Facebook Begins Letting Users Share Music (Updated)

For the longest time I’ve complained that Facebook should make it possible to share MP3 files on the site, without requiring users to upload the files. By simply providing a player for linked files, they can make the users responsible for any MP3 they link to. This evening I noticed that one of my friends had shared an MP3 in their feed, and now it appears that anytime you link to an MP3 you can enter the song title, artist, and album, and it will be playable from within the feed.

The one downside of this new feature is that numerous sites prevent others from hotlinking to MP3s hosted on their site. The primary reason is that it ends up using a ton of bandwidth. So for all those hype machine songs you were looking to share, you may have to host the songs yourself, as many of the songs are hosted on file sharing sites that prevent hot linking.

There are plenty of blogs that host their own MP3s however and now users can instantly share the music from within Facebook without having to install any form of third party application. While we haven’t been able to figure out how to browse through the other MP3s that we’ve shared, Facebook could theoretically expand this feature into a broad “Audio” application. We first saw signs of a Facebook Audio product back in September, but this is the first time we’ve been able to share music directly from our profile.

We’ve reached out to Facebook for more information on this service and will update the post when we hear something back. If you can’t figure out how to use the product, simply share a link from your profile and make sure the link ends in “.mp3″.

Update
One commenter has suggested this isn’t new. Perhaps I’ll go ahead and switch the title to “How To Share Music On Facebook”! I’m waiting to hear back from Facebook for more information. Also, the last “Facebook Audio” product we discussed for Facebook Pages has been available for a couple years. We simply thought this was a new implementation for users but apparently not! Have you used this feature before or is this new to you?

Tags:Music

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1244037 Comments2010-03-18+04%3A32%3A44Nick+O%27Neill »

I don't mean to bust your chops Nick, but Facebook has done this for a REALLY long time. A REALLY REALLY long time. I don't remember a time where it didn't.

You just post them as a link. I've been doing it for maybe a year at least.

Comment by Navarr Tethyr Barnie — March 17, 2010 @ 8:35 pm
As a follow up comment, Twitter Also details for websites how to set up the an Audio (the music player) preview for their website on the share page: http://wiki.developers.facebook.com/index.php/Fac...

Comment by Navarr Tethyr Barnie — March 17, 2010 @ 8:49 pm
I use it frequently. I remember when I "discovered" it I thought it was very cool as well.

Comment by Facebook User — March 17, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
Yup, this is really old

Comment by Raul Riera — March 17, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
"Have you used this feature before or is this new to you?"

I used it quiet often.

Comment by Zulkarnain Kencana — March 17, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
Oh, BTW, you can do it on Google Buzz as well
http://www.google.com/buzz/zoolcar9/QRNpR7NXMsD/

Comment by Zulkarnain Kencana — March 17, 2010 @ 9:38 pm
Since at least November of 2009. See twitpic: http://twitpic.com/19a2db

Comment by Joshua Guffey — March 17, 2010 @ 10:02 pm
I just knew this feature.but then I'll try it.

Comment by jacobian — March 17, 2010 @ 10:03 pm
This has been around since probably 2006 at the latest, maybe before. It SEEMS new because, well, it doesn't always work right…

Comment by Nathan Rein — March 17, 2010 @ 10:08 pm
You guys should write about winamp next.

Comment by sean percival — March 17, 2010 @ 10:18 pm
Yep, definitely change the title, Nick. I remember this feature for as long as I have used Facebook (which is for at least 3 years)

Comment by Raphael Pungin — March 18, 2010 @ 12:01 am
Just checked, and I have an mp3 I shared over 13 months ago. Definitely not a new feature.

Comment by Shaun McLane — March 18, 2010 @ 1:36 am
Post fail.

Comment by J-Mass — March 18, 2010 @ 4:42 am
like

Comment by Emanuel Ukago — March 18, 2010 @ 6:31 am
Sharing music on Facebook is a great feature. I continually share all sorts of media with my network, and have shared mp3s for quite a while… Your point RE: bandwidth is a good one, because some folks might not realize.

Comment by Becky Cortino — March 18, 2010 @ 7:35 am
Hmmmm…

Comment by bee — March 18, 2010 @ 8:54 am
Wasn't aware of it, thanks!

Comment by Chris — March 18, 2010 @ 11:42 am
yeah, i noticed it a couple of days ago when i shared an mp3 with some people, very cool!

Comment by adelaide dancing — March 18, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
Hi Nick,

http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/09/facebook-audio...

As mentioned in the comments on your September post, the Vitrue SRM has been publishing audio to the Wall for over a year. Our tools gives Facebook marketers the ability to customize the meta tags, redirect the click-through to any destination, schedule the post and then reports real-time clicks, play counts and share counts. (We also publish images, videos, coupons, polls and other apps that engage fans right in the wall/news feed).

Mike Strutton

Chief Product Officer

Vitrue, Inc.
http://Vitrue.com

Comment by Michael Strutton — March 24, 2010 @ 4:11 am
This is not a new feature. I have used this feature for my sites before.(about 1 year ago) This could be done by entering mp3 url. Also you dont need to link an mp3 file. This can also be a webpage. Like http://www.xxx.com/music/sample.html But this url should contain some meta data information.
http://wiki.developers.facebook.com/index.php/Fac...

Comment by Mustafa — March 25, 2010 @ 8:46 am
como puedo volver a instalar una canción del mago de oz,

con la aplicación http/apps.facebook.com/My_song.

Comment by Jorge Eli Obando Ech — April 5, 2010 @ 1:18 am
There is also the legal aspect. I searched the Facebook page and found this information:

“The process to upload music using the Facebook Music Player application has changed.

In order to upload music to your Page using this application, you will need to provide an electronic signature to an agreement that confirms that you either own the copyright to the content you will be uploading or that you are authorized by the copyright owner to upload that copyrighted content to your Page.

In order to access this agreement, please attempt to upload a song through the Facebook Music Player application.”

I have shared two music videos (directly linked from the band’s FB page) on my profile because the band has allowed this featured and the fact that they are no longer under their previous label’s contract (now owning their own work). Other than that, I may not do anything else at this time.

Comment by David — April 13, 2010 @ 8:49 pm
Weird, this page is the only piece of information I've been able to find on that matter…

Thing is I've been unable to use the inline mp3 player since yesterday, now when I post a link to an mp3 file it shows up as a regular link (and believe me, people don't bother downloading, so it's pretty much useless). Anyone else noticed this problem/bug ?

Or is there something I did wrong (mp3 format, id3 tags) ? I doubt so because links that showed up as the inline player a week ago will show up as normal links if I try and post them again… Weird.

Comment by teo — June 1, 2010 @ 6:06 am
teo … i've found the same problem. I've been linking my podcasts for a year and today the player is not working. Interesting is that older podcasts are still working with a player, but can't add new ones. There must have been a code change that we can't find publicized anywhere yet.

Comment by Joe Magennis — June 1, 2010 @ 12:25 pm
Where are you guys hosting the mp3 files?

Comment by Don — September 1, 2010 @ 1:18 am
I have exactly the same problem. Suddenly mp3 files apear as links. Mp3 file posted earlier still work with a player. What's really weird is that re-posten the old ones, makes the player work.

Comment by @tdiamane — November 11, 2010 @ 6:26 pm
Does anyone know the secret to getting the Facebook audio player to display mp3 ID tags correctly? Which version ID tags should I use? I've tried several permutations but consistently get Unknown Artist/Unknown Album. The mp3s I'm 'sharing' are recordings I've made myself. Many thanks in advance.

Comment by Johnny Briggs — December 12, 2010 @ 6:15 am
Can anyone tell me, why mp3's appear only as links, without the player?

Comment by Zoltan — January 28, 2011 @ 6:00 pm
This site named Facebook mp3 player is doing that. They are the best one out there.

Comment by Matt — January 29, 2011 @ 1:26 am
Thanks lot for Your Post about Music On Facebook. So many are interesting about this topic. Most will share this.. Thanks

Comment by Facebook Codes — February 10, 2011 @ 10:40 am
I need to share a music directly from hard disk to my profile… what can i do ?

Comment by Farzan — March 9, 2011 @ 3:44 am
you can use this app to share your mp3 music to your facebook profile http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=1...

Comment by hadadjus — March 17, 2011 @ 9:24 am
Facebook is top popular site in the internet. Facebook share music is so useful to us bec everybody like music.

Comment by login facebook — July 28, 2011 @ 7:34 pm
good song http://www.blogaboutlove.net/love-song-lyrics/cup...

Comment by blogs about love — September 22, 2011 @ 1:25 am
http://apps.facebook.com/ewawemusic/
You can share music with your friends.

Comment by Vera — October 2, 2011 @ 11:54 am
how i can do this using meta information, tell me full about it

Comment by rishi — October 7, 2011 @ 9:31 pm
If you have iPhone, iPod or iPad then it is very easy with AudioPost for Facebook application.
Audio files can be inport from iTunes, email attachment. This application also included a audio recorder, so it is possible to record and upload instantly. http://bit.ly/vfCVCD

Comment by Sohel — November 14, 2011 @ 11:36 pm

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

I don't mean to bust your chops Nick, but Facebook has done this for a REALLY long time. A REALLY REALLY long time. I don't remember a time where it didn't.

You just post them as a link. I've been doing it for maybe a year at least.

Comment by Navarr Tethyr Barnie — March 17, 2010 @ 8:35 pm

As a follow up comment, Twitter Also details for websites how to set up the an Audio (the music player) preview for their website on the share page: http://wiki.developers.facebook.com/index.php/Fac...

Comment by Navarr Tethyr Barnie — March 17, 2010 @ 8:49 pm

I use it frequently. I remember when I "discovered" it I thought it was very cool as well.

Comment by Facebook User — March 17, 2010 @ 9:26 pm

Yup, this is really old

Comment by Raul Riera — March 17, 2010 @ 9:27 pm

"Have you used this feature before or is this new to you?"

I used it quiet often.

Comment by Zulkarnain Kencana — March 17, 2010 @ 9:33 pm

Oh, BTW, you can do it on Google Buzz as well
http://www.google.com/buzz/zoolcar9/QRNpR7NXMsD/

Comment by Zulkarnain Kencana — March 17, 2010 @ 9:38 pm

Since at least November of 2009. See twitpic: http://twitpic.com/19a2db

Comment by Joshua Guffey — March 17, 2010 @ 10:02 pm

I just knew this feature.but then I'll try it.

Comment by jacobian — March 17, 2010 @ 10:03 pm

This has been around since probably 2006 at the latest, maybe before. It SEEMS new because, well, it doesn't always work right…

Comment by Nathan Rein — March 17, 2010 @ 10:08 pm

You guys should write about winamp next.

Comment by sean percival — March 17, 2010 @ 10:18 pm

Yep, definitely change the title, Nick. I remember this feature for as long as I have used Facebook (which is for at least 3 years)

Comment by Raphael Pungin — March 18, 2010 @ 12:01 am

Just checked, and I have an mp3 I shared over 13 months ago. Definitely not a new feature.

Comment by Shaun McLane — March 18, 2010 @ 1:36 am

Post fail.

Comment by J-Mass — March 18, 2010 @ 4:42 am

Comment by Emanuel Ukago — March 18, 2010 @ 6:31 am

Sharing music on Facebook is a great feature. I continually share all sorts of media with my network, and have shared mp3s for quite a while… Your point RE: bandwidth is a good one, because some folks might not realize.

Comment by Becky Cortino — March 18, 2010 @ 7:35 am

Hmmmm…

Comment by bee — March 18, 2010 @ 8:54 am

Wasn't aware of it, thanks!

Comment by Chris — March 18, 2010 @ 11:42 am

yeah, i noticed it a couple of days ago when i shared an mp3 with some people, very cool!

Comment by adelaide dancing — March 18, 2010 @ 2:15 pm

Hi Nick,

http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/09/facebook-audio...

As mentioned in the comments on your September post, the Vitrue SRM has been publishing audio to the Wall for over a year. Our tools gives Facebook marketers the ability to customize the meta tags, redirect the click-through to any destination, schedule the post and then reports real-time clicks, play counts and share counts. (We also publish images, videos, coupons, polls and other apps that engage fans right in the wall/news feed).

Mike Strutton

Chief Product Officer

Vitrue, Inc.
http://Vitrue.com

Comment by Michael Strutton — March 24, 2010 @ 4:11 am

This is not a new feature. I have used this feature for my sites before.(about 1 year ago) This could be done by entering mp3 url. Also you dont need to link an mp3 file. This can also be a webpage. Like http://www.xxx.com/music/sample.html But this url should contain some meta data information.
http://wiki.developers.facebook.com/index.php/Fac...

Comment by Mustafa — March 25, 2010 @ 8:46 am

como puedo volver a instalar una canción del mago de oz,

con la aplicación http/apps.facebook.com/My_song.

Comment by Jorge Eli Obando Ech — April 5, 2010 @ 1:18 am

There is also the legal aspect. I searched the Facebook page and found this information:

“The process to upload music using the Facebook Music Player application has changed.

In order to upload music to your Page using this application, you will need to provide an electronic signature to an agreement that confirms that you either own the copyright to the content you will be uploading or that you are authorized by the copyright owner to upload that copyrighted content to your Page.

In order to access this agreement, please attempt to upload a song through the Facebook Music Player application.”

I have shared two music videos (directly linked from the band’s FB page) on my profile because the band has allowed this featured and the fact that they are no longer under their previous label’s contract (now owning their own work). Other than that, I may not do anything else at this time.

Comment by David — April 13, 2010 @ 8:49 pm

Weird, this page is the only piece of information I've been able to find on that matter…

Thing is I've been unable to use the inline mp3 player since yesterday, now when I post a link to an mp3 file it shows up as a regular link (and believe me, people don't bother downloading, so it's pretty much useless). Anyone else noticed this problem/bug ?

Or is there something I did wrong (mp3 format, id3 tags) ? I doubt so because links that showed up as the inline player a week ago will show up as normal links if I try and post them again… Weird.

Comment by teo — June 1, 2010 @ 6:06 am

teo … i've found the same problem. I've been linking my podcasts for a year and today the player is not working. Interesting is that older podcasts are still working with a player, but can't add new ones. There must have been a code change that we can't find publicized anywhere yet.

Comment by Joe Magennis — June 1, 2010 @ 12:25 pm

Where are you guys hosting the mp3 files?

Comment by Don — September 1, 2010 @ 1:18 am

I have exactly the same problem. Suddenly mp3 files apear as links. Mp3 file posted earlier still work with a player. What's really weird is that re-posten the old ones, makes the player work.

Comment by @tdiamane — November 11, 2010 @ 6:26 pm

Does anyone know the secret to getting the Facebook audio player to display mp3 ID tags correctly? Which version ID tags should I use? I've tried several permutations but consistently get Unknown Artist/Unknown Album. The mp3s I'm 'sharing' are recordings I've made myself. Many thanks in advance.

Comment by Johnny Briggs — December 12, 2010 @ 6:15 am

Can anyone tell me, why mp3's appear only as links, without the player?

Comment by Zoltan — January 28, 2011 @ 6:00 pm

This site named Facebook mp3 player is doing that. They are the best one out there.

Comment by Matt — January 29, 2011 @ 1:26 am

Thanks lot for Your Post about Music On Facebook. So many are interesting about this topic. Most will share this.. Thanks

Comment by Facebook Codes — February 10, 2011 @ 10:40 am

I need to share a music directly from hard disk to my profile… what can i do ?

Comment by Farzan — March 9, 2011 @ 3:44 am

you can use this app to share your mp3 music to your facebook profile http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=1...

Comment by hadadjus — March 17, 2011 @ 9:24 am

Facebook is top popular site in the internet. Facebook share music is so useful to us bec everybody like music.

Comment by login facebook — July 28, 2011 @ 7:34 pm

good song http://www.blogaboutlove.net/love-song-lyrics/cup...

Comment by blogs about love — September 22, 2011 @ 1:25 am

http://apps.facebook.com/ewawemusic/
You can share music with your friends.

Comment by Vera — October 2, 2011 @ 11:54 am

how i can do this using meta information, tell me full about it

Comment by rishi — October 7, 2011 @ 9:31 pm

If you have iPhone, iPod or iPad then it is very easy with AudioPost for Facebook application.
Audio files can be inport from iTunes, email attachment. This application also included a audio recorder, so it is possible to record and upload instantly. http://bit.ly/vfCVCD

Comment by Sohel — November 14, 2011 @ 11:36 pm

Welcome New Reader!

Facebook Begins Letting Users Share Music (Updated)

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Welcome New Reader!

Facebook Begins Letting Users Share Music (Updated)

Recommended Articles

Inside Social Apps 2012 is Less Than Two Weeks Away

1244037 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allfacebook.com%2Fshare-music-facebook-2010-03Facebook+Begins+Letting+Users+Share+Music+%28Updated%292010-03-18+04%3A32%3A44Nick+O%27Neillhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.allfacebook.com%2F%3Fp%3D12440 »

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Let your next job find you!

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Jobs of the Day

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Digital/Social Media Manager - Entertainment

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See all jobs

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1244037 Comments2010-03-18+04%3A32%3A44Nick+O%27Neill »