Instagram update turns it into an even better holiday planner

Is Insta the new Google Maps rival?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

If you’re looking for a new place to grab a bite to eat or get your hair done then forget turning toGoogle Maps– it’s time to open up Instagram.

The photo andshort-form-video-focusedsocial media platform just got a new update for its maps feature that makes it even easier to find popular spots, whether they’re nearby or in a potential holiday destination.

To open the app’s updated map you can either use Explore to search for specific services or to search in a specific area, or you can tap on a location tag on a post or a story to find other nearby destinations.

Once on the map, you can move around to find spots and view Instagram content that’s been tagged there, or, if you’re after something specific, you can use filters to find bars, hotels or salons, among other things.

The map update should already be rolling out to Instagram users onAndroidandiPhone, so you probably have it downloaded, but to be sure we’d recommend heading to theGoogle Play StoreorApp Storeto check if your app has an update waiting to install.

Analysis: Instagram is your new holiday planner

With Instagram’s focus on aesthetics, it can be a great way to search for holiday destinations – and with this new update to maps we can see it becoming an even better option, as it will let you find popular and hidden-gem cafes and restaurants to help make your trip feel that little bit more special.

And it’s not just holidays – these apps are becoming the perfect tools for all sorts of major events. If you need more evidence, check out ourSoftware Editor Daryl Baxter’sarticle onhow TikTok helped him plan his wedding.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

We’re not the only ones starting to look beyond more traditional reviews and searches. As noted byGoogle’s Senior Vice President Prabhakar Raghavan duringFortune’s Brainstorm Tech 2022 event, more and more people are turning to lifestyle apps to find what they’re looking for (viaTechCrunch).

Raghavan revealed that, according to Google’s internal studies, “almost 40% of young people” (those between 18 and 24, in the US) don’t turn to Google Search or Maps, they go to TikTok and Instagram.

Given this trend, it’s no surprise that Instagram would want to capitalize on this interest and improve features like maps. We’ll have to wait and see what updates it rolls out next, but don’t be surprised if discoverability continues to get plenty of love.

Looking for reasons to stick withGoogle Maps? Here arefive great hidden features that Google Mapscan offer you.

Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.

Instagram will now let you post up to 20 photos or videos in a gallery – your friends should be thrilled

Instagram’s new AI image editor makes your life look more exciting than it is

Your doctor may have an AI assistant taking notes during your next Zoom call