After a public launch in December 2022, Instagram Notes is now getting its first set of new features. Currently, Instagram Notes allows users to leave a status message that appears at the top of their inbox for their Close Friends or mutuals. With today’s update, Notes will also support music and translations.
Music Notes: A New Way to Express Yourself
Before, users’ Notes could only include text and emoji. However, with this new update, they’ll be able to share a 30-second clip of a song as another way to express themselves. The expectation is that people will use the new Music Notes to share their moods, feelings, or just what favorite song they’ve been listening to lately.
In addition to sharing the clip, users can add a caption to a Music Note to share their thoughts too, if they choose. This feature will be supported in all markets worldwide where Instagram has music licensing rights.
Notes Translations: Breaking Language Barriers
The other new feature arriving with today’s update is Notes Translations. This feature allows users to tap a ‘See translation’ link below a note in a different language, and have it translated into their own language. Instagram already supports translations across other areas of its app, such as in Post descriptions, comments, and Reels.
This new feature is simply making that same functionality available to Instagram Notes. During testing of Notes ahead of its launch late last year, Meta found users appreciated having a way to start conversations with friends in a lighthearted way.
The Purpose of Instagram Notes
Instagram Notes was introduced as a way for users to share text-based updates with their friends. It allows users to type out a Note with up to 60 characters of text or emoji, which appears at the top of friends’ inboxes for 24 hours. Replies to Notes then come in through DMs (Direct Messages).
Though it may have been under the radar, given the lack of adoption among certain friend groups, Instagram Notes has been allowing the company to experiment with text-based updates ahead of the launch of its Twitter clone, now in active development.
The Future of Instagram Notes
In fact, Instagram had considered leveraging Notes as something of a Twitter competitor. However, it’s unclear how its coming launch will ultimately impact user adoption or the company’s investment in the less prominent Instagram Notes feature.
The new features will begin rolling out today across Instagram’s global install base. However, users may not see them immediately, as large-scale rollouts can take time.
Conclusion
Instagram Notes is a unique feature that allows users to share text-based updates with their friends. With this new update, Notes will also support music and translations. This will give users more ways to express themselves and connect with their friends on the platform. The future of Instagram Notes remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: it’s an exciting time for Instagram and its users.
Additional Information
- Music Licensing Rights: Instagram has music licensing rights in all markets worldwide.
- Note Limitations: Users can type out a Note with up to 60 characters of text or emoji.
- Translation Support: Notes Translations will be supported across all areas of the app where translations are currently available.
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Sources
- Meta: Meta’s official blog
- The New York Times: The New York Times’ article on Instagram Notes
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