Instagram is making it a lot easier for all musicians to sell NFTs

Instagram is testing digital collectibles with select US creators and collectors to share NFTs that they have created or bought.

Current plans do not include NFT creation, but Instagram’s moves are bringing NFTs further into the mainstream and offering a powerful new sales channel for musicians and other creators.

The new feature includes:

• Connecting a digital wallet. Once connected, creators and collectors will have the ability to choose which NFTs from their wallets they would like to share on Instagram. 
• Sharing digital collectibles. Once a creator or collector posts a digital collectible, it will have a shimmer effect and can display public information, such as a description of the NFT. Posts will also be visible on their profile.
• Automatic tagging of both the creator and collector. The creator and collector can be automatically attributed in the digital collectible post (subject to their privacy settings).

“Empowering diverse voices”

In announcing the initiative Instagram said: “It’s critical that our early efforts in this space empower diverse voices and that underrepresented groups have access to emerging digital assets like NFTs. By building support for NFTs, we aim to improve accessibility, lower barriers to entry, and help make the NFT space more inclusive to all communities. 

If you want to see digital collectibles in action on Instagram, you can follow these accounts: @adambombsquad, @bluethegreat, @bossbeautiesnft, @c.syresmith, @cynthiaerivo, @garyvee, @jenstark, @justmaiko, @maliha_z_art, @misshattan, @nopattern, @oseanworld, @paigebueckers, @phiawilson, @swopes and @yungjake. 

Bruce Houghton is Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and serves as a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown which acquired both publications in 2019. He is the Founder and President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.