Instagram Stories are great for sharing snippets of content and connecting with your followers in a fun and creative way. Beyond just photos and videos, Stories offer a variety of features to make your content more engaging. One powerful way to do this is to add music to your Instagram Story, which can bring a new level of depth to your content.
Music can elevate your Instagram Stories, whether you want to set the mood for a funny moment, highlight a special occasion with a specific song, or simply add a personal touch. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process for adding music to your Instagram Story so you can unleash your creativity and share your Stories with the world in a whole new way.
How To Add Music To Instagram Stories
Ready to add some sound and personality to your Instagram Stories? The built-in music library is a great way to add songs that perfectly complement your content using the built-in sticker feature.
Here’s a quick guide to get started:
Step 1: Open the Instagram app and tap the camera roll icon at the bottom left corner or swipe right to open the camera. Capture a photo or video, or choose one that’s already in your camera roll.
Step 2: When you’ve selected your photo or video, tap the sticker icon in the top right of the screen.
Step 3: Look for the “Music” sticker and tap on it to open the music library.
Step 4: You can browse through the various categories or use the search bar to find a specific song.
Step 5: Tap on a song to preview it, and use the slider at the bottom to choose the exact part of the song you want to use in your Story.
Step 6: Once you’ve selected your selected song, you can customize its appearance by pinching it to resize it or tapping it to change the color of the lyrics (if available).
Step 7: Finally, hit the “Share Story” button to share your creation with your followers.
How To Add Music To Instagram Stories Without the Music Sticker
Here’s a step-by-step guide to adding music to your Instagram Stories without the music sticker:
Step 1: Open any music streaming app you have, like Spotify or Apple Music.
Step 2: Find the song you want to use and tap play. Make sure the volume is turned up on your device.
Step 3: Quickly switch to the Instagram app and open the camera for a new Story.
Step 4: Start recording your video while the song is still playing in the background.
Copyright Note: Be aware that Instagram automatically checks Stories for copyright infringement. If your chosen music violates copyright laws, the audio might be muted from your video.
While this method allows you to add music to your Stories, you won’t be able to include features like song lyrics or album covers.
Why Can’t I Add Music to My Instagram Story
Despite the convenience of the music sticker, many Instagram users may encounter situations where they can’t find this feature available for their Stories. Let’s delve into some common reasons why the “Music” sticker might be missing or inaccessible on your Instagram account:
Regional Restrictions: Music features might not be available in your country due to licensing agreements or local laws.
Outdated App: Ensure the Instagram app version you have installed is up to date. Older versions don’t always have the full range of current features.
Technical Glitch: Sometimes, temporary glitches can affect the app’s functionality. Try restarting your device or closing and reopening the app.
Branded Content: Instagram’s policies restrict the use of stickers in branded content ads to avoid copyright issues.
Instagram also restricts music availability for Business Accounts, so you might want to switch to a Creator Account to take full advantage of what’s on offer.
How to Add Your Own Music to Your Instagram Story
Adding your own original sound to your Instagram Stories is a fantastic way to stand out, showcase your talent, and grab attention from new audiences. Here are three different methods you can use, depending on your preferences:
1. Leverage Existing Platforms
If you already have your tracks uploaded to a music streaming app like Spotify, Soundcloud, or Apple Music, you can use the “Music” sticker just like with any other song. Simply follow the steps outlined in this guide, search for your song title, and add it to your Story.
2. Upload to Instagram’s Music Library (Requires Distribution)
Consider uploading your music directly to Instagram’s music library for a wider reach and potential monetization opportunities. This requires partnering with a third-party music distribution company like DistroKid or TuneCore. As a bonus, you’ll earn royalties whenever your track is played.
3. Edit and Upload a Video
This method offers the most creative freedom. You can use video editing software to create a polished video featuring your music, visuals, and any sound effects you like. Once your video is complete, simply upload it as an Instagram Story, just like any other video.
How to Add Lyrics to an Instagram Story
Adding lyrics to your music-filled Instagram Story is a fun way to engage your audience and create a more interactive experience. The whole process follows the same basic steps as adding music, which we’ve already covered. Here’s how to add lyrics:
Step 1: Open the Instagram app.
Step 2: Tap the “+” icon on your profile picture in the top left corner.
Step 3: Add your photo or video to your Story.
Step 4: Tap the “Music” sticker to choose a song from Instagram.
Step 5: Search for the song you want and select it.
Step 6: Tap the album artwork.
Step 7: Choose your desired font type, size, and placement for the lyrics.
Note: Not all songs have available lyrics. This might be due to licensing agreements or the absence of synced lyrics within Instagram’s music library.
If the lyrics aren’t available, you can still add the song using the “Music” sticker and showcase its cover art within your Story.
How To Add Music To Instagram Stories From Streaming Apps
If you’re active on any popular music streaming platforms, you’ve access to a whole world of opportunities to step up your Stories game. Most major apps have built-in features to help you export audio with ease, getting the sounds you need in just a few clicks.
1. Add Music From Spotify to Instagram Story
If you want to share a catchy tune from Spotify that complements your Instagram Story, here’s what to do.
Step 1: Open the Spotify app and find the song you want to share. Tap on it to let the music flow.
Step 2: Locate the share button – it’s either a three-dotted menu in the top right corner or an icon with arrows pointing outwards in the bottom right. Tap it to reveal sharing options.
Step 3: From the pop-up menu, look for “Stories” and tap it. This will seamlessly export the song to your Instagram Story.
Step 4: Once in Instagram Stories, you can unleash your creativity! Edit the Spotify song thumbnail by moving, resizing, or rotating it to fit your Story perfectly.
Step 5: When everything looks just right, tap “Your Story” at the bottom of the screen to share your Spotify-powered Story with the world.
2. Add Music From Soundcloud to Instagram Story
SoundCloud offers an incredible library of music, with the option of easily uploading your original sounds. Plus, you can easily share your favorite SoundCloud tracks with your Instagram followers. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the SoundCloud app and find the song you want to share.
Step 2: Tap the “Share” icon (usually an arrow pointing upwards), then select “Share to Instagram Stories.”
Step 3: This will automatically open Instagram and add the song’s artwork as your Story image.
Step 4: You can further enhance your Story by adding a sticker with the SoundCloud logo and song title. This helps direct viewers to your SoundCloud profile page for further exploration.
3. Add Music From Apple Music to Instagram Story
For iOS users, in particular, adding tracks, songs, and sounds from Apple Music to IG Stories is a breeze. All you need to do is this:
Step 1: Open the Apple Music app.
Step 2: Find the song you want to share and tap the three dots in the top right corner.
Step 3: Select “Share” and then choose “Instagram” from the list of options.
Step 4: Apple Music will automatically add a sticker with the song or album artwork to your Story. A link labeled “Play on Apple Music” will appear in the top left corner.
Step 5: Edit and customize your Story as needed, then tap “Your Story” to share.
4. Add Music From Shazam to Instagram Story
Shazam is still the number-one app for identifying audio and can also be a great place to add something special to your Instagram Stories. Here’s how to add music from Shazam:
Step 1: Use Shazam to identify the song like you normally would, whether it’s playing on TV, in a cafe, or anywhere else.
Step 2: Once Shazam identifies the song, tap the three dots (…) in the top right corner of the app.
Step 3: Select “Share” and then choose “Instagram Stories” from the pop-up menu. This will seamlessly open the Instagram app.
Step 4: Instagram automatically imports the song’s artwork and adds a helpful “More on Shazam” link to your Story.
Step 5: Now that your Story is ready, tap “Your Story” to share your musical discovery with your followers!
This whole thing is quick, convenient, and perfect for adding unexpected music finds to your Instagram content.
Conclusion
Whether using the built-in library or integrating music from external apps, incorporating music can set the mood, highlight key moments, and boost engagement in a big way. It’s worth remembering that with 800 million active Instagram Story users, it takes something special to get ahead.
So, unleash your creativity, explore the options above, and use the power of music to connect with your followers on a deeper level. Experiment with all the features IG offers, add visuals like gifs to amplify your Story’s impact, and take the time to engage with your audience as actively as possible. Above all else, keep your Stories true to your personality, and they’ll always shine.
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