How to Add Music to Your Instagram Videos

How to Add Music to Your Instagram Videos

Music is a powerful tool that enhances the appeal of Instagram videos. Whether you’re sharing a Story, Reel, or feed post, adding the right music can evoke emotions, set the tone, and captivate your audience. Instagram makes it easy to incorporate music into your videos with built-in features and third-party tools.

This article will provide an in-depth guide on how to add music to your Instagram videos across different formats, offering tips for creating engaging content and avoiding copyright issues.

Why Add Music to Instagram Videos?

Adding music to Instagram videos offers several benefits:

1. Enhances Engagement: Music grabs attention and makes videos more enjoyable.
2. Sets the Mood: The right track can reinforce your video’s tone or theme.
3. Boosts Creativity: Music lets you showcase your style and personality.
4. Increases Reach: Videos with trending audio often perform better due to Instagram’s algorithm favoring engaging content.

Ways to Add Music to Instagram Videos

Instagram provides multiple features to incorporate music directly into your content. Let’s explore the step-by-step process for each format:

1. Adding Music to Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are 15-second clips that disappear after 24 hours unless saved as Highlights. Adding music to Stories is straightforward:

Steps to Add Music to Stories

1. Open Instagram:
   • Tap the + icon or swipe right from the home screen to access the Story camera.
2. Record or Upload Your Video:
   • Record a video using the Story camera or upload a pre-recorded clip by swiping up and selecting a file from your gallery.
3. Tap the Sticker Icon:
   • After recording or uploading, tap the Sticker icon (a smiley face in a square) at the top of the screen.
4. Select the Music Sticker:
   • Tap the Music sticker to access Instagram’s music library.
5. Choose a Song:
   • Browse or search for a song using the search bar.
   • Tap on a song to preview it.
6. Customize the Clip:
   • Select the portion of the song that fits your Story. Drag the slider to pick the desired segment (Instagram allows 5-15 seconds of music).
   • Choose between text-based lyrics or a small album cover display.
7. Post Your Story:
   • Tap Your Story to share it, or select Close Friends to limit visibility.

2. Adding Music to Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels are short, engaging videos designed for discovery and entertainment. Music is integral to Reels’ success.

Steps to Add Music to Reels

1. Access Reels:
   • Tap the + icon and select Reel or swipe left on the home screen to open the Reels camera.
2. Record or Upload Content:
   • Record clips directly in the app or upload pre-recorded videos from your gallery.
3. Tap the Music Icon:
   • Tap the Music icon (a musical note) on the left-hand toolbar.
4. Search for a Song:
   • Browse trending songs or search for specific tracks.
   • Select a song to preview it.
5. Adjust the Music:
   • Use the slider to select the section of the song you want.
   • If you’re recording multiple clips, you can align the music to transition seamlessly between clips.
6. Finalize and Post:
   • Add effects, text, or stickers if desired.
   • Tap Next, write a caption, and share your Reel.

3. Adding Music to Instagram Feed Videos

For longer videos shared as feed posts, Instagram allows music integration during the posting process.

Steps to Add Music to Feed Videos

1. Upload Your Video:
   • Tap the + icon and select your video from the gallery.
2. Edit Your Video:
   • Trim the video, apply filters, or adjust the thumbnail.
3. Tap Add Music:
   • During the editing process, tap the Music option.
   • Select a song from Instagram’s music library.
4. Adjust the Music:
   • Drag the slider to pick the desired section of the song.
5. Finalize and Share:
   • Write a caption, tag people, and post your video.

4. Using Third-Party Apps to Add Music

For greater control over audio, you can use external apps to add music before uploading videos to Instagram.

Popular Apps for Adding Music

1. InShot:
   • A user-friendly video editor with extensive music and effects libraries.
2. Adobe Premiere Rush:
   • Offers advanced editing tools and high-quality soundtracks.
3. CapCut:
   • Ideal for syncing music with transitions and effects.
4. iMovie (iOS):
   • Great for simple music overlays on Apple devices.

Steps to Add Music Using Third-Party Apps

1. Download and Install the App.
2. Import Your Video:
   • Open the app and upload your video.
3. Add Music:
   • Select a song from the app’s library or upload your own track.
4. Edit the Audio:
   • Adjust volume levels, trim the track, and sync it with the video.
5. Export the Video:
   • Save the edited video and upload it to Instagram.

5. Adding Music to Instagram Live Videos

While Instagram doesn’t allow direct music overlays during Live broadcasts, you can play music in the background.

Tips for Adding Music to Live Videos

• Use a second device to play music while streaming.
• Ensure the music volume doesn’t overpower your voice.

Tips for Choosing the Right Music

1. Know Your Audience:
   • Pick music that resonates with your target audience.
2. Match the Mood:
   • Use upbeat tracks for energetic content and mellow tunes for reflective themes.
3. Stay On-Brand:
   • Ensure your music aligns with your brand identity.
4. Leverage Trending Songs:
   • Trending tracks often perform better on Instagram due to algorithm boosts.
5. Check Copyright Rules:
   • Use Instagram’s licensed music library to avoid copyright issues.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Audio Quality:
   • Poor sound quality can detract from your video’s impact.
2. Overpowering Background Music:
   • Ensure music doesn’t overshadow narration or dialogue.
3. Choosing Irrelevant Tracks:
   • Select music that complements your content theme.
4. Failing to Credit Artists:
   • Give credit when using original music to maintain ethical standards.

Conclusion

Adding music to your Instagram videos can elevate your content, making it more engaging and appealing to your audience. Whether you’re creating Stories, Reels, or feed posts, Instagram offers intuitive tools to seamlessly integrate music into your videos. For advanced editing, consider using third-party apps that provide greater creative control.