As of Instagram's 2026 updates, these three Instagram settings — Sharing and Reuse, Location Sharing, and Activity Status — control how much of your activity and content are visible to others. Here's what to check and why.
1. Check Your Sharing and Reuse Settings
Instagram now lets other people, and some Meta AI features, reuse certain public content.
Depending on the settings, others may be able to:
- Remix Reels
- Reuse original audio
- Download Reels
- Embed posts on other websites
- Share content outside Instagram
For creators, some of these tools can help reach a larger audience.
For everyone else, they may not be necessary.
Why it matters
The easier it is to download or reuse content, the easier it becomes for scammers and impersonators to copy photos, videos, or audio.
That doesn't mean these features are unsafe. It simply means they're worth reviewing to make sure they're set the way they're intended.
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Where to find it
Settings and Activity → Sharing and Reuse
Take a minute to review each option and turn off anything that isn't needed.
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2. Review Location Sharing
Instagram recently introduced location sharing, making it easier to let friends know where someone is.
Convenient? Sometimes.
Necessary? Not for everyone.
Location can be shared with:
- Friends
- Close Friends
- Specific people
- Nobody
Why it matters
Sharing a live location gives others real-time information about where someone is, not just where they were.
For most people, there's simply no reason to leave this turned on all the time.
If the account is ever compromised, or if the wrong person gains access, that information becomes even more valuable.
Choosing "No One" is usually the safest option unless location sharing is being used intentionally.
Where to find it
Settings and Activity → Story, Live and Location → Location Sharing
Double-check who can see the location, or turn it off completely.
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3. Turn Off Activity Status
Instagram can tell other people when someone is online or when they were last active.
Many users don't even realize this feature is enabled.
Why it matters
Activity status reveals patterns.
It tells people when someone is active, when they're likely to reply, and when they're using the app.
That information might seem harmless, but it's one more piece of personal information that doesn't need to be public.
Turning it off is a simple way to add another layer of privacy.
Where to find it
Settings and Activity → Messages and Story Replies → Show Activity Status
If there's no need for people to know when the account is active, switch it off.
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Small Privacy Changes Can Make a Big Difference
Most online scams don't start with sophisticated technology.
They start with information.
The more someone can learn about an account, the easier it becomes to build trust, impersonate someone, or create a convincing scam.
That's why it's a good habit to review privacy settings every time Instagram rolls out new features.
A few small changes today can help keep personal information exactly where it belongs, with the people it's meant to be shared with.
FAQ
Start by reviewing Sharing and Reuse, Location Sharing, and Activity Status. These settings affect how content and personal information are shared with others.
It can be useful when intentionally sharing with trusted people. If it's not being used, turning it off is the safest option.
For most people, yes. Disabling Activity Status prevents others from seeing when the account is online or when it was last active.
Depending on the account settings, public content may be available for remixing, downloading, or embedding on other websites. Review the Sharing and Reuse settings to control how content is shared.
A good rule of thumb is to check them whenever Instagram introduces new features or every few months to make sure nothing has changed unexpectedly.
