Instagram introduces in-app music previews for Spotify-shared stories

Instagram has officially rolled out a long-awaited feature, allowing users to listen to music previews directly in Stories when a song is shared via Spotify. Until now, songs added to Instagram Stories only displayed the album cover and a link to Spotify, without playing any audio. This update changes that, offering users a short music preview without having to leave the Instagram app.

With the new feature, anyone viewing a Story that includes a Spotify song can hear a snippet of the track directly through Instagram. This enhancement supports Instagram’s broader efforts to enhance music-driven content creation and keep users engaged within the platform.

According to TechCrunch, this is not the first collaboration between Instagram and Spotify in recent weeks. A similar integration was previously added to Instagram Notes, a feature that allows users to share short updates with close friends.

Spotify integration now live in Instagram Notes

Instagram recently introduced Spotify support for its Notes feature, enabling users to share their favorite songs in their Notes section. Friends can listen to the shared songs in real time, fostering a new kind of social interaction centered around music.

With this development, Instagram is offering users a space for spontaneous music sharing, reinforcing the platform’s community aspect and aiming to capture the social audio trend.

These updates underscore Instagram’s strategic response to the growing influence of TikTok in the music industry. By embedding music directly into Stories and Notes, Instagram seeks to increase user interaction and extend time spent within the app. TikTok’s seamless music discovery has already proven effective in boosting songs on global charts, and Instagram’s new tools aim to rival that impact.

In addition to music features, Instagram has also announced a visual upgrade coming soon. On Monday, the platform revealed it is working on new fonts for Stories and Reels. As part of this rollout, a limited-edition font inspired by the handwriting of Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía will be introduced.

When users type certain expressions like “:-)”, “***”, or “<3” using this font, unique hand-drawn symbols by Rosalía will be revealed. This creative detail is aimed at younger audiences and adds a playful, personal touch to content shared on the platform.

These combined updates highlight Instagram’s continued push to innovate and stay competitive in the dynamic world of social media.