How to Add Music to Instagram Stories in 2024: Quick Steps for Engaging Content

Adding music to your Instagram stories is a great way to enhance the emotional impact of your content and engage with your audience on a different level. Instagram provides users with a seamless way to incorporate a soundtrack to their stories, enabling you to share not just the visuals but also the vibes you're feeling. With a vast library of songs at your fingertips, you can find a track that perfectly matches the mood of your photo or video.

When you decide to jazz up your Instagram story with some tunes, the process is straightforward. Whether you're using an iPhone or any other smartphone, the steps are largely the same, ensuring that anyone can add a personal flair to their stories with minimal fuss. All you need to do is start by creating your Instagram story, and the platform takes care of the rest by offering an intuitive selection of music options.

Navigating through the music addition feature doesn't take much learning curve. After capturing or uploading your content to your story, tapping the sticker icon brings up the music sticker, among other interactive features. From there, you can browse or search for a song, preview it to make sure it's the right fit, and then add it to your story, where you can adjust the specific clip that plays in the background. It’s a simple but powerful way to make your stories stand out.

Why Add Music to Your Instagram Stories & Posts?

Incorporating music into your Instagram Stories and posts can elevate your content's appeal, fostering a more engaging experience for your followers. It's a strategic move to boost engagement rates as music can resonate with users, prompting them to spend more time viewing your story or post.

Music sets a mood or tone, allowing you to communicate emotions that visuals alone might not convey. This audio-visual blend not only grabs attention but also makes your content more memorable. Here's how adding music can benefit your Instagram strategy:

• Enhances Storytelling: Adding a song can underscore the message or theme of your story, creating a narrative thread that connects with your audience.

• Reinforces Brand Identity: Music choices can reflect your brand's personality and values, which may strengthen brand recognition and loyalty among your followers.

• Leverages Trends: Staying on top of current musical trends can show that your brand is relevant and in tune with popular culture, which can be particularly appealing to younger demographics on social media platforms.

• Encourages Interactions: An upbeat or popular song might prompt followers to share your story, adding to its virality and increasing visibility.

To truly stand out on a crowded platform like Instagram, consider how a well-chosen song can complement your imagery, and remember the importance of aligning the track with the content and message you are trying to share.

How To Add Music to Instagram Stories

Adding music to your Instagram Stories can significantly enhance the viewing experience for your followers. In just a few steps, you can share engaging content with your preferred soundtrack playing in the background. This guide will walk you through the process from start to finish.

Access the Stories Camera

To begin adding music to your Instagram Story, open the Instagram app on your smartphone. Swipe right or tap the camera icon in the top-left corner to access the Stories camera. From here, you're ready to capture new content or upload an existing photo or video from your device.

Create Your Content

Capture a new photo or video by pressing the circle at the bottom of the screen, or upload existing media by tapping the gallery icon in the bottom left corner. Utilize Instagram's filters and effects to enhance your content before moving to the next step.

Select the Music Sticker

Once you are satisfied with your image or video, tap the sticker icon (which looks like a square smiley face) at the top of the screen. From the sticker tray that appears, find and select the music sticker to add a song to your Story.

Search and Select a Song

With the music sticker selected, a library of songs will appear. You have the option to browse through a list of popular tracks, or you can use the search bar to find a specific song or artist. Preview the audio by tapping on it. When you find the song you want, select it to proceed.

Customize Music Sticker Appearance

After selecting a song, you will have options to change the appearance of the music sticker. Some choices include displaying song lyrics, the album cover, or a simple music note icon. Select the preferred style which will appear on your Story with the music.

Resize and Place Your Music Sticker

You can resize your music sticker by pinching it with two fingers and adjusting to your desired size. Drag the sticker to place it wherever you want it to appear on your screen.

Finalize Your Music Choice

Once you have customized the sticker, choose the segment of the song that best fits your content by scrolling through the audio snippet. Adjust the volume as needed so it doesn't overpower your original audio. When you're happy with your selection, tap the share icon to add it to your Story or send it to specific users.

How to Add Music to an Instagram Story with Spotify

Adding a music track from Spotify to your Instagram story can enhance the experience for your viewers. Here’s how you can share your favorite tunes on your story in a few easy steps:

1. Open Spotify: Launch the Spotify app on your device and navigate to the song, album, or artist you wish to share.

2. Select a Track: Find the music track you want to add. Once you have it, tap to begin playing the track.

3. Access Share Options: While the chosen track is playing, tap the Share icon (three dots) usually located in the upper right corner of the screen.

4. Share to Instagram: In the share menu, select 'Share to Instagram Stories'. This will redirect you to your Instagram app.

5. Customize Your Story: The cover art from the album or single will appear on your Instagram story screen along with the sticker that says 'Play on Spotify'. Before posting, you can move the sticker and cover art around, add text, or use drawing tools to personalize your story.

6. Post Your Story: Once you're happy with the customization, tap on "Your Story" at the bottom of the screen to share it with your followers. When viewers watch your story, they can tap on the sticker and get an option to listen to the full song on Spotify, the leading music streaming platform.

Remember, to share directly from Spotify to Instagram, your accounts should be connected or the apps should allow sharing between them. This integration creates a seamless way for your followers to experience the music you share without leaving the Instagram app.

How to Add Your Own Music to Your Instagram Story

Adding your own music to an Instagram story is a great way to personalize your content and showcase your favorite tunes or even your own audio creations. Whether you’re using an iOS or Android device, the process is user-friendly.

Before You Start: Make sure the music or audio you want to add is already on your device. If you’re an artist, it could be your own track; if you’re a fan, it might be a file from your favorite album. Ensure that you have the rights or permission to share the music if it's not your own.

Steps for Adding Your Own Music:

1. Capture or Import Your Video:

   • Open the Instagram app and swipe right to access the Stories camera.
   • Record a new video or swipe up to select one from your camera roll.

2. Access the Music Feature:

   • Tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen.
   • Select the 'Music' sticker.

3. Choose Your Music:

   • On an iOS device, tap 'Your Library' at the bottom of the music screen.
   • On an Android, you might need to navigate to the 'Audio' tab.

4. Upload the Audio File:

   • Browse your device for the audio file and select it.
   • Play the track and choose the exact part you want to feature in your story.

5. Customize the Display:

   • Once added, you can choose how you'd like the music to display: with album art, lyrics, or a simple sticker.
   • Drag and position it over your video.

If you have a business account, using tracks that you own or have the rights to use is especially crucial to avoid copyright issues. For music from streaming services like Apple Music or SoundCloud, choose the 'Play on SoundCloud' option or equivalent in your music streaming app to link back to the full track or album.

Top Best Songs for Instagram Story in 2023

When selecting the perfect tune for your Instagram stories in 2023, consider the trending hits that encapsulated the vibe of the year. The genre and artist of a song are pivotal in setting the right mood for your content. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top song choices that dominated Instagram stories throughout the year:

Trending Pop Hits

• "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus: Dominated as a breakup anthem with its empowering lyrics and catchy melody.
• "As It Was" by Harry Styles: Provided a nostalgic feel that resonated well with a wide audience.

Dance and Electronic Grooves

• "Heat Waves" by Glass Animals: This track continued to be a favorite with its hypnotic beat ideal for lively and upbeat stories.

Hip-Hop and Rap

• Tracks by artists like Drake and Doja Cat: Kept the energy high with their rhythmic flows and engaging hooks.

Here's a quick list to keep on hand for your stories:

For an uplifting vibe:

• "Stay" - The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber
• "Levitating" - Dua Lipa

For a chill mood:

• "Peaches" - Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar & Giveon

When choosing a song, think about the specific people or the vibe you want to share with your followers. Align your music choice to the trend you're showcasing—be it fashion, food, or travel—to create a cohesive narrative in your story. Remember, the right track can significantly enhance the engagement and emotive response to your visual content.

Can I Add Multiple Songs to a Single Instagram Story?

Instagram Stories have evolved to allow you creative freedom in how you share content, including the audio that accompanies your visuals. While Instagram inherently doesn't support adding multiple songs to a single story directly, you can create a mix of songs using third-party apps before uploading.

Your Story's Duration & Music: Each Instagram Story is limited to 15 seconds per segment. Traditionally, you can add only one song to play within this duration directly through Instagram. To include multiple songs, you'll have to customize your story outside of the app.

Creating a Custom Mix:

• Step 1: Use a video editing app to create a 15-second clip with your chosen songs overlaid. The songs should transition smoothly to avoid abrupt cuts.
• Step 2: Export this edited video and ensure the total duration aligns with the Instagram Story limit.
• Step 3: Upload this video as your Story on Instagram from your camera roll.

Note: Keep copyright policies in mind when selecting music to avoid potential removal of your content.

Tips for a Smooth Transition:

• Blend songs with similar beats or tempos to make transitions less jarring.
• Use fade in/out effects for each song snippet to enhance the flow between tracks.

By customizing your video with multiple songs before uploading, you can create a unique and engaging audio experience for your viewers on Instagram Stories. Remember, engaging content often relies on both appealing visuals and compelling audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adding music to your Instagram Stories can greatly enhance the viewer's experience. Here's how to navigate the process smoothly and address common queries.

What are the steps to upload a song to an Instagram Story on an iPhone in 2024?

To upload a song to your Instagram Story on an iPhone, begin by creating a new story and uploading your photo or video. Tap the sticker icon, then the music sticker. Browse for a song, listen to a preview, and select the track that suits your content.

How can you incorporate your own audio into an Instagram Story?

Incorporate your own audio by recording a video with the desired sound in the background. Alternatively, upload a video with your audio beforehand. You can also use third-party editing apps to overlay your sound onto the video before uploading it to Instagram.

What is the method for adding music to an Instagram Story on a business account?

Business accounts can add music by tapping the sticker icon after creating a new story and selecting the music sticker. Browse and preview songs licensed for commercial use to ensure they comply with copyright laws, then add them to your story.

Can Spotify tracks be shared directly to an Instagram Story, and if so, how?

Yes, Spotify tracks can be shared to an Instagram Story. While playing a song on Spotify, tap 'Share' and select Instagram Stories from the share menu. The song will create a new story with a sticker that users can tap to listen on Spotify.

How to source and include current trending music into your Instagram Stories?

To find trending music, use the search function within Instagram's music sticker feature to explore popular tracks or consult curated playlists. Select a trending song from the results and add it to your Instagram Story.

What should you do if the music feature is missing on your Instagram Stories?

If the music feature is missing, first check for app updates or reinstall Instagram. If it persists, it might be a regional restriction or a temporary glitch. Wait it out, or contact Instagram support if the problem continues.