How to Post a Video with Music on Instagram: A Complete Guide for the Modern Creator

Adding music to your Instagram videos is no longer a luxury; it’s an absolute necessity for capturing attention and crafting engaging content. So, how exactly do you post a video with music on Instagram? The process boils down to leveraging Instagram’s built-in music library or, for more creative control, editing the music directly into your video before uploading. We’ll explore both methods in detail, offering tips and tricks to ensure your videos resonate with your audience.

Using Instagram’s Built-In Music Library

This is the easiest and most straightforward way to add music, offering a vast selection of songs licensed for Instagram use.

Steps to Add Music in Instagram Stories

1. Record or Upload Your Video: Open Instagram and swipe right to access the Stories camera. Record your video directly or upload one from your camera roll.

2. Access the Music Sticker: After capturing or uploading your video, tap the sticker icon (the square smiley face) at the top of the screen.

3. Select the “Music” Sticker: Choose the “Music” sticker from the options.

4. Browse and Select Your Music: Instagram will present you with a curated selection of popular and trending songs, as well as options to browse by genre, mood, or theme. You can also use the search bar to find a specific song.

5. Choose Your Music Segment: Once you’ve found your song, you can select a specific segment (up to 15 seconds) to use in your Story. Drag the waveform at the bottom of the screen to pinpoint the perfect clip.

6. Customize the Music Display: Some songs allow you to choose how the music information is displayed on the screen. You can opt for the album art, the song title and artist, or lyrics (if available).

7. Adjust Placement and Size: Position the music sticker wherever you like on the screen. You can resize it by pinching with two fingers and rotate it for a unique look.

8. Post Your Story: Once you’re happy with the music and its placement, tap “Your Story” to share it with your followers.

Steps to Add Music to Instagram Reels

The process for adding music to Reels is similar to Stories, but with a slightly different interface.

1. Record or Upload Your Reel: Open Instagram and tap the Reels icon at the bottom of the screen. Record your video or upload one from your camera roll.

2. Tap the Music Icon: Tap the music note icon on the left-hand side of the screen.

3. Browse and Select Your Music: Just like with Stories, you’ll be presented with a selection of songs to choose from. Use the search bar to find something specific.

4. Choose Your Music Segment: Select a specific segment of the song. Drag the waveform to choose your 15 to 90-second clip.

5. Adjust Audio Levels (Optional): Use the audio controls to balance the volume of your original video and the added music.

6. Add Effects, Text, and Stickers: Enhance your Reel with filters, text overlays, and stickers.

7. Share Your Reel: Add a caption, hashtags, and choose your sharing options. Then, tap “Share.”

Adding Music Before Uploading: Using Video Editing Software

This method provides greater control over the music and video synchronization, ideal for more polished and professional-looking content.

Steps for Editing Music into Your Video

1. Choose Your Video Editing Software: Select a video editing software that suits your skill level and budget. Popular options include Adobe Premiere Rush (mobile and desktop), iMovie (free on Apple devices), CapCut (free, mobile), and FilmoraGo (mobile).

2. Import Your Video and Music: Import your video clip and your chosen music track into your video editing software.

3. Synchronize the Audio: Place the music track on a separate audio track within the editing timeline. Carefully align the music with the visuals to create the desired effect. Pay attention to the peaks and valleys in the audio waveform to find the best synchronization points.

4. Adjust Audio Levels: Lower the volume of the original video’s audio (if any) and adjust the music volume to create a balanced sound mix.

5. Trim and Edit: Trim the video and music to the desired length. Add any additional effects, transitions, or text overlays.

6. Export Your Video: Export your video in a format compatible with Instagram, such as MP4 with H.264 encoding. Aim for a resolution of 1080p for optimal quality.

7. Upload to Instagram: Upload your edited video to Instagram as a Story or Reel.

Important Considerations

• Copyright: Always ensure you have the necessary rights to use the music in your video. Instagram’s built-in music library is licensed for use on the platform. Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your video being taken down.
• Length: Stories are limited to 60 seconds (in most regions), and Reels can be up to 90 seconds or 3 minutes long.
• Audio Levels: Pay attention to the audio levels. You don’t want the music to overpower the spoken word or other important sounds in your video.
• Trending Sounds: Keep an eye on trending sounds within Instagram. Using these sounds can increase the visibility of your content.
• Music for Business Accounts: Business accounts may have restrictions on the music available in Instagram’s library due to licensing agreements. Consider using royalty-free music from other sources if you encounter this limitation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why can’t I find certain songs in Instagram’s music library?

Licensing restrictions often limit the availability of certain songs. Major record labels negotiate separate deals with social media platforms. If a song isn’t available, it’s likely due to a licensing agreement issue. Business accounts face stricter limitations.

2. Can I use my own music on Instagram?

Yes, by using video editing software to incorporate the music before uploading. However, ensure you have the rights to use that music to avoid copyright infringement.

3. What happens if I use copyrighted music without permission?

Instagram’s automated systems can detect copyrighted music. Your video may be muted, removed, or your account could face penalties.

4. How do I adjust the volume of the music in my Instagram Story or Reel?

Within the Reel editor, there’s an audio control panel. You can adjust the volume of both the camera audio and the music track independently. For Stories, this control is less granular.

5. Can I add lyrics to my Instagram Story?

Yes, if the song you’ve chosen has lyrics available in Instagram’s music library, the lyrics will be displayed automatically, and you can choose to showcase them.

6. How do I find trending music on Instagram?

Keep an eye on the Reels you see in your feed. Often, trending audio will be indicated by an upward-pointing arrow next to the song title. You can also check influencer and brand accounts to see what music they’re using.

7. Is it better to use Instagram’s music library or edit music in separately?

It depends on your goals. Instagram’s library is convenient and legally sound, while editing gives you more creative control over synchronization and audio mixing.

8. How do I add music to multiple clips in a single Instagram Story?

Each Story segment can only have one song at a time using Instagram’s built-in features. For multiple songs, you’d need to edit the clips together beforehand and add the music in an external editor.

9. What video format is best for uploading to Instagram?

MP4 with H.264 encoding is generally the best format for Instagram. Aim for a resolution of 1080p for good quality without excessive file size.

10. My Instagram account is a business account; how does this affect music options?

Business accounts often have more limited access to licensed music in Instagram’s library due to commercial usage restrictions. Consider using royalty-free music or music specifically licensed for business use.

11. How can I make my video stand out with music on Instagram?

• Choose music that aligns with your brand and target audience.
• Use trending audio strategically.
• Synchronize your music perfectly with the visuals.
• Experiment with different genres and moods.
• Consider adding sound effects for extra impact.

12. Are there any apps that can help me find royalty-free music for Instagram?

Yes, several platforms offer royalty-free music, including Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and Soundstripe. These services provide a wide range of high-quality music that you can use without worrying about copyright infringement.