Meta and Spotify are reportedly working on deeper integration of music features within Meta’s Instagram app. According to a recent discovery by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, the companies are testing a new feature that would allow users to continuously share the music they’re listening to through Instagram’s Notes. While this doesn’t guarantee a public launch in the near future, it suggests that Meta and Spotify are exploring ways to enhance the music-sharing experience on Instagram.
The potential addition builds on an existing feature introduced by Instagram last year, which allows users to share 30-second song clips in Notes. This feature is available in all markets where Instagram has music licensing rights. A partnership with Spotify could automate these song postings, enabling Instagram to have a constant stream of content even when users are engaged with other apps.
This new feature aligns with Spotify’s efforts to incorporate more social features into its platform. Currently, Spotify allows users to connect with Facebook and see what their friends are streaming in a separate tab on the desktop app. The company has also tested a Community feature that shows real-time streams of what others are listening to on mobile. However, Spotify recognizes that many users still rely on dedicated social networking apps for music discovery, where they have built their friend networks and regularly check in.
There have been other indications of a collaboration between Meta and Spotify. Technologist Chris Messina noticed that Instagram added a “SpotifyiOS.framework” component to its app recently. This suggests that the integration between Instagram and Spotify has been in the works for some time. Furthermore, both companies have previously worked together on music initiatives, including a miniplayer on Facebook that streams Spotify directly from the app.
Meta and Spotify’s shared challenges with Apple may also be a driving force behind their collaboration. Both companies believe that Apple’s App Store policies limit their control over in-app payments and app distribution, forcing them to share app revenue with Apple. Additionally, Apple’s privacy feature, app tracking transparency (ATT), has impacted Meta’s ads business, while Apple Music competes directly with Spotify.
While Meta and Spotify have not provided any official comments on these developments, the exploration of deeper music integration on Instagram suggests that both companies are actively seeking ways to enhance the music experience on social media platforms. This collaboration could provide users with more seamless and engaging ways to share and discover music on Instagram.
