WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform, has introduced a new feature that allows users to add music clips to their status updates, bringing back memories of old school internet nostalgia. The feature, which is rolling out globally over the coming weeks, enables users to add song snippets of up to 15 seconds to photos and 60 seconds to videos.

The music clips can be added to WhatsApp's status feature, which is located in the updates tab and allows users to share text, photo, and video messages that disappear after 24 hours, similar to the Stories feature on Facebook and Instagram. When users tap to add a status, a music note icon will appear at the top of the screen, allowing them to browse through WhatsApp's music library and select the exact part of a track to add to their status.

WhatsApp's music library boasts "millions of songs to choose from," according to the company, making it easy for users to find the perfect track to complement their status updates. The feature is particularly useful for users who want to participate in viral trends or add a personal touch to their updates. Moreover, the music clips are end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that WhatsApp cannot see what users share, and won't know which songs are added to their status updates.

The introduction of music clips to WhatsApp's status updates follows a similar feature rollout on Instagram, and is reminiscent of old internet trends popularized by defunct platforms like AIM and MySpace. The feature is likely to appeal to a younger demographic, who are familiar with similar features on other social media platforms.

The move is seen as an effort by WhatsApp to increase user engagement and attract a younger audience, who are increasingly turning to other platforms like TikTok and Snapchat for social media interactions. By introducing features that are popular on other platforms, WhatsApp aims to stay competitive in the social media landscape.

It remains to be seen how users will respond to the new feature, but with millions of songs to choose from, it's likely that WhatsApp's status updates will become more engaging and entertaining. The feature is expected to roll out globally over the coming weeks, so users can expect to start seeing music clips in their friends' status updates soon.

In the broader context, the introduction of music clips to WhatsApp's status updates highlights the ongoing evolution of social media platforms, which are constantly looking for ways to innovate and stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape. As social media platforms continue to evolve, it will be interesting to see how users adapt to new features and how they impact online interactions.