How to Add Music to Instagram Story: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Adding music to your Instagram story can enhance the overall appeal and engagement of your content. Instagram’s music feature allows you to seamlessly embed your favorite tunes into your stories, creating a more captivating experience for your audience. But how exactly can you add music to your Instagram story even if you have a private account?

I was asked this question by a reader last week. Let’s explore the simple steps to elevate your Instagram stories with the perfect soundtrack.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Update Instagram to the latest version first, or the Music sticker may not show.
If you can’t find the Music sticker, it’s often due to regional restrictions or account-type limitations.
Add music from Instagram’s library by creating a Story, tapping Stickers, then choosing Music.
Use search, or browse by mood and genre, then preview and pick the exact clip you want.
Tap the music sticker to change the lyrics and display styles to fit your Story look.
Watch for copyright limits and usage rules so your Story doesn’t get muted or removed.
Tip from the post: switching a business category to Entrepreneur may unlock better music options.

Adding Music to an Instagram Story

Adding music to your Instagram Story is a creative way to enhance your content and engage your audience. Whether you’re sharing a moment from your day or promoting your business, the right music can add emotion to your story.

In this section, I’ll explain how to use the music feature in Instagram Stories and the requirements for adding music to your posts.

Understanding the Instagram Story Music Feature

Instagram’s music feature allows you to add a soundtrack to your stories from a library of popular songs. You can search for specific tracks. Or you may browse by mood or genre, and preview the music before adding it to your story.

This feature gives you the flexibility to choose the perfect song to complement your content and connect with your audience on a more emotional level.

By leveraging the power of music, you can create a more immersive and memorable experience for your viewers.

However, I’ve learned that if you change your Business profile category to Entrepreneur, you get great music to choose from. Otherwise, you only get elevator music to choose from.

Requirements for Adding Music

To add music to your Instagram Story, there are a few key requirements to keep in mind. Firstly, ensure that your Instagram app is updated to the latest version to access the music feature.

Additionally, not all accounts have the music feature enabled. If you don’t see the music sticker in your story editing options, it may not be available in your region or for your account type.

Furthermore, when selecting a song, consider that certain tracks may have usage restrictions or copyright limitations. It’s essential to choose music that complies with Instagram’s guidelines to avoid potential issues.

By understanding the music feature in Instagram Stories and the necessary requirements for adding music, you can elevate the impact of your content. It helps you to create more fun stories that resonate with your audience.

Adding Music from Instagram’s Library

Music can add a whole new dimension to your Instagram stories, making them more engaging and fun. You can easily enhance your stories by adding popular tracks from Instagram’s vast music library.

Let’s explore how to access Instagram’s music library and seamlessly add the perfect soundtrack to your story.

Accessing Instagram’s Music Library

Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device, then tap the camera icon in the top-left corner or swipe right from anywhere in your feed to open the camera.
Choose Your Media: Capture a photo or video, or upload existing content by tapping the gallery icon in the bottom-left corner.
Tap on Stickers: Once you have your content selected, look for the “Stickers” option at the top of the screen. A smiley face icon usually represents it.
Select the Music Sticker: Among the various sticker options, look for the “Music” sticker. It’s represented by a music note icon. Tap on it to access Instagram’s music library.

Selecting and Adding Music to Your Story

Browse Music Options: In the music library, you can search for specific tracks by browsing categories such as popular, moods, and genres. You can also use the search function to find a particular song.
Preview and Choose: Once you find a track you like, tap on it to preview and see how it fits with your story. You can scrub through the track to select the perfect part that complements your content.
Customize Style: Tap the music sticker multiple times to customize its style. You can choose from different display options to match your story’s aesthetic.
Share Your Story: After selecting the music and customizing its style, tap “Your Story” to share your creation with your followers.

By leveraging Instagram’s music library, you can effortlessly elevate the appeal of your stories This helps you connect with your audience on a more emotional level.

Whether it’s a catchy pop tune or a soothing melody, adding music to your Instagram story can significantly enhance its impact and make it more memorable.

However, picking from trending music in reels or stories may give your story a big lift on the network.

Adding Music from Spotify to an Instagram Story

After successfully connecting your Spotify and Instagram accounts, you can easily share music from Spotify to your Instagram Story.

Go to the song you want to share on Spotify, tap on the three dots, select “Share,” and choose “Instagram Stories.” This will open up the Instagram app with the album artwork of the song as a sticker on your Story.

You can customize the sticker by adding GIFs, emojis, or text, and once you’re satisfied with the look, just click on “Your Story” to share it with your followers. It’s a fun and creative way to enhance your Instagram Stories with your favorite music.

With your shared music, you can tap into your followers’ emotions, create a mood, or simply share your current favorite tunes.

The integration of music into your Instagram Stories using Spotify adds a dynamic element to your social media presence, giving your audience a glimpse into your personal soundtrack.

Adding Music from Other Sources

Adding music to your Instagram story can enhance the overall appeal and make it more engaging for your audience. In this section, I will explore two methods for adding music from sources other than Instagram’s built-in library.

Uploading Music from Your Device

One way to add music to your Instagram story is by uploading a song directly from your device. To do this, open the Instagram app and swipe right to create a new story.

Then, select the “Sticker” icon at the top of the screen and choose the “Music” option. From there, tap on the “My Music” tab and select the song you want to upload from your device.

Once you’ve chosen the song, you can customize the playback by selecting the specific portion you want to include in your story.

Using Third-Party Apps to Add Music

Another method for incorporating music into your Instagram story is by using third-party apps. There are numerous apps available that allow you to add music to your videos before uploading them to Instagram.

These apps provide a wide range of music options and customization features, giving you more control over the audio in your story. Some popular third-party apps for adding music to Instagram stories include “InShot,” “Splice,” and “VLLO.”

By using these methods, you can add personalized soundtracks to your Instagram Stories, making them more captivating and memorable for your audience.

Conclusion

Adding songs to your Instagram story can greatly enhance its appeal and engagement.

By following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can easily add your favorite tracks to your stories and create more dynamic and fun content for your audience.

Leveraging the power of music in your Instagram stories can help you stand out, connect with your followers on a deeper level, and ultimately grow your presence on the platform.

So, don’t hesitate to incorporate songs into your Instagram stories and take your content to the next level.

Have you been using Instagram music in your stories?

Frequently Asked Questions About Adding Music to an Instagram Story

How do you add music to an Instagram Story?

You can add music right inside the Story editor. First, create your Story (photo, video, or a plain background), then tap the sticker icon at the top, and choose Music. Search for a track by song name, artist, or mood, then pick the part of the song you want to use.
After you select a snippet, you can choose how it shows up on your Story, for example, as lyrics, a small album-style label, or a simple text-style sticker. Drag the sticker to reposition it, pinch to resize it, then post your Story.
If you don’t see the Music sticker, update the Instagram app, then try again. Also, check whether you’re posting to a Story (not a Reel or a Post), because the menus can look a little different.

Why can’t you find the Music sticker (or why is it missing)?

If the Music sticker is missing, it’s usually one of a few common issues. First, confirm your app is up to date, because older versions can hide or break features. Next, log out and back in, or restart your phone, since that can clear a temporary glitch.
Location and account type can matter, too. Music availability depends on licensing, so some countries and regions have a smaller catalog, or don’t have the feature at all. In addition, some accounts (especially certain business categories) may see a limited selection compared to personal or creator accounts.
If the sticker still doesn’t appear, try creating a new Story from the camera screen, then open Stickers again. If it’s still missing after that, checking Instagram’s Help Center is your best next step, since availability can change.

Why does a song say “This song isn’t available” (or it won’t play)?

That message almost always points to limitations on music licensing. A track might be available in one region but blocked in another, or it may be allowed in Stories but restricted for some account types. Sometimes the song gets removed from Instagram’s library with little warning, even if you used it before.
If the audio won’t play, test a different song to confirm it’s not an app-wide issue. When only one track fails, it’s likely the track itself. When multiple songs fail, update the app, switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, and try again.

Can you control the music volume with your video’s original sound?

Yes, Instagram lets you balance audio in many cases, especially when your Story includes a video with sound. After you add a song, look for the audio controls (often shown as a volume or mixer option, depending on your app version). From there, you can lower the music so your voice, room audio, or original clip sound is easier to hear.
If you don’t see a mixer option, you can still work around it. For example, pick a quieter section of the song, or choose a track with softer vocals. Another simple tactic is to avoid lyrics if you need clarity, since the vocal range can clash with speech.
Before posting, preview your Story with your phone volume at a normal level. That quick check saves you from posting a Story where the music drowns everything out.

Can you add music to an Instagram Story after you’ve posted it?

Not directly. Once a Story is live, you can’t edit it to add a Music sticker afterward. If you need music, your practical option is to delete the Story and re-upload it with the track added.
There are a couple of ways to make that less painful. If you saved the Story to your camera roll before posting, you can re-share it quickly. If you didn’t save it, check your Story Archive (if you have it turned on), then download the Story and repost it with music.

Author
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Lisa Sicard

Owner at Inspire To Thrive, Inc.

Lisa Sicard is a 30-Year Marketing Veteran & Social Media Timesaver Helping Solopreneurs Save Hours & Grow Organically – Custom Strategies, Not Courses.