Instant messaging method and device

The invention is suitable for the communication field, providing an instant messaging method and a device. The method comprises the steps of: outputting a map, identifying a user friend in a geographic location where the friend actually is and geographic service information of the geographic location on the map, and identifying the user friend by an icon; receiving a conversation request sent to the user friend identified on the map by the user and establishing a conversation between the user and the user friend; and identifying the geographic service information displayed on the map by the icon and sharing the geographic service information with the friend. According to the embodiment of the instant messaging method and the device, the map is used as a carrier, online friends and geographic service information of the user are identified on the map by icons, the user clicks the icon to initialize a conversation with a friend the user is interested in and clicks the geographic service information displayed on the map to share with friends, so that the actual geographic location of the user and the friends are obviously displayed, thereby bringing a brand-new instant messaging experience to users.