30/04/2025
How to Add Music Instagram Story Own Custom Licensed
How to Add Music to Instagram Story: The Ultimate Guide (Including Your Own Tracks!)
Want to make your Instagram Stories more engaging? Adding music is key! Whether you want the latest chart-topper or a unique, custom track that perfectly fits your brand or creative vision, this guide covers all the methods.
We'll show you how to use Instagram's built-in music library, and crucially, how to add your *own* music or specific licensed tracks – legally and effortlessly.
Why Add Music to Your Instagram Story?
- Boost Engagement: Music captures attention and evokes emotion.
- Enhance Storytelling: Set the mood and complement your visuals.
- Show Personality: Reflect your style or brand identity.
- Stay Trendy: Use popular sounds or stand out with unique tracks.
But sometimes, the perfect song isn't in Instagram's library, or you need music for commercial use, or you simply want to use your own original song. That's where things get tricky... or used to.
Let's break down the methods:
Method 1: Using the Instagram Music Sticker (The Standard Way)
This is the most common method and great for personal accounts sharing readily available songs.
Steps:
- Open Instagram and swipe right or tap your profile picture to create a Story.
- Capture a photo or video, or upload one from your gallery.
- Tap the Sticker icon (the square smiley face) at the top.
- Select the "MUSIC" sticker.
- Search for a song, browse by genre, or check recommendations.
- Tap the song you want.
- Select the clip: Scrub through the song to choose the exact 15-second (or less, depending on your Story format) segment you want.
- Customize the look: Choose how the music sticker appears (lyrics, album art, small sticker).
- Tap "Done" and position the sticker on your Story.
- Share your Story!
Limitations of the Instagram Music Sticker:
- Limited Library: Not every song is available, especially niche or independent tracks.
- Licensing Restrictions: Music added via the sticker is generally licensed for personal, non-commercial use only. Using it for business promotion can lead to copyright issues.
- Business Account Restrictions: Some business accounts have a more limited library of royalty-free music due to licensing agreements.
- No "Own Music": You cannot upload your own audio files directly through this feature.
So, what if you need more flexibility, guaranteed legal use for business, or want to add your own song or a specific track you've licensed elsewhere?
Method 2: Adding Your Own Music, Custom Tracks, or Licensed Songs (The Pro & Creator Method)
This method gives you complete creative freedom and ensures you're legally compliant, especially for professional filmmakers, content creators, brands, and artists wanting to showcase their work. This involves adding the music to your video before uploading it to Instagram.
Step 1: Get Your Music File Ready
You need the audio file (e.g., MP3, WAV) on your phone or computer. This could be:
- Your Own Original Music: If you're a musician, export your track.
- Licensed Stock Music: Music purchased from a library that grants sync licenses for social media or commercial use.
- Exclusive Artyfile Tracks: This is where it gets exciting!
- Why Artyfile? Artyfile offers exclusive, high-quality music crafted by world-class composers and studios (like Abbey Road!). Crucially, every Artyfile track comes with full sync rights included, making it perfect and legal for Instagram Stories, films, ads, and professional content.
- Beyond Licensing - Ownership: With Artyfile Limited Editions (Music NFTs), you don't just license the music; you can own a share of the master rights and potentially earn revenue when the music is streamed or used by others. Imagine your Story's background music paying you!
- Finding Your Track: Browse the Artyfile Marketplace by genre, mood, or instrument. Purchase the track (Basic or Limited Edition) and download the high-quality WAV file.
Step 2: Add Music to Your Video Using an Editing App
Since you can't upload separate audio to Stories, you need to merge your chosen music with your video before uploading.
- Popular Mobile Apps: InShot, CapCut, Splice, VN Video Editor, Adobe Premiere Rush.
- Desktop Software: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve.
General Process (using a mobile app like CapCut as an example):
- Open the editing app and start a new project.
- Import your video clip(s) you want for your Story.
- Find the "Music" or "Audio" option in the app's toolbar.
- Select the option to add "My Music," "Imported," or browse your device's files.
- Locate the audio file you prepared in Step 1 (your own song, or your downloaded Artyfile track).
- Import the audio into the project timeline.
- Adjust the audio:
- Trim: Select the exact portion of the song you want to use.
- Volume: Adjust the music volume relative to any original video sound.
- Position: Align the music start/end points with your video.
- Review your video with the added music.
- Export the final video in a vertical format suitable for Stories (e.g., 1080x1920). Choose high quality settings. The app will save the video (with your custom music embedded) to your phone's gallery.
Step 3: Upload Your Finished Video to Instagram Stories
- Open Instagram > Create Story.
- Instead of capturing new content, swipe up to access your gallery.
- Select the video you just exported from the editing app (it already has your custom music).
- Add any other desired elements (text, stickers – but not the music sticker!).
- Share your Story!
Benefits of This Method (Especially with Artyfile):
- Use ANY Music: Add your own songs, specific licensed tracks, or exclusive Artyfile music.
- Legally Compliant: Using properly licensed music (like Artyfile's) protects you from copyright strikes, especially for business/promotional content.
- High Quality Audio: Maintain the original quality of your track.
- Full Control: Precisely edit which part of the song plays and its volume.
- Stand Out: Use unique music that isn't available to everyone via the sticker.
- (Artyfile Bonus): Potential to earn from your music choice with Artyfile Limited Editions. Your music pays your bills!
FAQ: Adding Music to Instagram Stories
A: Use Method 2: Add your song file to your video using a video editing app (like CapCut or InShot) before uploading the finished video to your Instagram Story.
A: Instagram doesn't have licensing agreements for every song ever recorded. Use Method 2 to add it if you have the necessary rights or license (e.g., via Artyfile).
A: It's risky. The standard library is primarily for personal use. Business accounts often have a more restricted "Sound Collection" of royalty-free tracks. For guaranteed legal use in commercial content, use properly licensed music via Method 2 (Artyfile provides this).
A: You, as a user, cannot directly upload songs to Instagram's general music library sticker. That library is populated through agreements with labels and distributors. To use your own music, follow Method 2. If you're an artist wanting your music officially in the library, you typically need to work with a music distributor (like DistroKid, TuneCore) who has a deal with Meta (Facebook/Instagram).
A: Music you can use without paying ongoing royalties per use. However, "royalty-free" often still requires a purchase or license upfront and may have restrictions. Instagram's Sound Collection for businesses is royalty-free within Instagram. Libraries like Artyfile offer royalty-inclusive licenses with purchase, simplifying legal use everywhere.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Stories with the Right Music
Now you know how to add any music to your Instagram Stories!
- Use the Music Sticker (Method 1) for quick, personal use of popular songs.
- Use a Video Editor (Method 2) to add your own music, custom tracks, or professionally licensed music like those from Artyfile for full creative control, legal compliance (especially for business), and unique sounds.
Ready to find exceptional, exclusive music with guaranteed licenses for your Stories and projects? Explore the Artyfile library and discover tracks that not only elevate your content but can even become an investment.
Stop searching, start creating. Find your perfect soundtrack on Artyfile today!
Ready to Find Unique Music?
Explore exclusive tracks with included licenses perfect for your Instagram Stories, films, and professional projects. Discover the Artyfile difference.