Threads inherits Instagram's location tagging feature

Threads was born as a direct competitor to Twitter (now X) amidst all the controversy over the latter’s management change. Meta already said that it does not intend to turn Threads into another Instagram, so certain features common to modern social networks, like DMs, are not available. However, a seemingly inherited feature from Instagram is now available on Threads: location tagging.

As its name suggests, the new feature allows you to tag the location from which you upload a post. Long-time Instagram users will find this feature quite familiar. Even Facebook (also from Meta) offers a similar option. You can find the option to tag your location from within the Threads post composer.

Meta integrates Instagram’s location tagging into Threads, but without a map

The implementation of the location tagging feature in Threads is a bit less complete than in Instagram. The latter places a “pin” on a map that you can scroll through to see other pinned posts uploaded from that location. However, in Threads, there is no scrollable map with other people’s pins.

Much like on Instagram, you can be more or less specific when tagging your location. You can tag the name of a city, a neighborhood, or even a venue (such as a restaurant). While there isn’t a scrollable map, tapping the location label under the username in a post will show you posts from other users who have tagged that particular location.

For now, the feature appears to be available only in the Threads app for iOS devices. It’s not yet accessible in either the Android app or the web version of Threads. There’s also no official word on when it will be available to everyone. Given Meta’s background regarding the rollout of new features, it’s possible that location tagging is currently available to a percentage of Threads users.

No DMs system in sight for Threads yet

As for other requested features, like DMs, it doesn’t look like they’ll be coming anytime soon. Perhaps the company considers it redundant to offer DMs on Threads and Instagram. After all, Threads originated as an “extension” of Instagram, and the two services even share usernames. So, if you want to send a DM to a Threads user, you can search for them on Instagram. However, the process is a bit cumbersome, and it would be great if the company could make it easier in some way.