Meta platform apologizes after a persistent glitch recommended the 1999 rock hit Higher for unrelated stories.
Instagram has officially apologized after a software glitch kept recommending the 1999 rock hit Higher by Creed to users who were trying to select background music for their Instagram Stories. The unexpected persistence of the track left many people wondering if a major marketing campaign was underway.
The issue caused the post-grunge song to appear automatically for millions of users posting about everyday topics, ranging from simple dinner plates to pictures of their pets. Although the platform allows people to add audio easily, the relentless recurrence baffled the community, according to information published by dexerto.
An Instagram spokesperson confirmed that engineers are actively investigating the recommendation error and working on a permanent fix. Users noticed the strange algorithmic behavior for months, sparking widespread jokes and conspiracy theories across social media platforms before the company finally addressed the situation.
Why Instagram recommended Creed to everyone
Music suggestions on Instagram are supposed to analyze specific signals, such as songs a person has previously used and the visual content of the photo or video being uploaded. In this particular case, however, people were receiving the Creed recommendation regardless of whether the track seemed to fit the visual content.
Communications specialist Pamela Ross told CNN that the track kept appearing whenever she posted images of her dinner plates or her cat, despite her neither following nor listening to the rock band. Other frustrated users took to social media to share screenshots of the constant suggestions, questioning the motives of the recommendation algorithm.
Meta algorithm errors and previous platform issues
This technical misstep is not the first time Meta has faced scrutiny regarding recommendation errors on its social media platforms. In February 2025, the company confirmed a separate software error that accidentally flooded some Instagram Reels feeds with violent and sexual videos.
While the Creed glitch dominated discussions about unexpected music choices, users also flagged frequent suggestions for Soulja Boy and the track Turn My Swag On. However, Instagram clarified that the appearances of that specific song simply reflected its organic popularity on the app rather than a system bug.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Instagram keep suggesting the Creed song Higher?
Instagram confirmed that a technical glitch caused the 1999 track Higher by Creed to be recommended to far more users than intended, ignoring standard signals like visual content.
Did Instagram issue an apology for the Creed music glitch?
Yes, an Instagram spokesperson stated that engineers looked into the issue, acknowledged the recommendation error, and started working on a fix.
Were other songs affected by the Instagram algorithm issue?
While users flagged Soulja Boy track suggestions as well, Instagram clarified that those appearances were due to high popularity on the app rather than a software bug.
