New searchable Instagram map gives visibility to local businesses

Instagram making it easier for users to discover restaurants, cafes, hotels and other local businesses.

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A searchable Intstagram map was introduced today by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg via an Instagram Story. 

This new map helps users discover popular local businesses and filter by categories, such as restaurants or hotels.

Why we care. Google recently revealed that Instagram has become a serious competitor. Almost 40% of younger users (age 18-24) are discovering businesses on Instagram and TikTok, not from Google Maps or search.

How businesses can get discovered. Instagram users can find local businesses by:

  • Tapping location tags in Feed posts, Stories or Guides. 
  • Searching for a city name, neighborhood or place on the Explore page.
  • Doing a hashtag search, (e.g., #boston).

Instagram users can also save and revisit locations or share places via direct messages with friends or groups. Users who add your location tags or stickers will make it appear on the map.


About the author

Danny Goodwin
Staff
Danny Goodwin is Editorial Director of Search Engine Land & Search Marketing Expo - SMX. He joined Search Engine Land in 2022 as Senior Editor. In addition to reporting on the latest search marketing news, he manages Search Engine Land’s SME (Subject Matter Expert) program. He also helps program U.S. SMX events.

Goodwin has been editing and writing about the latest developments and trends in search and digital marketing since 2007. He previously was Executive Editor of Search Engine Journal (from 2017 to 2022), managing editor of Momentology (from 2014-2016) and editor of Search Engine Watch (from 2007 to 2014). He has spoken at many major search conferences and virtual events, and has been sourced for his expertise by a wide range of publications and podcasts.

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