News

Instagram's New Location Feature For Stories Will Help You Travel Like A Pro

Instagram

Guys, Instagram just released another cool feature, and it's getting pretty hard to keep up with all the exciting new developments on the photo app.

Just last week, Instagram rolled out face filters similar to those on Snapchat, and we quickly became obsessed with all the new selfie possibilities (I'm a sucker for the bunny ears).

When the application announced the filter feature, they also introduced users to even more new assets like the hashtag sticker and the eraser brush. You better believe I've been using the hashtag sticker like crazy.

Instagram

Just when we thought the Insta surprises were over, the company released new location and hashtag Explore features, which let users browse stories depending on the location and hashtag attached to them, Bustle reports.

The new feature began today, May 23 -- so pack your virtual bags and start exploring the world at your fingertips.

Before you embark on your Instagram journey, you should read some helpful tips about how to use the the feature to its fullest potential. If you use it the right way, you'll be able to travel like a pro in no time, because you'll know about all the coolest spots before you even visit them.

In order to use the location feature and add it to the public Explore story, all you need to do is tag your photo or video with a location hashtag you'd like to be included in, and then, voila! Your footage will be added to that city's explore page.

By doing this, you'll be able to help people see your location in real time. This can totally help them figure out what kind of cool places are in the area, and what the conditions are like at the time.

In other words, travelers will be thanking you.

Instagram

However, if you're the traveler hoping to experience a new city or place through a location's Explore story, all you need to do is search for the location or hashtag page and check to see if their public story is available.

On the other hand, the location feature will show you local stories depending on what city you're in.

For example, I live in New York City. So if I was chilling in my apartment on a Saturday morning in Brooklyn trying to decide whether or not I should take a spontaneous trip into Manhattan, I can look at the NYC Explore story and see what's going on.

Instagram

Instagram also released a hashtag feature that will let users explore different stories depending on a given hashtag. So, if you were looking for different cooking ideas, you might search #onthetable.

Instagram
Instagram

See! Look at all the delicious dishes available at the touch of a button.

Both location and hashtag Explore stories will be available for 24 hours, since that is the standard duration of a typical Instagram story.

Next time you're looking for a place to travel to, type in your favorite city's location and see what's happening in real time. You're bound to find some exciting new areas to check out.