Instagram is expanding the Notes function to include audio snippets

Instagram is expanding the functionality of Notes, the text-based updates that are similar to AIM statuses and away messages.

Users can now include a 30-second song clip in their status update along with a brief sentence that describes the song. Then, friends can access the music to hear the sample. For postings in other languages, Instagram is also putting a translation button below Notes.

Notes, which were first released in December, combine aspects of Twitter and away messages. The feature, which has a 60-character limit, is intended to be a dynamic status that is shorter than a post on the grid or even a story. The inclusion of music is reminiscent of AIM away messages, but with the ability to link and share the song you're now listening to rather than just posting the title and artist.

Instagram has adopted a new strategy in which it is investing in text-based products that can challenge Twitter. Notes are but a minor portion of this strategy. Leaked screenshots from Instagram's still-in-development Twitter-like app were revealed last month. Additionally, last week, Meta staff members were given a sneak preview of the app that will serve as "[Meta's] response to Twitter."

“We’ve been hearing from creators and public figures who are interested in having a platform that is sanely run, that they believe that they can trust and rely upon for distribution,” chief product officer Chris Cox told Meta employees. Oprah and the Dalai Lama are reportedly interested in using the new messaging app, but let's start with cryptic and melancholy status updates à la AIM first.