Snapmuse

How to Add Music to Instagram Story

Introduced in 2016, Instagram stories allow us to share dynamic content with our followers. If you want to make your stories more appealing, learn how to add music!

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Discover Instagram and Influence

With its 1.440 billion users from all around the globe, Instagram is one of the biggest social media platforms of our day and age. That is why many influencers, models, actors, writers, streamers, and even businesses jumpstart their journey on Instagram –With the tools and various content formats offered by Instagram, it is very easy to reach millions of internet users around the world, sell products, spread your ideas, grow your business, or become world famous. 

Due to the immense potential of Instagram, many content creators are very active on this platform. If you want to grab the attention of your target audience, you must find ways to outshine your competitors and set yourself apart from them. 

The best way to make sure that your content is memorable is to add music! It is no secret that music has the power to evoke strong emotions in the audience and highlight the message you want to convey. 

If you want to reach wider audiences, grow your follower base, and increase the reach of your Instagram account, learn how to add music to your Instagram stories.

First introduced in 2016, stories aimed to strengthen Instagram’s hand against Snapchat which was gaining significant popularity. Inspired by Snapchat’s format, Instagram stories are available for only 24 hours. After that, they are gone forever.

Following its launch, story feature was absolutely loved by Instagram users. That is why Instagram introduced additional features to stories: Emoji sliders, quizzes, questionnaires, location tags, gifs, and of course, music!

You can add music to your Instagram stories via Instagram’s own music library. If you want to use different tracks or cannot find what you are looking for in the Instagram library, you can browse royalty free music genres, open source music libraries or music for edit video archives. You must be careful though: Social media platforms like Instagram are very particular with the music they allow on their platform. You can only use non copyright music, otherwise your content can be brought down, or your account can get suspended. 

You can find thousands of royalty free music tracks, podcast background music and Instagram story music on Snapmuse. You can browse by mood, genre, and artist to find exactly what you are looking for. Discover now!

If you want to learn more about how to add music to your Instagram stories, see our detailed guide below.

How to add music to Instagram story?

There are multiple ways of adding music to your Instagram story: The music sticker on the Instagram app, streaming services like Spotify or Apple music, or video editing tools that allow you to add music to your video recording.

Let’s start with the easiest one: The music sticker on Instagram app. Instagram has a relatively large music library. You can find songs in this library and add them to your stories, reels, or Instagram posts. 

If you want to add music from Instagram music library to your Instagram story, you must first open the app. Then you can swipe right or click on the plus icon at the bottom of your profile picture to access the “Add to Story” screen. Here you can create your Instagram story.

You can add a picture or video you have taken before to your Instagram story or capture a new one. If you want to add an old video or picture, click on the square on the bottom left corner of your screen. It will take you to your gallery. Select the image(s) you want to add to your story. Add filters, stickers or reposition the image if you want to.
If you want to capture a new video or picture, click on the white circle on the bottom of your screen. If you click once, you will take a picture. If you click and hold, you will record a video. Before capturing the image you want to, you can browse filters and add the one you like on the bottom of your screen. You can simply swipe left or right on the white circle to browse different filters.

Once the image you want to share is ready, click on the sticker icon on the top of your screen (it is between the text and filter icon). After clicking on the sticker icon, you will see various stickers like location tag, mention tag, gifs, avatar, link, and so forth. Click on the music sticker to visit the music library of Instagram. 
If you cannot see the music sticker, try updating your app. 

You can choose a song from “For You” tab of the Instagram music library or search for the specific song you want on the “Search music” bar on the top of your screen. Once you find the best music for your Instagram story, click on it. This will take you back to your story image. You will see the name, album art, or lyrics of the song you chose on your story. 

You can adjust the duration of the music clip by clicking on the number on the bottom left corner of the screen. You can choose any duration between 5 seconds and 15 seconds. 
By swiping left or right on the bottom line, you can choose which part of the song you want to add to your story. You can also swipe on the text icons to choose showing or hiding the lyrics and album art.

Once you are done, click on the “Done” button on the top right corner of your screen, and “Your Story” button on the bottom left corner of your screen to publish your story.


Another way of adding a song to your story is through music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music or Soundcloud. First, open the streaming app of your choice. Then find the song you want to share. Find the “Share” button/option on your “Now Playing” screen, then choose Instagram. This will redirect you to the story sharing screen. There you can make the adjustments you want to make and publish your story.

And finally, you can use video editing apps to create your own story and add music to it. Download a video editing app of your choice, open a new project, import your video, picture, and music clip. Crop and adjust the music clip to your liking. Once you are done editing, export your video and share it on Instagram.

If you don’t want to use songs in Instagram library, you can use video editing apps but be careful! Instagram has very strict policies regarding what songs you can share on the platform: You can only use non-copyrighted, royalty free tracks in your stories, videos and reels. Otherwise the platform can take your content down, give you a shadow ban or suspend your account permanently.

Why can't I add music to my Instagram story?

If you cannot add music to your Instagram story, try updating your app.
To do this, you need to go to the App Store or Google Play Store. Then search for the Instagram app. Once you find it, click on the Update button. After your update is finished, reopen the Instagram app, and try adding music to your story.

If you still cannot add music to your story, try deleting and reinstalling the app. First log out of your Instagram account. Then delete the app. After that, go to the App Store or Google Play Store. Search for the Instagram app, and download it.
After the download is completed, open the app and log back in to share a story.

How do I add music to my story on Instagram 2022?

Adding music to your Instagram stories is very easy! You can find music on the music library of Instagram by clicking on the music sticker. Another way is sharing your favorite songs on your story through music streaming platforms like Spotify, Shazam, Soundcloud, or Apple Music. 

If you want to unleash your creative side and come up with one of a kind stories, you can use video editing tools to add custom music tracks to your stories. After editing your video, export it and share it on Instagram as a story.

Instagram Story Music Ideas

If you want to attract wider audiences, increase your follower base, grow your business, increase your brand awareness or reach wider audiences, you should share creative and interactive Instagram stories. In doing so, music is your best ally! 

In order to make sure that your stories are memorable, you should choose music tracks that complement your message and aesthetic.

Moreover, you should follow trends! Incorporating new trends, using popular songs and hashtags will increase the visibility of your Instagram stories.

Follow top charts, always take a closer look at “For You” tab of the Instagram music library before sharing your stories, and watch stories people share with an attention to detail.

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