Meta and Spotify are reportedly exploring a deeper integration of music within Meta’s Instagram app, potentially allowing users to continuously share the music they’re listening to through Instagram’s Notes feature. The new functionality, currently in testing, was first identified by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, known for uncovering unreleased app features.
Paluzzi shared a screenshot on Meta’s Threads platform, revealing an option that would enable users to “continuously share” their Spotify music on Instagram, rather than manually selecting a song from Instagram’s existing music catalog. The feature would allow users to stop sharing at any time, according to the screenshot.
While this discovery has sparked interest, it’s important to note that companies like Meta and Spotify frequently test new concepts, and the existence of this feature in development doesn’t guarantee a public release shortly.
If launched, this feature would build upon a development introduced over a year ago when Instagram added the ability to share 30-second song clips to Notes. Notes, launched in 2022, allows Instagram users to share brief status updates or messages that appear above their inbox. The song clip feature has been available globally in all markets where Instagram has music licensing rights.
A potential partnership with Spotify could automate the sharing of music on Instagram, allowing users to share their Spotify activity even while using another app. This would enhance Instagram’s content offerings and make it easier for users to share their music tastes with followers.
The feature is reminiscent of social features already available within Spotify’s app. Currently, Spotify users can connect with Facebook to see what their friends are listening to in a separate tab on its desktop app. Spotify has also experimented with a Community feature that would show users in real-time what others are streaming on mobile, though this has not yet been officially launched.
ALSO READ: ELON MUSK’S STARLINK READY FOR USE IN BOTSWANA
In addition to these developments, there have been other signs of a deepening collaboration between Meta and Spotify. Technologist Chris Messina noted that Instagram recently added a “SpotifyiOS.framework” component to its app, suggesting further integration between the two platforms. Messina speculated that this could be part of Instagram’s broader strategy to enhance music discovery, positioning itself as a stronger competitor to TikTok.
Meta and Spotify have previously collaborated on music features, including a 2021 initiative that introduced a mini-player on Facebook, allowing users to stream Spotify directly from the app. Both companies share common grievances with Apple, particularly concerning its App Store policies, which they argue restrict their ability to manage in-app payments and distribution independently.
Additionally, Apple’s privacy feature, App Tracking Transparency (ATT), has impacted Meta’s advertising business, while Apple Music remains a direct competitor to Spotify.
As these companies continue to explore new ways to integrate music and social media, the potential for further collaboration between Meta and Spotify could significantly impact how users discover and share music on Instagram.
