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How to Post an Instagram Post with Music: The Definitive Guide

Want to add a soundtrack to your Instagram masterpiece? You’re in the right place. Adding music to your Instagram posts elevates your content, making it more engaging and shareable. Here’s the straightforward answer: To post an Instagram post with music, you’ll primarily use Instagram Stories for standard posts. This involves creating a Story, adding your photo or video, and then selecting the “Music” sticker to browse and add your desired track. You can also add music to Instagram Reels and Collaborative posts. Let’s break down each method, giving you the insider knowledge to become a music-infused Instagram pro.

Mastering the Music Sticker: Instagram Stories

The Instagram Stories Music sticker is your primary weapon in the quest for musical posts. Here’s how to wield it:

Open Instagram and start a new Story: Tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen and select “Story” from the options. Alternatively, swipe right from your main feed.
Capture or Upload your content: Take a photo or video directly within the Story interface, or upload something from your camera roll. This is the visual element that will pair with your music.
Access the Sticker Tray: Look for the square smiley face icon at the top of your screen. This is the portal to all Instagram’s interactive stickers.
Select the “Music” Sticker: In the sticker tray, scroll until you find the “Music” sticker. It’s instantly recognizable by its musical note icon. Tap it.
Browse and Select your Song: This opens a library of tracks. You can browse by mood, genre, or popularity. Use the search bar at the top to find a specific song. Preview the song before selecting it.
Choose your Snippet: Once you’ve chosen a song, you can select which portion of the track you want to include in your Story. Drag the waveform to pinpoint the perfect 5-15 second segment.
Customize the Display: You can choose how the song title and artist are displayed on your Story. Options range from a simple static label to lyrics that appear on-screen in real-time. Experiment to find what best suits your aesthetic.
Position and Resize: Drag, pinch, and zoom to position the music sticker or lyrics wherever you want them on your Story. Consider the overall composition of your visual and how the music element fits in.
Post your Story: Once you’re happy with the music and visuals, tap the “Your Story” button to share it with your followers.

Pro Tip: Using Lyrics

Instagram’s lyric feature is a powerful tool for engaging viewers. When you select a song with available lyrics, they will appear on-screen as the song plays. Experiment with different lyric styles to find one that matches the mood of your Story. Some lyric styles are animated, adding an extra layer of visual interest.

Adding Music to Instagram Reels

Reels are short-form videos designed for viral potential, and music is integral to their success. The process is slightly different from Stories:

Create a new Reel: Tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen and select “Reel” from the options.
Record or Upload your video: Capture video directly within the Reels interface or upload clips from your camera roll.
Tap the “Audio” icon: Look for the music note icon on the left side of the screen. This opens the Reels audio library.
Choose your music: Browse trending audio, explore curated playlists, or search for a specific song.
Select your Snippet: As with Stories, you can choose a specific portion of the song to use in your Reel.
Adjust Audio Levels: You can adjust the volume of the original video and the added music separately. This allows you to create a balanced audio mix where both are audible.
Add other Effects and Text: Reels offer a wide array of editing tools, including filters, text overlays, stickers, and more. Use these to enhance your video and make it stand out.
Share your Reel: Once you’re satisfied, add a caption and hashtags, and share your Reel to your feed or explore page.

Pro Tip: Original Audio

If you want to use your own original audio in a Reel (e.g., a voiceover, musical performance), record it directly while creating the Reel. Then, you can adjust the volume of the camera audio to showcase your unique sound. If your original audio becomes popular, other users can use it in their Reels, potentially boosting your visibility.

Music in Collaborative Posts

Collaborative posts allow you to co-author a post or Reel with another user. This expands your reach and exposes your content to a new audience. The process for adding music is identical to adding it to a standard post or Reel. Both collaborators can add music to the content during the creation process.

Pro Tip: Coordination is Key

When creating a collaborative post with music, communicate with your collaborator about the song choice and how it fits with the overall theme of the post. This ensures a cohesive and engaging experience for viewers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to help you navigate the world of Instagram music:

Why can’t I find the Music sticker on Instagram Stories? Several reasons could be behind this. First, ensure you’re using the latest version of the Instagram app. Second, the Music sticker isn’t available in all countries due to licensing restrictions. Third, some business accounts may have limited access to copyrighted music.
Can I use my own music on Instagram? Yes, you can use your own original music. Upload it to a platform like Spotify or Apple Music, and then it may become available in Instagram’s music library. Alternatively, you can record original audio directly in Reels.
How do I fix the “Instagram music not available in your region” error? Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed fix. This is due to licensing agreements. Using a VPN is not recommended, as it violates Instagram’s terms of service.
Can I add music to existing Instagram posts? No, you cannot add music to existing standard feed posts. You can only add music to Stories, Reels, and collaborative posts. Consider reposting the image/video as a Story.
What if I want to use a song that’s not on Instagram’s music library? You might need to explore copyright-free music options. Many websites offer royalty-free music that you can use in your videos without infringing on copyright.
How long can the music clip be in my Instagram Story? The music clip can be up to 15 seconds long in Instagram Stories. Reels allow for longer clips, depending on the overall length of the Reel.
Is it legal to use copyrighted music on Instagram? Instagram has licensing agreements with major record labels, allowing users to incorporate their music into Stories and Reels. However, using unlicensed music can lead to copyright infringement and potential removal of your content.
Can I use music from Spotify or Apple Music directly on Instagram? No, you can’t directly import music from Spotify or Apple Music into Instagram. You must use the music available within Instagram’s music library or your own original audio.
How do I mute the original audio in a Reel? When editing a Reel, tap the “Audio” icon. You’ll see sliders for both “Camera audio” and the added music. Drag the “Camera audio” slider all the way to the left to mute the original audio.
What are the best practices for using music in Instagram Reels to gain more views? Use trending audio to increase your chances of being discovered. Match the music to the mood and theme of your video. Use hashtags related to the music and your content. Engage with other users who are using the same audio.
How can I make sure my Instagram Stories with music are accessible to everyone? Add captions to your Stories, especially if the lyrics are important. This makes your content accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Consider using high-contrast text for better readability.
What if my business account is restricted from using certain music? Explore using royalty-free music or create your own original audio. Contact Instagram support for more information on licensing options for business accounts. Be mindful of copyright issues.