How to Add Music to Your Instagram Post: The Definitive Guide

So, you want to spice up your Instagram posts with music, eh? Excellent choice! A well-chosen track can elevate your content from mundane to memorable, instantly capturing attention and setting the perfect mood. Here’s the lowdown on exactly how to do it: You can add music to your Instagram posts during the creation process by tapping the music icon in the app after recording or uploading a video or photo. The feature lets you select from a vast library of songs, add lyrics to the screen, and adjust the portion of the song that plays.

Adding Music to Your Instagram Story

Adding music to your Instagram Story is a breeze, and it’s the most common way people use the feature. Here’s how:

1. Open Instagram and Swipe: Begin by opening the Instagram app and swiping right to access the Story creation screen.
2. Capture or Upload: Either capture a new photo or video directly within the app or upload one from your camera roll.
3. Find the Music Sticker: Once you have your visual, tap the sticker icon (it looks like a square with a smiley face) at the top of the screen. This will open a menu of available stickers.
4. Select the Music Sticker: Look for the “Music” sticker in the sticker menu and tap it. This will open the Instagram music library.
5. Browse or Search for Music: You can now browse the available music by mood, genre, or popularity. Alternatively, use the search bar at the top to find a specific song or artist.
6. Preview and Select: Tap the play button next to a song to preview it. Once you find the perfect track, tap the song title to select it.
7. Choose Your Snippet: After selecting a song, you can choose which portion of the song you want to play. Instagram usually defaults to a popular section. Use the slider at the bottom of the screen to adjust the start and end points. You can also choose a shorter clip, usually between 5 and 15 seconds.
8. Customize the Display (Optional): You can customize how the music is displayed in your Story. Some songs offer lyrics that can be displayed on screen, synchronized with the music. Tap the different lyric options to choose a style you like. You can also choose a static image of the album art or simply display the song title and artist.
9. Place and Resize: Tap and drag the music sticker (or lyric display) to position it on your Story. You can also use two fingers to resize and rotate it.
10. Post Your Story: Once you’re happy with your music and visual, tap “Your Story” at the bottom of the screen to post it to your followers. You can also choose to send it to specific friends using the “Close Friends” list.

Adding Music to Your Instagram Reel

Adding music to Reels is incredibly similar to Stories, but with a few key differences:

1. Open Instagram and Swipe (Again!): Open Instagram and swipe right to access the camera. Select “Reel” at the bottom of the screen.
2. Record or Upload (Yet Again!): Record a video directly within the Reels interface or upload one or multiple clips from your camera roll.
3. Tap the Music Icon: Look for the music note icon along the left-hand side of the screen. This will open the Instagram music library.
4. Browse or Search: As with Stories, you can browse by category or use the search bar to find your desired track.
5. Select Your Snippet (And this is Important!): Choose the section of the song you want to use. Reels are often shorter than Stories, so you’ll likely want a shorter clip, typically around 15-30 seconds, though it can be up to 90 seconds now.
6. Adjust and Add Effects: You can adjust the timing of the music to sync with specific moments in your video. Reels also offer a wide range of effects, filters, and editing tools to further enhance your content.
7. Add a Caption and Hashtags: Write a compelling caption that encourages engagement. Use relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your Reel.
8. Share Your Reel: Tap “Share” to post your Reel to your feed, the Reels tab, and potentially the Explore page.

Adding Music to Your Instagram Post (Photo or Video Feed Post)

This feature is relatively newer and might not be available to all users yet. Also, it is important to note that the availability of the feature also depends on the agreements between Instagram and music right holders.

1. Create a Post: Start by creating a new feed post (photo or video) as you normally would.
2. Apply Filters and Edit (If Desired): Edit your photo or video with filters, adjustments, and any other desired effects.
3. Go to the Sharing Screen: Once you are happy with the visual edits, proceed to the screen where you add a caption, tag people, and add a location.
4. Look for “Add Music”: On this screen, you should see an option labeled “Add Music”.
5. Browse and Select Music: Tap “Add Music” to access the Instagram music library. Browse or search for your desired track.
6. Choose Your Snippet: Select the portion of the song you want to play (similar to Stories and Reels).
7. Complete Your Post: Write your caption, add hashtags, tag people, and share your post.
8. Enjoy! Your post will now feature the selected music.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why Can’t I Find the Music Sticker on Instagram?

The absence of the music sticker is often due to copyright restrictions in certain regions or the type of account you have (business accounts may have limited access). Check if your Instagram app is updated to the latest version. Restarting your phone can sometimes resolve temporary glitches. Also, confirm that you are not using a business account. If it is a business account, switching to a personal account might resolve the problem (but be aware of the consequences of changing your account type).

2. Can I Use My Own Music on Instagram?

Officially, no. Instagram’s music library is curated and licensed. Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your content being taken down. However, there are workarounds. You can use video editing software to add your own music to a video before uploading it to Instagram. Remember to be mindful of copyright laws and only use music you have the rights to.

3. Does Instagram Music Work on All Devices?

Instagram music generally works on most modern iOS and Android devices. However, older devices with outdated operating systems might experience compatibility issues. Ensure your device meets the minimum system requirements for the Instagram app.

4. How Long Can the Music Clip Be on My Instagram Story?

The maximum duration for a music clip on an Instagram Story is usually 15 seconds.

5. How Do I Control the Volume of the Music in My Instagram Post?

While you can’t directly control the music volume within Instagram itself, you can adjust the volume of the audio in your video before uploading it. Use a video editing app to balance the music volume with any voiceovers or other sounds.

6. Can I Add Music to an Existing Instagram Post?

Unfortunately, you cannot add music to an existing Instagram post that was already published (unless it is a Reel; then you can edit the audio). You’ll need to delete the original post and create a new one with the music included.

7. What Happens If My Instagram Post with Music Gets Taken Down?

If Instagram detects copyright infringement, your post may be removed or muted. This usually happens if you’ve used music without the necessary rights. Adhering to Instagram’s music guidelines and using only licensed music is the best way to avoid this.

8. Why Can’t I See Lyrics for Every Song?

Lyrics availability depends on the licensing agreements between Instagram and music publishers. Not all songs have lyrics available for display.

9. Are There Any Alternatives to the Instagram Music Library?

While Instagram encourages using its licensed music library, you can explore royalty-free music websites. These platforms offer music that you can legally use in your content without copyright concerns (but always check the specific licensing terms for each track).

10. How Do I Find Trending Music on Instagram?

Pay attention to the music used in popular Reels and Stories on the Explore page. Keep an eye on the music charts within the Instagram music library, which often highlight trending songs.

11. Can I Use Instagram Music on Facebook?

Yes, Instagram and Facebook are integrated, and you can often use the same music options across both platforms. However, there might be slight differences in availability depending on the specific features being used.

12. How Does Instagram Handle Copyright Issues with Music?

Instagram has a robust system for detecting and managing copyrighted music. They work with rights holders to ensure that music is used legally. If you violate copyright rules, your content may be removed, your account may be penalized, or your live streams may be interrupted. Always use music responsibly and within the bounds of the law.

By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be crafting engaging and memorable Instagram posts with music in no time!