Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department: Instagram and Threads unleash easter eggs

Get ready to dissect every detail, Swifties! Taylor Swift's highly anticipated 11^th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, drops this Friday, April 19, and to celebrate, Instagram and Threads are upping the ante with hidden Easter eggs. The fun began on April 15, with a delightful surprise for eagle-eyed fans on Instagram.

But that's not all! This countdown cleverly doubles as a nudge towards Threads, Taylor's soon-to-be-launched Threads account (available for pre-follow). Once you see the countdown, you'll be prompted to pre-follow her on Threads, where two more Easter eggs await.

Here's where things get sparkly (literally): Threads conversations that include any of these hashtags – #TTPD, #The Tortured Poets Department, #Tortured Poets, #TSTTPD, #Swifties, or #TaylorSwift – will be blessed with a special shimmer effect. Talk about adding some extra flair to your discussions! When you "like" a post on Threads that includes any of the aforementioned hashtags, get ready to witness a shower of celebratory hearts on your screen. It's a small detail, but it perfectly captures the excitement surrounding the new album.

This is just the first wave of the Easter egg hunt, Swifties! Both Instagram and Threads have teased "more exciting experiences on their way" in the coming days. Mark your calendars for April 19 – the full message and potentially more delightful surprises are set to be unveiled.

The Tortured Poets Department follows hot on the heels of Taylor's critically acclaimed 2022 album, Midnights, and the recent re-recordings of fan favourites Speak Now and 1989.

But the excitement doesn't stop with the new album. Later this year, Taylor is set to return to the UK for the highly anticipated UK/EU leg of her Eras tour, with Paramore joining the bill as the supporting act.