A method and apparatus of the instant messaging

The present invention is applicable to the field of communications, there is provided a method and apparatus for instant messaging, the method comprising the steps of: output map, representative of location of buddy physically located on the map, and the user's friends identified geographic location the service information, and an icon identifying the buddy user; receiving a session request sent by the user to identify the user's friends on a map, and establishes a session between the user and the friend; geographic information icon to identify the displayed map, and friends share the geographic information service. Embodiments of the invention to the map as a carrier, an icon on the map to identify the user's online friends and geographic information services, users click on the icon with the location of interest friends initiate a session, click on the geographic information service with friends to share displayed on the map, clear shows the actual geographical location of the user and friends, give the user a new instant messaging experience.