In the ever-evolving world of social media, itโs not unusual for platforms to borrow and repurpose each otherโs features. Instagram, one of the most popular social media platforms today, has now introduced a new music feature resembling one of Myspaceโs iconic offerings. Yes, you read that correctlyโInstagram has taken a page from Myspaceโs playbook, a platform that saw its heyday long before Instagram existed.
How does the new feature work?
So, how does this new feature operate? Instagram users can now attach a song to their profile, bringing back memories of the early days of Myspace. To do this, go to your profile settings, select “Add music to your profile,” and choose your desired track. You can search for songs or browse the “For You” section. Once youโve selected a song, you can pick a specific 30-second segment to feature on your profile. This snippet will remain until you decide to change it or perhaps realise that certain features might be better left in the past.
But donโt worryโunlike Myspace, where music plays automatically as soon as you land on a profile, Instagramโs approach is more subtle. The song wonโt start playing unless you click the play button, allowing you to avoid any unexpected audio surprises when scrolling through profiles in public.
A star-studded promotion
Instagram hasnโt introduced this feature quietly. The platform has teamed up with singer Sabrina Carpenter to promote this new addition. Fans of the artist can get an exclusive first listen to a clip of her latest song, “Taste,” directly on her profile.
This isnโt the first time Instagramโs parent company, Meta, has collaborated with major pop stars to roll out new features. Earlier this year, Meta partnered with Taylor Swift to launch her Threads account in conjunction with the release of her album “The Tortured Poet Society” in April. As a bonus, the first group of people who shared her post received a unique badge on their profiles, further cementing the connection between social media and pop culture.
A nod to nostalgia
Instagramโs decision to introduce a MySpace-like feature is undoubtedly a nod to nostalgia. Myspace, once a dominant force in social media, eventually faded as platforms like Facebook and Instagram rose to prominence. Now, Instagram appears to be reviving one of Myspaceโs most memorable features, perhaps appealing to users who remember the early days of social media or simply looking to offer a new way to personalise profiles.
Whether this feature will become as iconic on Instagram as on Myspace remains to be seen. However, Instagram continues to experiment and innovate, even if it means drawing inspiration from platforms of the past.
