Add a Favorite Song to Your Instagram Profile for a Myspace Throwback

Instagram has recently introduced a new feature allowing users to add music to their profiles, a move that evokes the nostalgia of Myspace’s early days of social networking. This feature offers a fresh way for users to showcase their personal tastes and enhance their profiles with a soundtrack that resonates with their identity.

Collaborating with pop singer Sabrina Carpenter, Instagram has showcased this feature through a teaser of Carpenter’s new song “Taste,” which she shared on her profile ahead of her upcoming album release. To use this feature, users can navigate to “edit profile” and search for songs within Instagram’s extensive music library. The process allows users to select up to a 30-second snippet of a song, similar to the way music can be chosen for Instagram Reels or Stories. However, unlike Myspace, where background music played automatically upon visiting a profile, Instagram requires users to manually click the play button to hear the song.

Users also have the flexibility to change or remove the song at any time by revisiting the “edit profile” section or by tapping on the current song on their profile. This level of customization ensures that users can keep their profiles fresh and reflective of their evolving musical preferences.

Instagram’s decision to integrate music into profiles follows its earlier forays into music-based features. Since introducing music to Stories in 2018, Instagram has expanded its music capabilities to include Notes and photo carousels. This new profile feature further builds on these efforts, aiming to deepen user engagement and creative expression on the platform.

The timing of this feature’s launch taps into a broader cultural trend where users are increasingly nostalgic for the earlier, more personalized days of social networking. As a result, new social media platforms are emerging, trying to capture this sense of nostalgia. For example, Noplace is a new app focused on customizable, colorful profiles designed for Gen Z users, while other platforms like BeReal, Daylyy, Palmsy, Lapse, and Whee are offering innovative social experiences to compete with Instagram’s dominance.

In introducing this music profile feature, Instagram is strategically positioning itself to retain and engage its user base amid a burgeoning array of new social media platforms. By allowing users to personalize their profiles with music, Instagram leverages a nostalgic element reminiscent of early social networks like Myspace, where users could showcase their musical tastes as a form of self-expression. This update reflects Instagram’s ongoing efforts to enhance user engagement and creativity by integrating multimedia elements into profiles.

The introduction of this feature also serves as a response to the increasing competition from newer social media apps, which are striving to offer unique and engaging experiences. Platforms such as BeReal, Palmsy, and Noplace are tapping into various niches and user preferences, offering fresh and customizable social interactions. Instagram’s new music profile feature aims to differentiate itself by providing a familiar yet innovative way for users to showcase their personality and interests.

By incorporating music into profiles, Instagram not only enriches the user experience but also aims to bolster its position as a leading social media platform. This move is indicative of Instagram's strategy to blend nostalgic elements with contemporary features to maintain its relevance and appeal in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.