How to Put Music on Instagram: A Symphony of Social Media Savvy

Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app to a comprehensive platform for storytelling, brand building, and personal expression. One of the most engaging ways to enhance your Instagram presence is by incorporating music into your posts. Whether you’re a seasoned influencer or a casual user, adding music can transform your content, making it more dynamic and emotionally resonant. This article will guide you through the various methods of putting music on Instagram, ensuring your posts hit all the right notes.

1. Using Instagram’s Built-In Music Feature

Instagram has integrated a music feature that allows users to add songs to their Stories, Reels, and even regular posts. Here’s how you can use it:

For Stories: When creating a Story, swipe up or tap the sticker icon, then select the “Music” sticker. You can search for a specific song, browse by mood or genre, and even select a particular segment of the track. Once added, you can customize the appearance of the music sticker, adjusting the font, color, and position.
For Reels: When creating a Reel, tap the music note icon to access Instagram’s music library. You can search for songs, preview them, and select the exact part of the track you want to use. The music will sync with your video, allowing you to create a seamless audio-visual experience.
For Posts: While Instagram doesn’t currently allow music to be added directly to photo posts, you can include music in your captions or comments. For example, you can mention the song title and artist, or even use lyrics to complement your image.

2. Adding Music via Third-Party Apps

If Instagram’s built-in music library doesn’t have the song you’re looking for, or if you want more control over the audio, third-party apps can be a great solution. Apps like InShot, Videoleap, and Canva allow you to add music to your videos before uploading them to Instagram.

InShot: This app offers a wide range of editing tools, including the ability to add music from your device’s library or from the app’s own collection. You can trim the audio, adjust the volume, and even add sound effects.
Videoleap: Known for its advanced editing features, Videoleap allows you to layer multiple audio tracks, adjust timing, and apply effects. You can also import music from streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, though you’ll need to ensure you have the rights to use the music.
Canva: While primarily a design tool, Canva also offers video editing capabilities. You can add music to your videos, choose from a library of tracks, and even record your own voiceovers.

3. Creating Original Music

For those who are musically inclined, creating original music for your Instagram posts can be a unique way to stand out. Whether you’re a singer, instrumentalist, or producer, you can compose and record your own tracks to accompany your content.

GarageBand: Available on iOS devices, GarageBand is a powerful tool for creating music. You can use virtual instruments, record live audio, and mix your tracks to perfection. Once your song is ready, you can export it and add it to your Instagram videos.
FL Studio Mobile: This app offers a full-featured music production environment, allowing you to create complex compositions. You can export your tracks in various formats and use them in your Instagram posts.
BandLab: A cloud-based platform, BandLab allows you to collaborate with other musicians and create music online. You can export your tracks and use them in your Instagram content, giving your posts a professional edge.

4. Using Copyright-Free Music

If you’re concerned about copyright issues, using copyright-free music is a safe and legal option. There are numerous platforms that offer royalty-free tracks, which you can use in your Instagram posts without worrying about licensing fees.

Epidemic Sound: This platform offers a vast library of high-quality, royalty-free music. You can search by mood, genre, or tempo, and download tracks to use in your Instagram content.
Artlist: Another excellent source of royalty-free music, Artlist provides a wide range of tracks that are perfect for Instagram. You can download unlimited songs with a single subscription, making it a cost-effective option.
Bensound: Known for its simple and user-friendly interface, Bensound offers a selection of free tracks that you can use in your Instagram posts. While some tracks require attribution, many are available for free without any strings attached.

5. Leveraging Music in Instagram Live

Instagram Live is a powerful tool for real-time engagement, and adding music can make your broadcasts even more captivating. While Instagram Live doesn’t have a built-in music feature, you can use external devices or apps to play music during your live sessions.

Using a Second Device: You can play music on a second device, such as a smartphone or tablet, and position it near your primary device. This allows the music to be picked up by your microphone, creating a live soundtrack for your broadcast.
Using a Mixer: For more advanced setups, you can use a mixer to combine audio from multiple sources, including music players and microphones. This allows you to control the volume and balance of the music, ensuring it complements your live content.

6. Engaging Your Audience with Music Challenges

Music challenges are a popular trend on Instagram, encouraging users to create content around a specific song or theme. Participating in these challenges can boost your visibility and engagement, as they often go viral.

Discovering Challenges: Keep an eye on trending hashtags and explore pages to find popular music challenges. You can also create your own challenge, encouraging your followers to participate and share their creations.
Creating Content: Once you’ve chosen a challenge, create content that aligns with the theme. Use the designated song, add creative effects, and tag relevant accounts or hashtags to increase your reach.

7. Collaborating with Musicians

Collaborating with musicians can add a unique dimension to your Instagram content. Whether you’re featuring a live performance, creating a music video, or simply using a track in your posts, working with artists can enhance your content and attract new followers.

Reaching Out: Use Instagram’s direct messaging feature to connect with musicians whose work you admire. Propose a collaboration that benefits both parties, such as featuring their music in your posts in exchange for promotion.
Creating Joint Content: Collaborate on a piece of content that showcases both your talents. For example, you could create a video that combines your photography or videography skills with the musician’s audio, resulting in a compelling and shareable post.

8. Using Music to Enhance Brand Identity

For businesses and influencers, music can be a powerful tool for building brand identity. By consistently using specific songs or genres in your posts, you can create a recognizable and cohesive aesthetic that resonates with your audience.

Choosing a Signature Sound: Select a song or genre that aligns with your brand’s values and personality. Use this sound consistently across your posts, Stories, and Reels to create a strong auditory identity.
Creating Playlists: Share playlists on your Instagram profile that reflect your brand’s vibe. This not only engages your audience but also encourages them to associate your brand with a particular musical style.

9. Experimenting with Sound Effects

In addition to music, sound effects can add an extra layer of creativity to your Instagram posts. Whether you’re creating a comedic skit, a dramatic scene, or a relaxing montage, sound effects can enhance the mood and impact of your content.

Finding Sound Effects: Use apps like Zapsplat or Freesound to find a wide range of sound effects. You can download these effects and add them to your videos using editing apps like InShot or Videoleap.
Timing and Placement: Pay attention to the timing and placement of sound effects to ensure they complement your visuals. For example, a well-timed “whoosh” sound can emphasize a transition, while a subtle background noise can add depth to a scene.

10. Engaging with Your Audience Through Music

Finally, music can be a powerful tool for engaging with your audience. By asking for song recommendations, sharing your favorite tracks, or even hosting live music sessions, you can create a sense of community and connection with your followers.

Polls and Questions: Use Instagram’s interactive features, such as polls and questions, to ask your audience about their favorite songs or musical preferences. This not only engages your followers but also provides valuable insights into their tastes.
Sharing Personal Playlists: Share your personal playlists on Instagram, either through Stories or posts. This gives your audience a glimpse into your musical tastes and can spark conversations about shared interests.
Hosting Live Music Sessions: If you’re a musician or have connections in the music industry, consider hosting live music sessions on Instagram. This can be a great way to showcase talent, engage with your audience, and attract new followers.

Q: Can I use any song I want on Instagram? A: While Instagram’s built-in music library offers a wide range of songs, using music from external sources may require permission or licensing. Always ensure you have the rights to use a song before adding it to your posts.

Q: How do I add music to an Instagram post after uploading it? A: Currently, Instagram doesn’t allow you to add music to a post after it’s been uploaded. You’ll need to delete the post and re-upload it with the music included.

Q: Can I use music from Spotify on Instagram? A: Directly using music from Spotify on Instagram is not allowed due to licensing restrictions. However, you can use third-party apps to record and edit audio from Spotify, then add it to your Instagram videos.

Q: What should I do if my Instagram post gets muted due to copyright issues? A: If your post is muted due to copyright issues, you can either remove the music and re-upload the post or replace the music with a copyright-free track.

Q: How can I find trending songs on Instagram? A: You can discover trending songs by exploring the “Music” sticker in Stories, browsing the music library in Reels, or following popular hashtags and challenges related to music on Instagram.