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Adding a Soundtrack to Your Story: The Complete Guide to Music on Instagram

Want to elevate your Instagram game? The secret ingredient is often music. Adding a catchy tune or a poignant melody can transform a simple post into a captivating experience, drawing in viewers and amplifying your message. Here’s exactly how to do it.

How to Add Music to an Instagram Post:

Instagram offers several ways to integrate music into your content, depending on the type of post you’re creating: Stories, Reels, and Feed posts. Each method has slight variations, but the core principle remains the same: leverage Instagram’s built-in music library or, in some cases, utilize external editing tools.

For Instagram Stories:

Open Instagram and create a new Story: Swipe right from your feed or tap the “+” icon at the bottom, then select “Story”.
Capture your photo or video: You can record something live or upload from your camera roll.
Access the Stickers menu: Tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen (it looks like a square with a smiley face).
Select the “Music” sticker: Scroll through the sticker options until you find the “Music” sticker. Tap it.
Browse and choose your music: You’ll be presented with Instagram’s music library. You can browse by mood, genre, trending songs, or search for a specific artist or track.
Select the desired segment: Once you’ve chosen a song, you can select a specific 5-15 second segment to play in your Story. A waveform will appear, allowing you to drag the slider to the perfect starting point.
Customize the music sticker: Choose how the music information appears on your Story. You can display the song title and artist, show lyrics (if available), or opt for a simple icon.
Adjust the placement and size: Tap and drag the music sticker to position it where you want on your Story. Pinch to resize it.
Post your Story: Add any other desired effects, text, or stickers, and then share your Story with your followers.

For Instagram Reels:

Open Instagram and create a new Reel: Swipe right from your feed or tap the “+” icon at the bottom, then select “Reel”.
Record or upload your video: You can record directly within the Reels interface or upload pre-recorded footage.
Tap the “Audio” icon: This icon is located on the left-hand side of the screen.
Browse and select music: This will open Instagram’s music library, similar to the Story feature. Browse by category, trending audio, or search for a specific song.
Choose your music segment: Unlike Stories, Reels allows you to use longer segments of a song, often up to 30 seconds or even the entire track. Use the slider to select the portion you want.
Adjust the audio levels: You can control the volume of both the music and the original audio from your video clip using the volume sliders. This is crucial for balancing the audio effectively.
Add effects and filters: Enhance your Reel with various effects and filters available within the Reels editor.
Share your Reel: Write a captivating caption, add relevant hashtags, and share your Reel with your followers. You can also choose to share it to your feed.

For Instagram Feed Posts (Photos and Videos):

While you can’t directly add music through the Instagram app to your feed posts in the same way as Stories and Reels, there are still options.

Edit your video with external software: Use video editing software (like iMovie, Adobe Premiere Rush, or CapCut) to add music to your video before uploading it to Instagram.
Consider copyright: Ensure you have the rights to use the music you choose. Opt for royalty-free music or music you have permission to use.
Upload your video: Once your video is edited with music, upload it to Instagram as a regular feed post.
Adding Music to a Photo on Feed Posts (Indirectly): You can create a short video clip in a video editing software, adding the photo as a visual and layering music over it. Save the video and upload it as a regular feed post.
Use Captions Strategically: Since you can’t add music within Instagram, use your caption to acknowledge the music, give credit to the artist (if applicable), and set the mood.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Music on Instagram

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

Several reasons could explain the missing music sticker:

Account Type: Business accounts might have limited access to copyrighted music due to licensing restrictions. Try switching to a personal account (temporarily, if needed) to see if the sticker appears.
Regional Restrictions: Music availability varies by region due to licensing agreements. The music sticker might not be available in your country.
App Update: Ensure you’re using the latest version of the Instagram app. Outdated versions can have bugs and missing features.
Account Issues: In rare cases, a glitch might be affecting your account. Try logging out and logging back in, or reinstalling the app.

2. How do I add my own music to Instagram?

Officially, you cannot directly upload your own music to Instagram’s music library for use by other users. The library is curated through partnerships with record labels and music distributors. However, if you are a verified artist or musician, you can explore options for distributing your music to platforms like Instagram through services like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore. These services will handle the licensing and distribution on your behalf.

3. Can I use copyrighted music on Instagram?

Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your content being muted, removed, or your account being penalized. Instagram has copyright detection systems in place. While short clips might sometimes slip through, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Explore royalty-free music libraries or obtain licenses for copyrighted music if you intend to use it commercially.

4. What is royalty-free music, and where can I find it?

Royalty-free music is music that you can use without having to pay royalties each time it’s played. You typically pay a one-time fee for a license to use the music. Popular sources for royalty-free music include:

Epidemic Sound
Artlist
PremiumBeat
YouTube Audio Library (free option)

5. How do I add lyrics to my Instagram Story music?

Instagram automatically displays lyrics for certain songs if they are available in its music library. When you select a song with available lyrics, the lyric display option will appear automatically. You can then choose different lyric styles. If lyrics aren’t showing, it means they aren’t currently available for that specific song within Instagram’s system.

6. Why is my Instagram Story music muted?

There are several reasons why your Instagram Story music might be muted:

Copyright Issues: If Instagram detects that you’re using copyrighted music without permission, it may mute the audio.
Regional Restrictions: The music may be unavailable in the viewer’s region.
Technical Glitch: A temporary glitch in the app might be causing the issue. Try restarting the app or your device.
Account Restrictions: Business accounts may face more stringent copyright enforcement.

7. Can I use music on Instagram Live videos?

Yes, you can use music on Instagram Live videos. The same copyright rules apply as with other types of content. You can play music in the background, but be mindful of potential copyright issues. Using royalty-free music is recommended for extended Live sessions.

8. How do I change the music after posting a Story or Reel?

Unfortunately, you cannot edit the music after posting a Story or Reel. You’ll need to delete the post and create a new one with the desired music. This is why it’s important to double-check your music selection and segment before posting.

9. Does adding music affect the video quality on Instagram?

In some cases, adding music can slightly affect video quality, especially if you’re editing the video using external software and compressing it before uploading. To minimize quality loss, use high-resolution video settings and optimal compression settings when exporting your video.

10. What are the best practices for choosing music for my Instagram posts?

Choosing the right music can significantly impact the engagement of your posts. Consider these best practices:

Match the Mood: Select music that complements the mood and message of your content.
Know Your Audience: Choose music that resonates with your target audience’s tastes.
Use Trending Audio: Incorporate trending audio clips to increase discoverability.
Consider the Length: Choose a segment that fits the duration of your video or Story.
Ensure Audio Quality: Use high-quality audio to avoid sounding unprofessional.

11. How do I find trending audio on Instagram Reels?

Look for the upward-pointing arrow next to the song title in the Reels audio selection. This indicates that the audio is currently trending. You can also browse the “For You” page to discover trending sounds used by other creators.

12. Can I use a VPN to access music unavailable in my region?

While using a VPN might allow you to access music unavailable in your region, it’s generally not recommended as it could violate Instagram’s terms of service and potentially lead to account restrictions. It’s better to explore alternative music options that are legally available in your region.

By understanding these tips and tricks, you can effectively leverage the power of music to enhance your Instagram content and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Get creative, experiment with different sounds, and enjoy the journey of crafting engaging and memorable posts.