How to Add Music to Your Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are a powerful way to engage with your audience, whether you’re sharing a personal moment or promoting a brand. One of the most popular features that can make your Stories more dynamic and entertaining is the ability to add music. Music not only enhances the storytelling experience but also helps create emotional connections with your viewers. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to add music to your Instagram Stories, along with tips and tricks for making the most out of this feature.

Why Add Music to Your Instagram Stories?

Before diving into the steps, let’s explore the benefits of adding music to your Instagram Stories:

1. Enhances Engagement: Music can captivate your audience’s attention. It makes your Stories more immersive and helps evoke emotions that resonate with your viewers.
2. Sets the Mood: Whether you’re sharing a happy moment, an inspiring message, or a calm scene, the right music can set the tone for your Story and make your content more impactful.
3. Brand Personality: For businesses, music can be a great way to showcase your brand’s personality. By choosing songs that align with your brand’s values and target audience, you can communicate your message more effectively.
4. Increased Discoverability: Using popular music can increase the chances of your Story being shared or viewed. Instagram users often search for Stories with trending songs, giving you the potential to reach a broader audience.

How to Add Music to Your Instagram Stories

Now that you know why adding music is essential, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of adding music to your Instagram Stories.

Step 1: Open the Instagram App and Access Stories

First, open the Instagram app and make sure you’re logged in to your account. Then, follow these steps:

• On your home screen, swipe right, or tap the “+” icon at the top left corner of your screen and select “Story” from the options at the bottom of the screen.
• You’ll be directed to the Instagram Stories camera, where you can take a photo or video to share or upload media from your gallery by swiping up.

Step 2: Create or Upload Your Story

You can either create a new Story by taking a photo, recording a video, or uploading content from your phone’s gallery:

• Capture a Photo/Video: Tap the shutter button to capture a photo or hold it down to record a video. For better effects, you can switch between different modes like “Boomerang” or “Hands-Free.”
• Upload from Gallery: Swipe up to access your phone’s photo library. Choose the media file you want to share as your Story.

Step 3: Add Music to Your Story

Once your Story content is ready, it’s time to add music. Follow these steps:

1. Tap on the Sticker Icon: At the top of the screen, tap on the sticker icon (which looks like a square smiley face).
2. Select the Music Sticker: Scroll through the available stickers until you find the “Music” sticker. Tap on it to open the music library.
3. Choose a Song: You’ll see a search bar at the top where you can search for a song by its title, artist, or genre. Alternatively, you can browse through popular songs, trending music, or curated playlists.
4. Preview the Song: Tap on a song to preview it. Instagram allows you to select a specific portion of the song (up to 15 seconds for photos and 15 to 60 seconds for videos).
5. Select a Segment: Once you’ve chosen a song, Instagram lets you pick the exact part of the song you want to feature in your Story. Use the slider to select the portion you want to play. For videos, you can extend the music segment if your Story is longer.
6. Customize Music Display: After selecting the music, you can adjust how the song’s lyrics or album cover appear on your Story. You can choose between different styles like lyrics in animated text or simply showing the album cover with the song name and artist. Move and resize the music sticker as needed.

Step 4: Customize Your Story

You can continue to personalize your Story by adding other elements like text, drawings, or additional stickers. Instagram gives you plenty of creative tools to enhance your Story, making it more engaging.

Step 5: Share Your Story

Once you’re satisfied with your Story, it’s time to share it:

• Tap “Your Story” at the bottom of the screen to publish it to your followers.
• If you prefer to share the Story with a select group of people, you can use the “Close Friends” option.

Your Story will remain visible for 24 hours unless you save it to your Highlights, where it will be displayed permanently on your profile.

Additional Tips for Using Music in Instagram Stories

Here are some extra tips to help you use music effectively in your Instagram Stories:

1. Use Lyrics for Better Storytelling: If your song has lyrics available, consider displaying them in your Story. This can enhance the narrative and give your viewers more context about the mood or message you’re conveying.
2. Trending Songs for Better Reach: Stay on top of trending songs. Using popular music can increase the chances of your Story being discovered through Instagram’s music-based search features.
3. Match the Mood: Always choose a song that matches the tone of your Story. If your Story is uplifting, go for a high-energy or feel-good track. If it’s more introspective, a calm or emotional song may be more appropriate.
4. Business Accounts: If you have a business account, be mindful of Instagram’s licensing restrictions. Some songs might not be available for commercial use, so be sure to explore Instagram’s selection of royalty-free tracks in the “For Business” section of the music library.
5. Experiment with Different Styles: Don’t be afraid to get creative! Experiment with different types of music and visual elements to see what resonates best with your audience. You can use upbeat music for product launches or soothing music for more reflective content.
6. Monitor Performance: After sharing Stories with music, check your Instagram insights to monitor engagement. Pay attention to how music affects the number of views, reactions, and shares.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If You Can’t Add Music to Your Instagram Stories

In some cases, you might not have access to the music sticker. Here are some reasons and solutions:

• Outdated App: Ensure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version. Visit the App Store (for iPhone users) or Google Play Store (for Android users) to check for updates.
• Country Restrictions: The music sticker may not be available in some countries due to licensing issues. Unfortunately, this is beyond your control, but Instagram is continuously working to expand this feature globally.
• Business Accounts: If you have a business account, your access to music might be limited due to commercial music licensing restrictions. Consider switching to a creator account for more music options.

Conclusion

Adding music to your Instagram Stories is a fun and engaging way to enhance your content. Whether you’re sharing personal updates or promoting a brand, the right song can elevate your Story and capture your audience’s attention. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to start adding music to your Stories today, and remember to stay creative and experiment with different music and visual combinations to keep your content fresh.