Systems, devices, methods, and instructions are described for generating and using expressive icons with status indicators for a map based graphical user interface (GUI). One embodiment involves accessing location information, map data icon information, and action indicator information associated with an account of a social media platform. A device then causes generation of a combined action icon generated using the icon information and the action indicator and causes display of a map interface with the map data and the combined action icon positioned at a location indicated by the location information.