Instagram rolls out live location sharing and nicknames to DMs

The photo and video sharing app, Instagram, has introduced new features to enhance its Direct Messages (DMs) that include ability to assign nicknames to friends and  share live locations.

The app also rolled out 17 new sticker packs to give users more options for personalising their chats.

The feature of location allows users to share their real-time whereabouts with friends for up to one hour at a time. The update is designed to help friends find each other at events like outings or concerts.

The new feature is available in one-on-one and group chats, but is turned off by default.

The new update works like Snapchat’s SnapMap, though without the map view that displays everyone who shares their location.

In addition, the users of Instagram can now give nicknames to their friends in group chats. These nicknames are private within the chat that cannot be seen by outsiders.

If users do not like the nicknames given to them, they have the option to lock others out from editing their names.

This feature allows for a more personalised chat experience.

Along with nicknames and location sharing, the app is rolling out 17 new sticker packs, bringing more than 300 new stickers.