Instagram Revamps Explore, Search Features To Make It Easier To Find Trending Places, Tags, Videos

Instagram on Tuesday rolled out an update for the iPhone and Android version of its app that will beef up search and explore features. The update to the popular video-sharing app introduces trending places and trending tags to Instagram's explore page and adds place search capabilities.

Instagram's revamped explore page will show users pictures and videos that are posted with trending tags, which are the most popular hashtags at the given moment. For example, #fathersday would've been a trending tag this past weekend.

Explore will also show trending places, which works similarly to trending tags and will surface pictures and videos from locations where many users are posting content. "The new Explore now surfaces trends as they emerge in real time, connecting you to events and conversations both near you and around the globe," Instagram said in a blog post.

Besides explore, Instagram has also improved its search feature, adding the ability to look for content based on location. Until now, users have been limited to searching for people and hashtags. "With the new Places Search, you can now peer in at just about any location on earth, allowing you to scout out your next vacation spot in the South Pacific, get a look inside that hot new restaurant, or experience your favorite music festival," Instagram said.

Instagram is also adding a new top search feature that is capable of searching places, people and hashtags all at once.