Location-based stories are coming soon to Instagram

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Here's what Instagram location stories look like.
Here's what Instagram location stories look like.
Photo: Josh Constantine/TechCrunch

Instagram’s streak of sniping features from Snapchat isn’t about to stop with today’s new addition of Face Filters.

Location-based stories are set to be the next big feature Instagram adds to its toolset, only instead of just copying the way Snapchat curates stories, Instagram plans to tap into one of its ‘hidden gems’ to make stories a powerful tool for all users.

During an appearance at TechCrunch’s Disrupt NYC conference this morning, Instagram VP of Product Kevin Weil confirmed that the feature is already in the testing phase. The location-based stories are kind of like Snapchat’s Stories Search feature, except it doesn’t rely on metadata, machine vision object recognition and the free-form text to identify and aggregate content.

Instagram’s location stories are powered by the location stickers users add, making it easier to find a story and add to it. Once the feature rolls out publicly it will allow users to visit businesses, restaurants, landmarks and other places to see what’s been happening there over the last 24 hours.

Viewing a location’s story, shows users a slideshow of pictures and videos posted by other Grammers at the location, even if you don’t follow the other accounts. The feature could be a solid money-maker for Instagram if it allows brands to advertise in the stories or let businesses influence what is shown on the page.

The ability to add hashtags to stories was also added to Instagram today which could lead to Hashtag Stories in the near future as well. Watch Kevin Weil discuss the significance of the new feature in the video below:

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