Meta has announced new features for Instagram Direct Messages (DMs) aimed at enhancing how users connect with friends and express themselves. These updates are part of what the company calls “More Ways to Express Yourself and Deepen Friendships in DMs.”
New Sticker Packs for DMs
To make conversations more expressive, Meta has introduced 17 new sticker packs with over 300 stickers. These stickers allow users to react to messages or convey emotions when words fall short. Users can also favorite stickers, making it easier to reuse ones shared by friends or created using cutouts.
Personalize Nicknames in DMs
Meta now allows users to add nicknames for themselves or friends in DMs, simplifying usernames or adding a touch of personalization through inside jokes. Nicknames appear only in private chats and do not affect public Instagram profiles.
Users have full control over who can update nicknames within a chat. By default, only people you follow can make changes, but this setting can be adjusted.
To set a nickname, users can:
- Tap the chat name at the top of a conversation.
- Select “Nicknames.”
- Choose the person to whom they want to assign a nickname.
Location Sharing in DMs
Live location sharing has been introduced to make meetups easier. Users can share their live location for up to one hour, simplifying coordination at crowded events or while making plans.
Key details of location sharing include:
- It’s private and limited to one-on-one or group chats.
- Live location sharing expires after an hour.
- Users can stop sharing their location anytime.
The feature is off by default and only visible to people in the specific chat. Meta advises users to prioritize privacy and share their location only with trusted individuals.
Availability
These features are rolling out this week, though location sharing is currently limited to select countries.