A map-based graphical user interface (GUI) for a social media platform provides a map window that displays an interactive map that is movable within the map window responsive to user input. User icons for respective friend users of a user associated with a client device on which the map-based GUI is generated are displayed in the map window at respective locations on the interactive map. A predefined portion of the map window defines a focus area. Context information for respective friend users are automatically surface for those friend icons located within the focus area, while such context information are automatically omitted or de-surfaced for those friend icons outside of the focus area.