How to Add Music to an Instagram Post
Adding music to your Instagram content is a great way to enhance engagement, set the mood, and make your posts more memorable. While Instagram allows music on Stories and Reels easily, adding music to traditional feed posts (like photo or video uploads) works a bit differently. This article walks you through the steps to add music to your Instagram posts—whether it’s a Story, Reel, or feed video.
1. Add Music to Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories allow you to add music directly through the app:
Steps:
- Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon at the top or swipe right from the feed to open the Story camera.
- Take a photo, record a video, or select one from your gallery.
- Tap the sticker icon at the top.
- Select the “Music” sticker.
- Search for a song or browse trending tracks.
- Tap the song to preview it and choose the section you want (15 seconds max).
- Customize the display (lyrics, album art, etc.).
- Tap “Done”, then share your Story.
2. Add Music to Instagram Reels
Reels are perfect for syncing short-form video content with music:
Steps:
- Tap the “+” and select “Reel”.
- Tap the music note icon on the left-hand menu.
- Browse or search for a song.
- Choose the part of the song you want to use.
- Record or upload a video.
- Use additional features like text, effects, and stickers.
- Tap “Next” and share your Reel to your feed or Reels tab.
3. Add Music to a Regular Instagram Post (Feed Post)
Instagram does not support adding music directly to photo posts in the traditional feed. However, there are two workarounds:
Option 1: Convert to a Reel
Instagram allows you to post a photo with music as a Reel, which behaves similarly to a regular post.
- Tap “+”, select Reel.
- Choose a photo (or a series of photos).
- Tap the music icon, add your desired song.
- Set the duration and visual style.
- Post as a Reel, and optionally share to your feed.
Option 2: Add Music to Video Before Uploading
If you’re uploading a video post:
- Use a third-party video editor (like InShot, CapCut, or Adobe Rush) to add your desired music.
- Save the edited video to your phone.
- Open Instagram, select Post, and upload the edited video.
- Complete your caption and tags, then share.
⚠️ Note: Make sure the music you’re adding complies with copyright rules if it’s not sourced from Instagram’s own library.
Tips for Choosing the Right Music
- Match the mood of your content (funny, emotional, informative, etc.).
- Use trending songs to increase visibility.
- For brands or creators, consider royalty-free or original music for safety and consistency.
Final Thoughts
While Instagram offers built-in tools to add music to Stories and Reels, adding music to standard feed posts may require a bit of creativity. Whether you’re a casual user, influencer, or small business, music can be a powerful tool to enhance your Instagram presence.
