Have you ever wanted to give your Instagram Story a little extra flair? One simple way to add personality and emotion is through music. It’s amazing how a good tune can instantly set the mood and make your story more memorable. Whether you’re showcasing a behind-the-scenes moment, celebrating a personal achievement, or sharing a fun moment, adding music can make your Instagram Story stand out.
If you’re ready to take your Instagram Stories to the next level with music, keep reading. We’ll walk you through exactly how to add music to your stories and share some tips on making the process easy and creative.
How to Add Music to Your Instagram Story
Adding music to your Instagram Story isn’t as complicated as it seems. Instagram has a built-in feature that lets you choose a song directly from their library. But to make your story even more engaging, it’s good to know a few tips and tricks along the way.
Choosing the Right Music for Your Story
Before you jump into adding music to your story, think about the vibe you want to create. Is it a fun moment, a serious one, or something in between? The music you pick will affect how your audience perceives your story.
Pick Songs That Match the Mood
When choosing a song, try to match the tone of your music with the content of your story. If you’re showing off a day out with friends, something upbeat and energetic might be perfect. If you’re sharing a quiet moment, a soft, mellow track can add to the feeling you’re going for.
Be Mindful of Copyright
While Instagram provides a wide selection of music, it’s always a good idea to be mindful of any copyright restrictions, especially if you’re running a business account or trying to reach a wider audience. Some songs may be unavailable in certain regions or for certain types of accounts. Keep this in mind before adding a song that may not be accessible to everyone.
Steps to Add Music to Your Instagram Story
Instagram has made it simple to add music to your story. Let’s walk through the step-by-step process to get your favorite song featured.
- Create Your Story First, open Instagram and swipe right or tap on your profile picture to begin creating your story. Take a photo, record a video, or upload content from your gallery.
- Tap the Music Sticker Once your photo or video is ready, tap on the sticker icon at the top of the screen. Then, select the “Music” sticker.
- Search for Your Song Instagram will take you to a music library where you can search for the song you want. Use the search bar to find specific tracks, artists, or genres. There are millions of options available, from popular hits to lesser-known tracks.
- Pick the Perfect Part of the Song Once you’ve selected your song, Instagram will allow you to choose which part of the song you want to feature. You can drag the slider to pick the perfect 15-second clip. Make sure it’s the part of the song that fits the story you’re telling.
- Customize Your Music Sticker After choosing the song and clip, you can customize how the music sticker looks. Instagram offers different display styles, such as lyrics or song title, so you can pick the one that best suits your story’s aesthetic.
- Post Your Story Once you’ve adjusted everything to your liking, tap “Done” and share your story with your followers. You can also send it to specific friends via direct message.
Advanced Tips for Adding Music to Instagram Stories
If you want to step up your Instagram Story game, try these advanced tips for using music creatively.
Layering Audio for Unique Effects
For added creativity, you can layer your music with voiceovers or sound effects. While Instagram doesn’t let you combine multiple audio tracks directly in the app, there are workarounds. You can create a video in another app, like Capcut or Adobe Rush, where you add multiple audio tracks and then upload it to Instagram.
Use Music as a Narrative Tool
Sometimes, the best way to tell a story is through music. You can use music to enhance the emotion of your content, such as starting with a slow, calming track and gradually building to something more upbeat. This could be especially effective for videos where you’re showcasing a change, like a transformation or a progression.
Sync Your Music to Your Visuals
If you’re feeling a little more advanced, consider syncing the visuals in your story with the beats of your music. While Instagram doesn’t have an auto-sync feature, this can be done manually by adjusting the timing of your video clips to match the rhythm of the song.
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Music on Instagram Stories
Even though adding music to your Instagram Stories is simple, you may run into a few issues. Here’s how to solve some common problems.
Music Not Available in Your Region
Instagram’s music library isn’t available in every country, and some tracks might be restricted based on location. If you’re unable to access a song you want to use, try using a different one. If you’re a business or creator account, you may face more limitations with music availability.
Music Sticker Won’t Show Up
If the music sticker is not showing up in your app, try these steps:
- Update Your App: Ensure your Instagram app is up-to-date, as older versions may lack the latest features.
- Clear Cache: If updating doesn’t work, clearing the app’s cache (on Android) or reinstalling the app can resolve temporary glitches.
Music Not Playing After Posting
Sometimes, Instagram stories may have an issue where the music doesn’t play after the story is posted. If this happens, you can:
- Check the Song Availability: Ensure the song is still available in your region.
- Repost: If the issue persists, try removing the music and re-adding it or uploading a new story.
How to Find Music on Instagram: A Guide for Beginners
Not sure how to browse through Instagram’s music library? Here’s a quick guide on how to make your search easier.
Browse by Genre
Instagram offers a variety of genres for you to explore, from pop to indie to electronic music. You can scroll through different genres to find something that fits the mood of your story. This is especially helpful if you have a specific style in mind but don’t know which song to choose.
Check Trending Tracks
If you’re looking for something that will resonate with your followers, check out the trending songs. Instagram shows you what’s currently popular, which can help you stay in the loop and use tracks that are already trending.
Discover Songs by Artist
If you’re a fan of a particular artist, you can search for their songs directly. Instagram often has an extensive catalog of both well-known and emerging artists, so you can showcase your favorite music.
Making the Most of Music in Your Instagram Stories
Music can transform your Instagram Story from ordinary to extraordinary. To get the most out of this feature, here are some tips.
Create Playlists for Your Stories
Want to add more than one song to your Instagram story? While Instagram doesn’t allow you to create multi-song playlists directly, you can still add multiple music stickers to your story. Use this method to create a playlist effect by adding different songs to different parts of your story.
Create Themed Stories with Music
Consider creating themed Instagram Stories where music plays a big part. For example, a “Throwback Thursday” story could feature nostalgic hits from the past, while a “Motivation Monday” story could use upbeat, energizing tracks to inspire your followers.
Be Creative with Music Placement
Instead of just slapping a music sticker on your story, get creative with its placement. You can put it in the corner, make it small, or even animate it. Experiment with how the music integrates into your overall story design for a more polished, unique look.
Final Thoughts
Adding music to your Instagram Story is a great way to connect with your audience and add personality to your content. Whether you’re sharing a fun moment with friends or showcasing a special event, the right music can make your story more engaging and memorable. By following these simple steps and creative tips, you can turn your Instagram Stories into mini masterpieces that captivate your followers. So, next time you’re ready to share something, don’t forget to choose the perfect track to make it even better!