I. Introduction
Attracting attention on social media can be challenging, but adding music to your Instagram story is a fun way to capture your audience’s attention! In this guide, we’ll explore how to access and use Instagram’s Music feature, recommended external music apps, legal considerations, creative ideas, and more. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the tools you need to create engaging content that stands out.
II. Accessing and Using Instagram’s Music Feature
Instagram’s Music feature is a built-in tool that allows users to add music to their Instagram stories with ease. To access it:
- Open the Instagram app and swipe right to open the camera or tap the camera icon in the top left corner of your screen.
- Take a photo or video, or choose an existing one from your camera roll.
- Once you’ve selected your content, tap the Sticker icon (smiley face) in the top right corner of your screen.
- Next, tap the Music sticker and search for the song you want to add to your story.
- Once you’ve selected your song, choose which part of the song you want to include in your story by adjusting the slider below the search bar.
- Now you can customize the music sticker by tapping it and selecting the style you want. You can also add lyrics by tapping the words at the bottom of the sticker.
- When you’re happy with your story, tap Your Story to share it with your followers!
Just like that, you’ve added music to your Instagram story! Experiment with different songs and styles to see what resonates with your audience.
III. Recommended External Music Apps
While Instagram’s Music feature is a great built-in tool, there are also external music apps that can enhance your Instagram content. Here are some recommended apps:
1. Spotify
Spotify is a music streaming platform that allows you to share songs, albums, and playlists on your Instagram story. Simply tap on the share button within Spotify, select Instagram Stories, and customize the sticker.
Pros: Easy and quick integration with Spotify app.
Cons: Limited customization options. Only works with Spotify.
2. InShot
InShot is a video and photo editing app with a built-in music library, allowing you to add any song to your Instagram story. InShot also offers a variety of editing tools, including filters, text overlays, and transition effects.
Pros: Highly customizable. Works with any song.
Cons: Extra time and effort required for users to learn and edit with the app.
3. Shazam
If you’re struggling to find the name of a song you want to use in your Instagram story, Shazam can help. Shazam is a music identification app that can recognize nearly any song just by listening to it.
Pros: Identifies songs in seconds accurately.
Cons: It is not integrated with Instagram
Try using these external music apps to diversify your music content and explore different ways to engage with your followers.
IV. Legal Considerations
It’s important to use music that doesn’t violate any copyrights or intellectual property laws when adding music to your Instagram story. Here are some sources of free-to-use music and sound effects libraries you can use:
1. YouTube Audio Library
YouTube Audio Library is a library of free music and sound effects you can use to create high-quality audio content without worrying about copyright infringement.
2. Free Music Archive
Free Music Archive is a platform for collaborative creation and sharing of music under a different Creative Commons license.
In addition to these sources, it’s important to note that Instagram’s Music feature only enables users to add music that’s already licensed by record labels and other music companies.
When in doubt, always check the terms of use for any music you want to use in your Instagram story. If you’re not sure whether a song is safe to use, consider creating your own music, buying a license to use music, or crediting the original artist in your story.
V. Creative Ideas for Adding Music to Instagram Stories
Music can be an effective way to add emotion, energy, and variety to your Instagram stories. Here are some creative ideas for incorporating music into your content:
1. Snippets of Popular Songs
Adding snippets of popular or trending songs to your Instagram story is a great way to create buzz around your brand or content. Make sure you choose songs that are relevant to your message or product and customize the sticker to suit your needs.
2. Tutorials and Step-by-Step Videos
Add music to your tutorials or step-by-step videos to create an engaging and memorable experience for your audience. Use joyful, upbeat music to create a positive vibe, or calming music to create a more relaxing atmosphere.
3. Emotional Moments
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or sharing a touching moment with your followers, adding the right music can enhance the emotion of your story.
VI. Instagram’s Music Partners
Instagram has partnered with many music companies to offer a wide selection of music for users to choose from. Here are some of the music partners worth following:
1. Sony/ATV
Sony/ATV offers a vast collection of music in different genres, including pop, rock, and soul.
2. Warner Chappell Music
Warner Chappell Music is a global music company that offers a wide selection of popular songs and soundtracks.
To find and follow these music partners on Instagram, simply search for their name and click Follow. By following music partners, you’ll discover new songs, stay up-to-date with hits, and gain inspiration for your own creative storytelling.
VII. Troubleshooting Issues and Removing Music
If you encounter common issues like music not playing or the Music sticker not working, try the following techniques:
1. Restart the App
If the music is not playing, try restarting the app and adding the music sticker again.
2. Update the App
Make sure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version.
If you want to remove the music from a story, simply tap and hold on the Music sticker, then select Delete. If you want to keep the story without audio, tap the Mute button in the top left corner of your screen.
VIII. Conclusion
Adding music to your Instagram story is an effective way to create engaging content that stands out. Whether you use Instagram’s built-in Music feature, external music apps, or follow music partners, there are many ways to make your stories more dynamic.