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

Want to spice up your Instagram stories and grab your audience’s attention? Adding music is a fantastic way to do it, injecting emotion and personality into your visual narratives. This guide offers a comprehensive walkthrough on how to add music to your Instagram story, along with tips, tricks, and answers to common questions.

Adding music to your Instagram story is quite straightforward. You can use the built-in Instagram Music sticker or, alternatively, third-party apps for more creative control. Here’s how to use the Instagram Music sticker:

1. Open Instagram and create a new story: Start by tapping the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen or swiping right from your feed. Choose your desired photo or video, or create one directly within the Instagram app.
2. Access the sticker tray: Once your media is ready, tap the sticker icon (a square smiley face) at the top of the screen.
3. Select the “Music” sticker: Scroll through the available stickers until you find the “Music” sticker and tap on it.
4. Search for your song: A music library will appear. You can browse by mood, genre, or popular songs, or use the search bar at the top to find a specific track.
5. Choose a section of the song: After selecting a song, you can choose which part of the song you want to use in your story. A slider allows you to select up to 15 seconds of the track.
6. Customize the music sticker: You can customize the appearance of the sticker itself. Options include displaying the album art, song title, and artist, or simply a colored box with the music icon. You can also change the font and color.
7. Position and resize the sticker: Drag the sticker around the screen to position it where you like. Use two fingers to pinch and zoom to resize it. You can even hide the sticker behind other elements or off-screen entirely if you prefer a more subtle audio experience.
8. Post your story: Once you’re happy with your music selection and sticker placement, tap “Your Story” at the bottom of the screen to share it with your followers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further clarify how to add music to Instagram stories and address common issues.

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

The Music sticker’s availability can vary depending on your region due to licensing restrictions. Business accounts may also experience limitations. Ensure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version. If the problem persists, try switching to a personal account to see if the sticker appears. Using a VPN to switch your apparent location could sometimes help, but be aware of Instagram’s terms of service regarding location manipulation.

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

Directly adding your own music files to Instagram stories isn’t possible through the built-in Music sticker feature. However, you can use video editing apps to overlay your music onto a video clip before uploading it to Instagram. Apps like iMovie, FilmoraGo, and Adobe Premiere Rush allow you to import your own music and sync it with your video content.

3. How long can the music clip be in my Instagram story?

The maximum duration for a music clip in an Instagram story is 15 seconds. You can select the specific 15-second segment you want to use from the song using the slider within the Music sticker interface.

4. Can I add lyrics to my Instagram story?

Yes, some songs on Instagram have lyric support. When you select a song with lyrics, the lyrics will automatically appear on the screen, synchronized with the music. You can often choose different lyric styles and animations to match your aesthetic. Note that not all songs have lyrics available.

5. Can I add music to an existing Instagram story post?

Unfortunately, you cannot directly add music to an already published Instagram story. You’ll need to delete the original story and recreate it with the music sticker.

6. How do I change the song after adding it to my story?

If you’ve already added a song to your story but want to change it, you need to delete the Music sticker (tap and hold, then drag it to the trash icon) and then add a new Music sticker with your desired song.

7. What if the song I want isn’t available on Instagram’s music library?

Instagram’s music library is extensive, but it might not include every song. If you can’t find the song you want, you can use a video editing app as mentioned earlier or explore royalty-free music libraries like Epidemic Sound or Artlist to find similar tracks.

8. Can I add music to multiple slides in my Instagram story?

Yes, you can add different music to multiple slides in your Instagram story. Simply create each slide separately and add the desired music sticker to each one. Remember that each music clip can only be 15 seconds long.

9. Is it legal to use copyrighted music on Instagram stories?

Using copyrighted music without proper licensing can potentially lead to copyright infringement. While Instagram has agreements with many music publishers, it’s always best to be mindful of copyright laws. If you’re using music for commercial purposes, you should obtain the necessary licenses. Opting for royalty-free music can be a safer alternative.

10. Can I add music to my Instagram story as a business account?

Business accounts may have limited access to the full Instagram music library due to licensing agreements. If you are a business, make sure you read the terms of use. If you are planning on using copyrighted music, ensure that you are licensed to do so.

11. Why is my Instagram story music not playing for some viewers?

This can be due to several reasons:

• Internet connection: Viewers with poor internet connections may experience buffering or audio issues.
• App version: Ensure viewers have the latest version of the Instagram app.
• Device compatibility: Older devices may have compatibility issues.
• Account restrictions: In rare cases, individual accounts may have restrictions that prevent them from hearing music in stories.

12. Are there any other ways to add music to my Instagram story without using the music sticker?

Yes, besides video editing apps, another method is to play music in the background while recording your story video. However, the audio quality might not be as good as using the Music sticker, and Instagram’s algorithms might detect the music and flag it for copyright infringement if it’s a copyrighted track. This method is generally not recommended.

Conclusion

Adding music to your Instagram stories is an easy way to make them more engaging. By using the Music sticker or other creative methods discussed in this guide, you can easily elevate your content and connect with your audience on a deeper level. Remember to be mindful of copyright issues and explore different options to find the perfect soundtrack for your story!