Instagram is introducing a new feature aimed at helping college students connect with people on campus, the company announced on Tuesday. The launch comes a week after TikTok rolled out a nearly identical feature.
The new option allows students in the U.S. to add their college or university to their profile banner and browse a list of students at their school.
Students will see an ‘Add School’ option on their profile, which they can click to complete a verification process through the student verification platform UNiDAYS to display their school on their profile. Once the school banner is added, they can choose who is able to see it.
They will also then be able to browse a list of other confirmed students. Instagram says the student directory is designed to make it easier to find classmates and connect with others. Users can choose to browse the entire school or filter by year.
Both Instagram’s and TikTok’s new college-focused features are reminiscent of Facebook’s early days. The idea behind both platforms’ launches is to create a space to connect with other students on campus, which is essentially what Facebook’s original mission was when it launched in 2004 as a way for Harvard students to connect with one another.
The feature’s launch doesn’t come as a surprise, as Instagram was spotted developing it last year.
While the features may be welcome additions for college students looking to find friends, they may also raise privacy concerns, as they could potentially make it easier for people to track others online. Fortunately, the new features are optional, so those who prefer to keep their online presence separate from their student life can choose to simply not add their school to their profile on either platform.
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It’s also worth noting that some may not be fond of the new Instagram feature, as it brings yet another layer to an already overcrowded app.
