It's like a throwback to 2007 MySpace, as Instagram introduces the ability to feature your current favorite song on your profile, allowing you to showcase your musical taste to those visiting your profile.

Because music is an essential part of your identity, right? The song you choose can say a lot about who you are, right?

This concept was the driving force behind MySpace's profile song feature, which featured autoplaying tracks that would play as visitors explored your MySpace profile.

Instagram's version is a bit different, as the song won't autoplay in the app (thankfully). However, it does offer a way to highlight your current favorite track.

According to Instagram:

“We’re excited to announce that you can now add a song to your profile, giving you more ways to express yourself through music. Your profile song selection will remain on your profile until you choose to change it.”

So, pretty cool, right? Now you can showcase your favorite bands and artists while also sharing a glimpse of your personality through your music choices.

Instagram has actually been testing this feature for some time, with initial trials of songs on profiles observed back in 2022.

Facebook has also experimented with a similar feature, but it received minimal engagement. Now, it’s making its way to Instagram, with younger users likely being the primary target audience for this addition.

So why launch it now?

Instagram appears to be aiming to incorporate more music features overall, possibly anticipating a future in the U.S. without TikTok. TikTok has become a crucial platform for music promotion, to the extent that many music publishers now view it as essential, with some artists even renaming their songs to align with current trends.

If TikTok were to be banned in the U.S., all that music promotion would need to find a new home, and Instagram is positioning itself as the top alternative in the social media landscape.

In line with this strategy, Instagram has also introduced “Add Yours Music” stickers, allowing users to respond to Stories with a song. Additionally, it has integrated music into Notes, displayed song lyrics in Reels, and rolled out other music-related features.

Therefore, this new addition fits well within the broader context, and it may resonate with younger audiences, particularly those who don’t have memories of the awkward days of MySpace profile customization.

Perhaps this will turn out to be a valuable update, although it’s important not to judge others based solely on their musical preferences.