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How to Post a Video on Instagram with Music: A Comprehensive Guide

Adding music to your Instagram videos can transform them from bland clips into engaging stories, reels, and posts that resonate with your audience. Forget silent movies; we’re in the age of auditory engagement! Let’s dive straight into the heart of the matter: you can add music to your Instagram videos using several methods within the app, primarily through the Instagram music library, third-party editing apps, and by recording video directly within Instagram itself. Let’s break down each method:

1. Using Instagram’s Built-In Music Library: This is the most straightforward method and offers a vast selection of licensed tracks.

2. Employing Third-Party Editing Apps: These apps provide more creative control, including layering music, adjusting audio levels, and syncing music to specific moments in your video.

3. Recording Directly Within Instagram: When creating Reels or Stories, you can select music before you even begin recording.

Let’s explore each of these options in detail to help you perfectly soundtrack your Instagram videos!

Understanding Instagram’s Music Integration

Instagram has made adding music incredibly user-friendly. The platform understands that music elevates content and keeps viewers engaged. But before we delve into the “how,” let’s grasp the core functionalities.

Accessing the Music Library

The gateway to Instagram’s musical treasure trove is easily accessible within the app when creating Stories, Reels, and feed posts. Here’s how:

For Stories: Open the Instagram app and swipe right to access the camera. Record or upload your video. Tap the Sticker icon (the square smiley face). Select the “Music” sticker. A search bar will appear, allowing you to browse by mood, genre, or specific artist and song.
For Reels: Open the Instagram app and tap the Reels icon at the bottom. Tap the Audio icon (musical note) on the left-hand side. The music library will appear. You can search or browse for tracks.
For Feed Posts: Create a new post and select your video. On the screen where you add filters and edits, tap “Add Music”. Search for your desired track.

Choosing the Right Music Clip

Selecting the perfect musical snippet is key. Instagram allows you to choose specific sections of a song, ensuring the most impactful part aligns with your video’s narrative. After selecting a track, a waveform appears, allowing you to drag and select the desired 5-15 second (depending on the format) clip.

Important Considerations: Business Accounts and Copyright

Here’s a crucial note, especially for business accounts: Instagram’s music library access for business accounts is often more restricted than for personal accounts. Commercial use of copyrighted music requires proper licensing. Instagram’s built-in library for business accounts usually includes music that is cleared for commercial use, but it’s always wise to double-check the licensing terms. Using unlicensed music can lead to your video being muted or removed. Always play it safe and respect copyright!

Unleashing Creative Control: Third-Party Editing Apps

While Instagram’s built-in music feature is convenient, third-party editing apps offer far greater flexibility and creative control. Apps like InShot, CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush, and FilmoraGo provide advanced audio editing capabilities that surpass Instagram’s native tools.

Benefits of Using Editing Apps

Precise Audio Control: Adjust audio levels, add fade-in/fade-out effects, and layer multiple tracks for a richer soundscape.
Sync Music to Video: Precisely synchronize music beats with visual cues in your video for maximum impact.
Wider Music Selection: Although you’ll need to ensure you have the rights to use the music, these apps don’t limit you to Instagram’s curated library. You can import your own music files.
Advanced Editing Features: Benefit from a plethora of video editing tools, including transitions, special effects, text overlays, and more.

Steps for Using Editing Apps

Download and Install: Choose a reputable video editing app and download it from your app store.
Import Your Video: Import the video you want to edit into the app.
Add Music: Import your desired music track into the app. This might involve downloading music to your device if you’re not using royalty-free tracks from the app’s own library.
Edit and Sync: Use the app’s audio editing tools to adjust the music’s volume, sync it with your video, and add any desired effects.
Export and Upload: Export the edited video from the app to your device. Then, upload the video to Instagram as a post, Reel, or Story.

Navigating Copyright Considerations

If you’re using music from sources outside Instagram’s library, be especially mindful of copyright. Several platforms offer royalty-free music subscriptions, such as Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and Soundstripe. These services provide legally cleared music for your videos. If you’re using copyrighted music without permission, you risk facing copyright infringement claims.

Direct Recording with Music: The Instagram Advantage

Another fantastic way to add music is by recording your video directly within Instagram, particularly when creating Reels or Stories.

Steps for Recording with Music

Open Reels or Stories: Access the Reels or Stories camera within the Instagram app.
Select Music First: Before you even press record, tap the Audio icon to access the music library. Choose your song and the desired clip.
Record Your Video: Now, start recording your video. The music will play while you record, allowing you to create content perfectly synchronized with the audio.

This method is ideal for creating spontaneous, music-driven content where the music is integral to the recording process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further clarify adding music to your Instagram videos:

1. Why can’t I find the music sticker on Instagram Stories?

If you’re unable to find the music sticker, ensure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version. Also, it could be related to regional restrictions or the type of account you have (business accounts sometimes have limited access).

2. Can I add my own music to Instagram Stories?

Yes, if you’re using a personal account, you can sometimes use local music files by playing them in the background while recording your Story. However, Instagram may detect copyrighted music and mute your story, so it’s not a reliable method. Third-party editing apps provide a more stable solution.

3. How do I add music to an Instagram post (not a Story or Reel)?

When creating a new feed post and selecting your video, on the editing screen, you’ll see an option to “Add Music” below the video preview. Tap this to access the music library.

4. Will Instagram remove my video if I use copyrighted music?

Potentially, yes. Instagram has algorithms that detect copyrighted music. If you don’t have the necessary rights, your video might be muted or removed.

5. How can I avoid copyright issues when using music on Instagram?

The best approach is to use music from Instagram’s built-in library (especially if you have a business account) or to use royalty-free music from reputable sources. Always check the licensing terms before using any music.

6. Can I use music from Spotify or Apple Music in my Instagram videos?

You can’t directly use music from streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music in your videos without violating copyright. You need to obtain the proper licenses or use royalty-free alternatives.

7. How do I adjust the volume of the music in relation to the video sound?

Within Instagram’s editing tools (especially for Reels), you can usually adjust the volume of the music and the original audio separately. Third-party editing apps offer even more precise control over audio levels.

8. Is it possible to add lyrics to my Instagram Story with music?

Yes! When you add music to your Story using the music sticker, Instagram often automatically displays lyrics if they are available for the song. You can choose different lyric styles and positions.

9. Can I use different songs in different parts of my Instagram Reel?

Yes, using third-party editing apps, you can split your video into segments and add different songs or audio clips to each segment, creating a dynamic and engaging audio-visual experience.

10. How do I find trending music on Instagram for Reels?

Pay attention to what other creators are using and look for songs labeled as “Trending” within the Instagram music library. Also, keep an eye on popular sounds on TikTok, as many trends often cross over to Instagram Reels.

11. What are some good royalty-free music websites for Instagram videos?

Some popular options include Epidemic Sound, Artlist, Soundstripe, and PremiumBeat. These platforms offer subscription-based access to a wide range of high-quality royalty-free music.

12. Can I add voiceovers to my Instagram videos along with music?

Yes! Use a third-party editing app to record and add your voiceover track. You can then adjust the volume levels of the voiceover, the music, and the original video sound to create a balanced and professional audio mix.

Adding music to your Instagram videos is a powerful way to enhance engagement and creativity. Whether you opt for Instagram’s built-in library or explore the possibilities of third-party editing apps, understanding copyright and choosing the right soundtrack will help you create content that resonates with your audience. Now go forth and make some noise – responsibly!