Music on static posts or profiles feels very MySpace, but perhaps there is a place for it, and perhaps, forcing people to listen to some Jack Jones track over your holiday snaps will enhance the viewing experience.

Instagram apparently thinks so, as it's adding yet another music element, with users now able to add a song that will play over photo carousel posts.

As explained by IG:

"Whether sharing a summer of memories with friends or moments from your camera roll, you can now add music to your photo carousels. Building off our launch of music for feed photos, anyone can add a song to capture the mood and bring their carousel to life."

Instagram added photos for feed photos last November as part of its expanded music licensing agreements with the major labels.

Now you'll be able to play audio in carousel posts, perhaps that's good for atmosphere-building where relevant and will appeal to some user groups.

Another new feature Instagram's rolling out is its collaborative posting feature, which allows you to post a post with up to three other people, and then see that post appearing in front of a wider audience.

UPDATE Now, you can invite up to three friends to co-author a feed post, carousel or reel. Once they accept, the content will reach each collaborator's audience and appear on each account's profile grid." It's an expansion on Instagram's original collaborative posts option, which it first launched back in 2021. Instagram previewed this latest update last month, with this announcement officially confirming that it's expanding collabs to three people.

Interestingly, Instagram's also testing another collaborative posting element that would enable you to share updates that anyone else would be able to contribute to, leaning into that collaborative approach.
Participation has become a much bigger focus, as opposed to passive consumption, and by enabling people to add their take, that could help Instagram facilitate more engagement on event snaps, experiences, etc.

Finally, Instagram says it's expanding access to its Music Library, with more regions to gain access to the resource "in the coming weeks."

On another front, Instagram's also partnering with Spotify in Mexico and Brazil on a new initiative that will highlight 50 of the most popular songs from Instagram Reels, with a new Reels Music Chart on Spotify.

Given the role that TikTok is now playing in fueling chart hits, that is somewhat of a coup for parent company Meta, which will put more focus on Reels as an originator of music trends.
After all, sound features deeply in social media communication, and it's certainly a crucial thematic connector for younger audiences. It, therefore, makes sense that Instagram extend its available soundtrack options-even if this does mean you may find yourself subject to some objectionably nostalgic tracks when scrolling through the holiday snaps of your mates.

Though I do look forward to subjecting my (few) followers to my favorite music as well. They’re gonna’ hate it.