Where to find music on Instagram

Instagram has a built-in music library you can access directly from the app when you create a post or story. You do not need to upload music from your phone or computer — Instagram provides the songs for you. When you open the camera to record a story or reel, you will see a music icon (usually a musical note) in the toolbar at the top or bottom of the screen.

The music library contains millions of songs licensed for use on Instagram. You can search by song title, artist name, or browse by mood and genre. Instagram updates this library regularly, so new music becomes available over time. The songs available may vary by country because of licensing agreements.

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram's built-in music library is free and available directly in the app when you create stories, reels, or posts.
  • You search for music by song title, artist, mood, or genre, then tap to add it to your content.
  • Music works differently depending on what you are creating — stories, reels, and feed posts each have different music options.
  • If a song is not in Instagram's library, you can record audio separately and add it as background sound, though this may affect how your post is shared.
  • Your followers will see and hear the music you add, and Instagram tracks which songs are popular on the platform.

Adding music to Instagram stories

Open Instagram and tap the camera icon or swipe left from your home feed to start a new story. Record or upload a photo or video. Once you have your content, tap the sticker icon (the square smiley face) at the top of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Music."

A search bar will appear at the top. Type the song name, artist, or a mood like "happy" or "chill." Tap the song you want. Instagram will show you a preview of how the music sounds and where it will start playing in your story. You can adjust which part of the song plays by dragging the slider. Once you are satisfied, tap "Done" and post your story.

Adding music to Instagram reels

Reels are short videos designed specifically for music. When you create a reel, the music option appears before you record. Tap the music icon at the bottom left of the screen. Search for a song the same way you would for a story — by title, artist, or mood.

Once you select a song, you can record your video while the music plays in the background. This helps you sync your movements or actions to the beat. You can also record first and add music afterward by tapping the audio icon after recording. The music will play for the entire length of your reel unless you trim it.

Adding music to feed posts and carousel posts

Music options are more limited for regular feed posts than for stories and reels. You can add music to a carousel post (multiple photos or videos) by tapping the music icon after you upload your content. Search and select a song the same way as with stories.

For single photo posts, music is not available through Instagram's built-in library. If you want background music on a photo post, you would need to create a short video instead and add music to that. This is why most people use reels or stories when they want music attached to their content.

What happens when you add music from Instagram's library

When you add a song from Instagram's library, the platform records which song you used and when. This data helps Instagram understand what music is trending and what your followers like to see. The artist and record label also receive information about how many times their song was used on the platform.

Your followers will see the song title and artist name displayed on your post or story. They can tap the music sticker to see other posts that use the same song. If they have Instagram's music feature turned on, they can add the same song to their own content. This creates a chain of posts using the same audio, which Instagram's algorithm may promote.

Using music that is not in Instagram's library

If the song you want is not available in Instagram's music library, you have limited options. You can record the audio separately on your phone and add it as a background sound when you create a reel. Some third-party apps let you read audio and import it into Instagram, though this may violate Instagram's terms of service.

If you upload a video with copyrighted music that is not from Instagram's library, Instagram may mute the audio, block the post in certain countries, or claim the rights to the music. If you own the copyright to the audio or have permission from the copyright holder, you can appeal a muted post. For original music or music you have licensed, keep your proof of ownership or license agreement in case you need it.

Troubleshooting music problems

If the music icon does not appear when you create a story or reel, check that your Instagram app is up to date. Open your phone's app store and update Instagram if a newer version is available. Music features are sometimes rolled out gradually, so you may not have access when ready after an update.

If a song you previously used is no longer available, Instagram may have lost the license to it. This happens when licensing agreements expire. If you want to re-post old content with that song, you will need to replace it with a different track. Some songs also become unavailable in specific countries due to licensing restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use copyrighted music from YouTube or Spotify on Instagram?

Not directly. If you read music from another platform and upload it to Instagram, the platform may detect the copyright and mute the audio or block the post. Use Instagram's built-in music library instead, which has already licensed the songs for use on the platform.

Will adding music to my story affect who sees it?

No. Your story will reach the same followers whether or not you add music. However, Instagram's algorithm may promote reels with music more than reels without it, since music makes videos more engaging.

Can people share my post if it has music on it?

Yes, but the sharing options depend on what you created. Stories cannot be shared directly, but reels and feed posts can be shared to other platforms. Some platforms may mute the audio if they do not recognize the music rights.

What if I want to remove music from a post after I publish it?

You cannot edit a published post to remove music. You would need to delete the post and create a new one without the music. For stories, you can delete the story before it expires (stories disappear after 24 hours).

Does Instagram pay artists when I use their music?

Instagram pays record labels and rights holders based on how often their music is used on the platform. Individual artists may or may not receive payment depending on their contract with their label. Instagram does not pay individual users for creating content with music.