New Instagram Updates You Need to Know (August 2025)

In the ever-changing world of social media trends, Instagram updates aren’t just nice to have; they’re survival gear. Without them, the platform risks feeling stale.

August’s Instagram updates bring three new features: the Repost feature, Instagram Map, and the Friends Tab in Reels.

Each one is designed to boost connection, make sharing easier, and help you actually see what your friends (or customers) are up to.

Overview of the August 2025 Instagram updates

So what are these new Instagram updates exactly, we hear you ask?

Repost Feature: Share public posts and reels directly to your own profile, with proper credit to the original creator. Discover the power of influencers through engagement growth.

Instagram Map: An opt-in, location-based tool showing posts tagged to specific places. Think “Snap Map meets TripAdvisor,” minus the live-tracking.

Friends Tab in Reels: A personalised feed showing reels from people you follow and care about, separate from the endless scroll of algorithm-recommended videos.

All three fit neatly into Meta’s bigger push for real-time, community-driven interaction. Meaning less faceless scrolling, more intentional connection from these important features.

Repost Feature

This works a lot like the retweet on X (formerly Twitter).

Tap the repost icon on any public post or reel, and it appears in your dedicated Reposts tab, leaving your main feed clutter-free. You can even add a note to share your thoughts or mood.

For creators:

• Reach new audiences and get your content seen without reinventing the wheel.

• Drive organic traffic to your profile and content.

• Fill content gaps by reposting complementary material.

For brands:

• Spotlight influencer content to boost campaign reach.

• Curate diverse feeds without starting from scratch, finding the perfect influencers.

• Leverage user-generated content for trust and social proof.

Alex Payne put it as “If no one’s sharing your stuff unless you’ve paid them, you’ll see it.” In other words,  the repost tab is an ideal test for a genuine community.

Instagram Map Feature

This interactive map lets you explore trending spots, events, and tagged posts in any area. You can filter by category: cafes, attractions, events and tap to see what’s happening.

Privacy controls are embedded so your location is only visible if you choose to tag it, and you can limit or disable location sharing entirely.

For creators:

• Tagging popular spots boosts discovery.
• Location tags keep content visible long after posting.
• Attract viewers who weren’t searching for you directly.

For brands:

• Promote events to nearby audiences.

• Boost foot traffic by encouraging location tags.

• Target travellers browsing a city or region.

Safety tips:

• Tag after you’ve left, not while you’re there.

• Double-check your privacy settings regularly.

Think of it as discovery meets digital tourism without the creep factor.

Friends Tab Feature

Finally, a Reels feed that prioritises your friends (and loyal followers) instead of strangers dancing in their kitchens.

The Friends Tab gives creators and brands a clear channel for their core audience without competing against viral chaos.

For creators:

• Guaranteed visibility to followers who care.

• Targeted space for community-focused content.

• Higher retention through direct engagement.

For brands:

• Stronger community marketing for engaged customers.
• More valuable engagement from loyal followers.
• Ability to run dual strategies, one for partners, one for broad consumer reach.

The new friends tab feature lets you see Reels from the people you follow closely, making interactions more personal.

Why do you need these Instagram updates?

August’s Instagram updates aren’t just for scrolling, they’re tools to grow, engage, and stand out.

Repost Feature: Share content from others while keeping your feed authentic. Creators expand reach through collaborations; brands highlight user-generated content and influencers without creating everything themselves. Credit always goes to the original creator.

Friends Tab: Reach the people who care. Creators boost engagement with loyal followers, while brands strengthen community ties and meaningful interactions over chasing virality.

Instagram Map: Location-based discovery drives visibility. Creators get found by tagging popular spots; brands attract local audiences, promote events, and showcase their physical presence.

In short, these updates help brands and creators grow smarter, engage deeper, and turn posts into real audience connections.

How to adapt your marketing strategies with these updates

Alex Payne hit the nail on the head by saying, “You can’t fake community anymore. And I think that’s a good thing.”

These new Instagram updates are a truth serum for engagement, and if your community is real, it will show. If it’s not… that will show too.

Strategy shifts to consider:

• Engage for real, no more ghost-scrolling; reply, comment, and share.

• Use the Friends Tab for targeted, personal Reels.

• Strategically repost to boost mutual visibility with collaborators.

• Leverage the Map for local discovery and event promotion.

Pro tips for combining features:

• Post a location-tagged Reel, then repost it for extended reach.

• Encourage organic reposts from your audience, which is now more visible than ever.

• Cross-promote so your content appears in both the Friends Tab and Map.

• Follow up on interactions spotted in the Friends Tab to deepen relationships.

The takeaway? Authentic interaction is no longer optional; it's everything. And those who use it well stand to earn serious trust (and reach). Elevate your brand today.

FAQs

What is the new Instagram update?
The August update brings the Reposts tab, Instagram Map, and Friends Tab in Reels, all aimed at deeper connection and smarter sharing.

What does the new update on Instagram do?

Instagram's latest update focuses on enhancing social connections and creative expression.

What is the 5-3-1 rule on Instagram?

For every 5 posts you like, leave 3 meaningful comments, and follow 1 new account. It’s a simple engagement-building formula.

Does the new Instagram update show who viewed your profile?

Nope. You’re safe from that particular anxiety spiral.

How do I get updates on Instagram?

Enable auto-updates in your app store or manually refresh Instagram.

What's next

Instagram is forever thinking of new and innovative ways to reimagine social media. Here are some of the next Instagram updates we could expect to see in the not-too-distant future: 

• Reels Editing Upgrade: Think green screens, AI effects, and more creative tools. Reels are about to get way more fun.
• Blends 2.0: Collaborating with friends will get cooler with more ways to mix and match content for dynamic, personalised posts.
• Smarter Content Discovery: AI-driven recommendations will help you stumble across Reels and posts that actually matter to you.

Instagram’s focus is clear: more creativity, more connection, and less scrolling aimlessly.

Conclusion

So, try the latest Instagram updates out, experiment with different combinations, and see how they fit into your strategy. 

Then watch what happens because now, the genuineness of your community will be impossible to fake.

Book a demo today on The Influence Room and boost your content with the new Instagram update.

And given Instagram’s current pace, it’s safe to bet more features are coming. Until then, happy posting.