tag?
Location tags work differently than Friend Map sharing. If you tag a location in a story, it will show on the map for 24 hours. But it only shows the place you tagged, not your live location. And it’s only visible to your followers.
For example, if you post a story from a coffee shop and add the location tag, that location appears on the map for a day. It’s the same location data Instagram has used for years through stories, posts, and reels.
You’re not suddenly sharing more than you were before. What’s changed is that Instagram has now put that tagged content on a map, making it easier to browse.
How to Turn Off Instagram Location Sharing
If you don’t want your location showing up on the Instagram location map, you can easily turn it off:
- Open Instagram and go to your DMs
- Tap the Map tab at the top
- Tap the Settings icon in the corner
- Under Who can see your location, choose No one
- Tap Update to save your settings
You can also block certain accounts from seeing your location. In the map settings, tap the three dots in the top corner, choose Hide from, select the accounts, and tap Done.
If you want to take it a step further, you can go into your phone settings and completely disable Instagram’s access to your location.
Extra Privacy Controls
Instagram also lets you hide specific locations from the map, even if you’ve shared other information. You’re in full control of what is shown and to whom. If you don’t want to share your location, you don’t have to.
This feature is designed to offer connection, not surveillance. If you don’t want to use it, nothing changes about how you use Instagram.
What About Teen Accounts?
If a teen account is supervised, parents will be notified when location sharing is turned on. Parents can also control whether the teen can access this feature and see who they are sharing their location with.
By default, parents cannot see the teen’s location unless permission has been set up in advance.
Can You Show Up on the Instagram Map Without Realizing?
Some users are reporting that their location appears even though they never enabled Friend Map. The most likely reason is they used a public story with a location tag, which would appear on the map automatically to their followers.
Instagram clarified that this does not mean you are sharing your real-time location. Only location-tagged content will show unless you’ve turned on the full sharing feature. The app does not track or display your live location without your permission.
Should You Use Instagram Location Sharing?
This depends on your situation. If you’re coordinating with friends at an event, it might be helpful. But for everyday use, you may prefer to keep your location private.
If you want to let someone know where you are, sending a quick message works just as well. Tools like Apple’s Find My and Whatsapp “Share live location” allow more control and temporary sharing without exposing your movements to everyone on your list.
The Bottom Line: Instagram Location Sharing
If you’ve seen posts warning that Instagram is suddenly sharing your location, you’re not the only one. But the truth is a little less dramatic. Instagram doesn’t share your location unless you choose to turn that setting on. The new map feature shows stories and places shared by friends, not your real-time location.
Still, the update caught many users off guard. Confusion spread quickly, especially following recent backlash over Meta’s AI data training policies. In many countries, people weren’t clearly told how to opt out, and the steps to do so were hard to find. For a lot of users, this raised bigger concerns about privacy, transparency, and whether they’re actually being given a choice.
These patterns aren’t new. When features roll out without clear explanations, or when privacy settings feel hidden, it’s easy to lose trust. For creators and brands who use Instagram every day, that lack of clarity can be frustrating.
If you want to stop location sharing entirely, now you know how. You can turn off Instagram’s location settings in just a few taps. And if you still want to tag your favorite spots in stories, you can do that without sharing your current location.
