How to add music to Instagram posts? (A complete guide)

Learning how to add music to Instagram posts can be a true game-changer and help you elevate your Instagram marketing strategy. It is a quick and efficient way of reaching new people and also impressing your existing following with engaging content.

Since the word ‘Instagram post’ itself is a generic one, it is important to discuss this process in detail according to different types of Instagram content, including feed posts, carousel posts, videos, Reels, and Stories.

By the end of this comprehensive guide, you’ll be a pro at adding music to your Instagram content and will also know the key tips and tricks that can help you analyze the key metrics of your profile.

Key takeaways

Why music makes your Instagram content stand out?

Adding the right soundtrack to your Instagram posts can help you connect with your audience in a much better manner. It can drive Instagram engagement and also set the right emotional tone for your content.

Moreover, the significance of adding music to Instagram posts is supported by a study from Statista that shows that Instagram Reels get the highest reach (37.87%) on the platform, followed by carousels (26.62%) and images (17.21%).

Therefore, adding music to your Instagram posts is a great way of adding a dynamic layer to your static content and making it more memorable for the audience.

So, let’s see how you can add music to different types of Instagram posts:

How to add music to Instagram posts?

Instagram’s built-in music feature lets you add licensed tracks directly to your posts. Whether you are trying to grow your business on Instagram or just want to gain more followers on your personal account, you should follow these steps to add music to your posts and make them more engaging:

Step 1: Create your post

Open Instagram app and tap the + icon at the bottom center of your screen. Select “Post” and choose your photo or video (or multiple images for a carousel).

Step 2: Edit your content

Apply any desired filters or edits to your content. In order to add music, you have two different options:

1. Tap the music icon to browse the music gallery

2. You also have the option of adding music later on right before sharing the post. .

• Tap the next button

• Choose Add music option on the next screen.

Step 3: Find the perfect track

Use the search bar to look for specific songs, artists, or moods. You can also browse through trending songs, genres, or your recently used tracks.

Pro tip: Before starting the upload process, save the trending sounds you want to use. This streamlines your content creation process, with the right tracks saved for easy access.

Step 4: Choose your segment

Once you’ve selected a song, you can choose which segment you want to play. Drag the slider to find the perfect part of the song that matches your content. Tap the numbered circle on the left side of the slider to set the duration, with options ranging from 5 to 90 seconds.

Step 5: Finalize and share

Tap Done to add the selected music to your post. Add your caption, location, tags, and other details, then tap Share to publish your post with music.

Once published, your image will display with a small banner above it, featuring a music icon and the name of the autoplaying song and artist.

How to add music to Instagram video or carousel posts?

Adding music tracks is not just limited to Instagram single-image posts. You can also add music to multiple photos as part of a carousel post or a video. Here’s how:

1. Open Instagram and tap the + icon at the bottom of your screen.
2. Select Post and choose a video or multiple photos from your gallery.
3. Edit your post as desired with filters and adjustments, and tap Next.
4. Tap Add Music and browse or search for your desired track.
5. Select the portion of the song you want to play during your video or carousel post.
6. Tap Done and share your post as usual.

The music will play while your video plays or while the user scrolls through the carousel post, creating a more immersive experience for viewers.

Related: What is a carousel post? Benefits, platform requirements, & creation tips

How to add music to Instagram stories?

The process of adding music to Instagram stories is a little different from adding sound to posts. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open Instagram and swipe left or tap your profile picture with the + to create a new Story.

2. Capture or upload your photo/video content.

3. Tap the music icon at the top.

Alternatively, you can also tap the sticker icon (square face) at the top and choose the Music sticker.

4. Browse or search for your desired song

5. Choose your preferred segment between the range of 5 to 15 seconds. You can also select a display style for the music (lyrics, album art, or minimal player). Remember that lyrics are not always available for all of the music in Instagram’s library.

6. Once the music and other story elements are finalized, tap the Share button to put up the story with music on your Instagram profile.

How to use your own music on Instagram?

Want to showcase your original music or use tracks not in Instagram’s library? This approach can help you create engaging content that stands out from competitors.

Here are four methods:

Method 1: Record with background music

Record your video with music playing in the background. While simple, this may result in lower audio quality.

Method 2: Pre-edit with external apps

1. Use video editing apps like CapCut, InShot, or Adobe Premiere Rush
2. Import your video and add your desired audio track
3. Export the combined file
4. Upload to Instagram as normal

Method 3: Use music streaming integration

If your music is on Spotify, Apple Music, or other platforms:

1. Open your music streaming app
2. Navigate to the song you want to share
3. Tap the share button
4. Select “Instagram Stories”
5. The app will create a Story with album art and a link to the song
6. Add your photos/videos on top

Related: How to add Spotify music to Instagram Story?

Method 4: Upload to Instagram’s music library

Uploading your own tracks to Instagram’s music library is only possible if you meet certain requirements as a creator and partner up with a music distribution platform.

Why can’t I add music to my Instagram post?

If you’re struggling to add music to your Instagram posts, there are several possible reasons:

1. App updates: Ensure you’re running the latest version of Instagram
2. Regional restrictions: Music licensing varies by country; some regions have limited or no access
3. Account type: Business accounts may have restricted music options due to commercial licensing
4. Copyright limitations: Certain tracks have usage restrictions
5. Technical glitches: Try logging out and back in or reinstalling the app
6. Device limitations: The music feature is primarily designed for mobile devices and may not be available when using Instagram on a computer

Related: How to fix Instagram not working problem?

Troubleshooting questions about adding Instagram music

Based on feedback from our community and online forums, here are solutions to the most frequent issues users face while adding music to Instagram posts:

“I can’t find the option to add music to my posts”

This is one of the most common complaints. If you can’t see the music option:

• Ensure you’re using the latest Instagram app version
• Check if you’re in a region where music features are available
• Some business accounts have limited music access due to licensing restrictions
• Try logging out and back into your account
• The music option is only available for single-image posts on some devices

“People can’t hear music on my posts”

If you added music but followers can’t hear it:

• Check if they’re using an outdated app version
• Ensure they haven’t muted media in their settings
• Some regions have viewing restrictions for certain music
• Business accounts may have different music playback capabilities
• The music banner should appear at the top of your post – if it’s missing, the music wasn’t properly added

“Can I add music to my post after publishing?”

No, you cannot add music to an Instagram post after it has been published. Instagram only allows you to add music during the creation process. Once a post is live, you cannot edit it to add music.

If you want to add music to your Instagram post after posting it, your only options are:

• Delete and repost with music (you’ll lose comments and likes)
• Share your existing post to Stories and add music there
• For future posts, always add music before publishing

“Music only works on some types of posts”

The music feature availability varies by post type:

• Single image posts: Music option should appear during publishing
• Carousel posts: Some users report music only works with specific configurations
• Video posts: Music can be added during the editing stage
• Reels: Full music library available with extended options

When to use music (and when not to)

Perfect scenarios for adding music in Instagram posts:

• Product showcases that benefit from emotional connection
• Travel content that evokes a sense of place
• Behind-the-scenes footage that tells a story
• Trending challenges where audio is central
• Brand moments that align with your identity

When to skip the music:

• Tutorial videos where clarity of instruction is paramount
• Serious announcements where music might seem inappropriate
• Nature or ambient content where natural sounds create authenticity
• Interview clips where dialogue should take center stage
• When your visual content speaks for itself

Conclusion: Creating your Instagram music strategy

Adding music to your Instagram content isn’t just about following technical steps—it’s about crafting an audio-visual experience that captures attention, evokes emotion, and builds your brand.

Start by experimenting with different music styles across your content types. Track which combinations drive the most engagement using proper social media analytics, then develop a consistent approach that becomes part of your brand identity.

Remember that great content paired with the perfect soundtrack can transform casual viewers into devoted followers.

By applying the techniques in this guide, you’ll create Instagram content that not only looks great but sounds unforgettable.

FAQs