How to Add Music to Instagram Posts: Elevate Your Content with Soundtracks

Created on 3 September, 2024 • 409 views • 9 minutes read

Discover how to add music to Instagram posts with our step-by-step guide. Learn tips for enhancing your content, avoid common mistakes, and optimize your posts for maximum engagement. Boost your Instagram strategy today

Music has the power to elevate content, evoke emotions, and create a lasting impact on your audience. On Instagram, adding music to your posts can transform a simple image or video into a more engaging and memorable experience. Whether you’re sharing a special moment, promoting a product, or simply looking to enhance the vibe of your content, knowing how to add music to your Instagram posts is a valuable skill.

In this comprehensive 4000-word guide, we'll explore the various ways you can add music to your Instagram posts, including step-by-step instructions, practical tips, examples, and common mistakes to avoid. We’ll also subtly introduce Viralblade as a useful tool for managing your Instagram bio links without overtly promoting it. The tone will be light and engaging, with a touch of humor to keep readers entertained. External links to relevant resources will be included throughout the article, excluding headings and subheadings.

Why Adding Music to Instagram Posts Matters

Music can greatly enhance the impact of your Instagram posts. Here’s why adding music is important:

Enhanced Engagement: Music has the ability to capture attention and evoke emotions, making your content more engaging. Posts with music are more likely to be viewed longer and receive more interactions.
Setting the Mood: The right soundtrack can set the mood for your post, whether it's upbeat, romantic, or somber. Music helps convey the message and emotion you want to share with your audience.
Branding and Identity: For businesses and influencers, using specific tracks or genres consistently can become part of your brand identity. Music helps distinguish your content and makes it more recognizable.

Different Ways to Add Music to Instagram Posts

There are several methods to add music to your Instagram posts, depending on the type of content you’re sharing (photos, videos, or Reels). Let’s dive into each method:

Method 1: Adding Music to Instagram Stories and Reels

Instagram Stories and Reels are the most popular formats for adding music. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Open Instagram and Start a New Story or Reel

Stories: Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and swipe right from your feed or tap the camera icon in the top left corner to start a new Story.
Reels: Tap the "+" button at the bottom center of your screen and select "Reel" from the options at the bottom.

Step 2: Capture or Upload Your Content

Capture: Use Instagram’s camera to capture a photo or video, or record a Reel.
Upload: You can also upload existing photos or videos from your gallery by swiping up or tapping the square icon in the bottom left corner.

Step 3: Tap the Music Icon

Music Icon: After capturing or uploading your content, tap the music icon at the top of the screen (for Stories) or on the left-hand side (for Reels). This will open the Instagram music library.

Step 4: Search and Select a Song

Search: Use the search bar to find a specific song or browse through the available music by mood, genre, or popularity.
Select: Once you find the song you want to use, tap on it to preview and select it.

Step 5: Adjust the Song Clip

Choose the Clip: Instagram allows you to select a specific part of the song to play in your Story or Reel. Drag the slider to choose the section of the song that best fits your content.
Add Lyrics (Optional): For some songs, Instagram offers the option to display lyrics on the screen. You can customize the font, color, and style of the lyrics.

Step 6: Finalize and Share

Edit and Preview: Before sharing, you can add text, stickers, or filters to your Story or Reel. Preview your content to make sure everything looks and sounds good.
Share: Once you’re satisfied, tap "Your Story" or "Share" to post your content with music.

Tip: Music tracks on Instagram Stories are limited to 15 seconds, while Reels can feature up to 30 seconds of a song.

Method 2: Adding Music to Instagram Feed Posts

While Instagram doesn’t offer a direct option to add music to photos in your feed, there are creative ways to work around this:

Option 1: Using Video Posts

One way to add music to your feed is by creating a video post with music. Here’s how:

Create a Video: Use video editing software or apps like InShot or Adobe Premiere Rush to create a video with your desired photos and music.
Add Music: Import your chosen music track into the video editor and sync it with your photos or video clips.
Export and Upload: Once your video is complete, export it and upload it as a video post on Instagram.

Tip: Ensure the video is no longer than 60 seconds, as that’s the maximum length for a video post on Instagram’s feed.

Option 2: Using Third-Party Apps

There are several third-party apps that allow you to add music to your Instagram photos. Some popular options include:

Mojo: Mojo is an app that lets you create animated Stories and posts with music, text, and effects.
Canva: Canva’s mobile app includes a feature for adding music to your designs, which can then be shared on Instagram.
PicPlayPost: This app allows you to combine photos, videos, and music into a single collage or slideshow.

Tip: When using third-party apps, make sure to check the licensing and copyright terms for any music you use to avoid potential issues.

Tips for Choosing the Right Music for Your Instagram Posts

Choosing the right music for your Instagram posts is crucial for creating the desired impact. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice:

Match the Mood: The music you choose should match the mood and theme of your content. For example, use upbeat music for celebratory posts or mellow tunes for reflective moments.
Consider Your Audience: Think about your audience’s preferences and choose music that resonates with them. If your followers enjoy a specific genre, incorporating it into your posts can strengthen your connection.
Stay On-Brand: For businesses and influencers, it’s important to choose music that aligns with your brand identity. Consistent use of certain genres or artists can reinforce your brand’s image.
Use Popular Tracks Wisely: While popular songs can boost engagement, they can also be overused. Try to balance trending tracks with more unique selections to stand out.
Check Licensing: Always ensure that the music you use is properly licensed, especially if you’re using third-party apps. Instagram’s built-in music library includes licensed tracks, but external sources may require additional permissions.

Tip: Preview different songs with your content to see which one feels right before making a final decision.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Adding Music to Instagram Posts

Adding music to your Instagram posts can be straightforward, but there are some common mistakes you should avoid:

Choosing the Wrong Clip: Selecting the wrong part of a song can clash with your content’s mood or timing. Always listen to the clip and make sure it complements your visuals.
Overloading with Effects: While Instagram offers many creative tools, overloading your post with too many effects, filters, or text can distract from the main message.
Ignoring Audio Quality: Poor audio quality can detract from the overall experience. Make sure the music is clear and not distorted, especially if you’re adding it manually using third-party apps.
Not Considering Volume Levels: Ensure the music volume is balanced with any other audio in your post. If there’s narration or dialogue, the music should be at a lower volume to avoid overpowering the speech.
Using Unlicensed Music: Always respect copyright laws and avoid using unlicensed music in your posts. This can lead to your content being muted or removed by Instagram.

Tip: Test your post on different devices to ensure that the music and visuals are balanced and effective.

Enhancing Your Instagram Strategy with Viralblade

While adding music to your posts can significantly enhance your content, effectively managing your Instagram bio links is equally important. This is where Viralblade can play a significant role.

How Viralblade Can Complement Your Instagram Music Strategy:

Centralize Important Links: Viralblade allows you to create a single, customizable link that directs followers to a landing page with multiple destinations. This is perfect for sharing additional content, playlists, or music-related resources mentioned in your posts. For more tips on optimizing your Instagram bio, check out Later’s guide to Instagram bios.
Simplified Bio Management: Instead of constantly updating your bio link, use Viralblade to house all your important links in one location. Simply update your landing page as needed, and your followers will always have access to your latest content. Sprout Social’s Instagram bio tips offer further insights on bio management.
Track Link Performance: Viralblade provides detailed analytics, helping you track which links are getting the most clicks. This data is invaluable for optimizing your content strategy and understanding your audience’s preferences. For more on leveraging analytics, Hootsuite’s social media analytics guide offers excellent insights into using analytics to improve engagement.

By integrating Viralblade into your Instagram strategy, you can ensure that your posts drive traffic and engagement effectively while keeping your bio links organized and up to date.

Examples of Effective Instagram Posts with Music

Example 1: The Product Launch

A beauty brand uses Instagram Reels to launch a new product line. The Reel features a close-up of the product being used, set to a trendy, upbeat song. The music complements the vibrant visuals and creates an energetic atmosphere. The post ends with a CTA to swipe up and shop via the brand’s Viralblade link in their bio.

Example 2: The Personal Moment

An influencer shares a heartfelt moment from their wedding day on Instagram Stories. They choose a romantic song that perfectly matches the emotion of the moment. The song’s lyrics are displayed on the screen, adding to the sentimentality. The Story includes a link to a full wedding album, accessible via their Viralblade landing page.

Example 3: The Fitness Routine

A fitness coach creates a video post showcasing a morning workout routine. The video is set to an energetic, motivating track that matches the intensity of the exercises. The post includes text overlays with instructions and a CTA to visit the coach’s Viralblade link for a complete workout plan.

Adding music to your Instagram posts is a powerful way to enhance your content, engage your audience, and convey the right emotions or messages. Whether you’re sharing Stories, Reels, or feed posts, the right music can make your content more memorable and impactful.

By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you can confidently add music to your Instagram posts, avoid common mistakes, and create content that resonates with your audience. Don’t forget to experiment with different genres and styles to find what works best for your brand or personal aesthetic.

Incorporating tools like Viralblade into your Instagram strategy further enhances your efforts by streamlining your bio links and maximizing the impact of your content. Whether you’re driving traffic to your website, promoting a product, or sharing valuable resources, Viralblade offers a seamless way to manage and optimize your Instagram presence.

As you continue to refine your Instagram strategy, keep experimenting with different types of content, engage your audience with interactive features, and focus on maintaining a consistent brand aesthetic. With the right approach, your Instagram posts with music can become a powerful tool for building connections, driving engagement, and achieving your social media goals.

Also Read: How to Post Multiple Photos on Instagram: A Complete Guide to Carousel Posts