Connect better with friends through DMs on Instagram

Instagram introduces innovations to enrich the experience in your direct messages, including more than 300 new stickers, custom nicknames and a real-time location sharing option.

Instagram has announced a series of updates that seek to transform interaction through direct messages (DM), integrating tools that encourage creativity and facilitate connections between friends.

These improvements include 17 new sticker packs, a nickname system for contacts, and the ability to share locations in real time. Below, we explore how these developments promise to redefine communication on the platform.

Express more with stickers: creativity in every message

Stickers are a popular way to add pizzazz and emotion to online conversations. Instagram has expanded its library with 17 new packages totaling more than 300 stickers to use in DMs. These designs allow you to capture feelings, reactions or unique moments that words cannot convey.

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A notable feature is the possibility of save favorite stickers from conversations, including those shared by your friends or created through custom snippets. This tool facilitates quick access to your favorite stickers and encourages a more personal exchange.

“Stickers are a fun way to interact, and with this new collection, users will have even more options to express themselves authentically,” an Instagram spokesperson commented on its official blog.

Custom nicknames: more closeness in your chats

Another significant addition is the introduction of the custom nicknamesa tool that allows users to assign unique names to their friends within DMs. This feature is perfect for creating a more intimate atmosphere, whether through inside jokes or simplifying complex usernames.

To set a nickname, just:

1. Tap the chat name at the top of the conversation.
2. Select the “Nicknames” option and assign a new name.

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Importantly, these nicknames are exclusive to private conversations and do not affect public usernames on Instagram. Additionally, participants can decide who has control to edit these nicknames.

Share your location: simpler and safer meetings

One of the most innovative features is the real-time location sharing optiondesigned to facilitate meetings and coordinate activities between friends. Users can choose between:

• Share location in real time for up to 1 hour.
• Pin a specific point on the map to simplify the organization of meetings in crowded spaces such as concerts or events.

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This system includes robust security measures:

• Only people in the selected chat can see the location.
• A visual indicator at the top of the chat notifies that the location is active.
• Live location automatically expires after one hour and can be turned off at any time.

This feature is currently only available in select countries, but is expected to reach more regions soon.

“Location sharing is a powerful tool for bringing people closer together in real life, but we also remind users to be careful and share this information only with people they trust,” Instagram noted.

With these updates, Instagram seeks to maintain its position as one of the most used platforms for social communication. DMs have become a space not only to share content, but to strengthen relationships through personalized and safe interactions.

These features come at a time when messaging apps are competing to offer innovative features that improve the user experience. By integrating these tools, Instagram not only reinforces its commitment to creativity, but also to the privacy and security of its users.

With the introduction of more than 300 new stickers, custom nicknames and the option of share locations in real timeInstagram is taking DMs to a deeper level of interaction. These improvements not only simplify communication, they enrich it, providing new ways to connect in an increasingly dynamic digital world.