If there is one thing Instagram continues to prove, it is that sound matters. Whether you are posting stories, reels, or feed posts, the right track can make your content pop. In this blog post, we will walk you through exactly how to add your own music to an Instagram post as of mid-2025, including using music from your own library or as an artist, for maximum effect. If you prefer Reels or Stories, many of these steps also apply to those platforms, but we will focus primarily on Feed Posts.

Why You Might Want Your Own Music on Instagram

On Instagram, visuals capture attention, but audio helps build memory. The right soundtrack can instantly make your posts feel more polished, more you, and more recognizable to your audience.

  1. To brand your content uniquely, so followers recognize your style by sound.
  2. To promote your own music (if you are a creator/musician).
  3. To avoid copyright issues by using licensed or personally owned tracks.
  4. To increase engagement, posts with music tend to keep people watching or listening longer.

But you will need to navigate Instagram’s features, licensing rules, and UI updates.

What Instagram Offers: Music & Licensing Basics

  • Instagram has a licensed music library, songs cleared for use in Feed posts, Stories, Reels, etc.
  • If you are a musician/artist and want your own track to be part of Instagram’s music library (so others can browse and use it), you typically need to distribute your music using a third-party distributor that supports Instagram/Facebook (such as Ditto Music, DistroKid etc.).
  • Access to the full music catalog depends on region, account type (business/creator vs personal), licensing agreements.

How to Add Music to an Instagram Feed Post: Step by Step

Here is how the process works, given Instagram’s current UI (2025). That is because Instagram changes often, your screens may look slightly different, but the sequence is similar.

  1. Update the Instagram App
     Make sure you have the latest version from your device’s app store. Some music features only appear when the app is updated.
  2. Start a New Post
    • Open Instagram
    • Tap the + button (often at top or bottom) → select Post (Feed) rather than Reel or Story.
    • Choose the photo or video you want to post. If multiple, select Carousel mode.
  3. Edit Visuals (Optional)
     Adjust filters, cropping, things like that. Once those are done, tap Next or whatever the UI gives you to go to the next screen.
  4. Add Music
    • On the editing/screen after selecting visuals, look for a Music icon or Add Music button. Sometimes it’s a musical note icon or labelled “Music”.
      add music to Instagram
    • Tap that → opens Instagram’s music library.
    • Browse or search for the song you want. If it’s your own track and you have distributed it, search by track name, artist, or even ISRC (for artists) to find it.
  5.  Select the Snippet / Cropping the Audio

    • Once you choose a song, pick the portion (start & end) you want to play. Many posts/photos allow just short snippets (often just a few seconds up to maybe 90 seconds depending on region / account type).
      select music duration
    • Sometimes, if you added music after writing the caption or selecting visuals, there will also be an Add Music option under the caption field.

Finalize Post Details

  • Add caption, location, tags.
  • Review how the audio aligns with your visuals (if video).
  • When everything looks good, hit Share.

 

What If It’s a Photo or Carousel of Photos?

  • You can add music under photo-carousel posts. If there are videos in the carousel, things might get muted or handled differently.
  • The music feature for carousels appears when you tap ‘Add Music’ in the edit/caption screen after selecting the media.

How to Use Your Own Music (as an Artist) in Instagram’s Library

If you want your track (your song) to appear in Instagram’s music library so others can select it, here is how:

  1. Distribute Your Music with a Service that Supports Instagram Music
     Services like Ditto Music, DistroKid, TuneCore, etc., offer distribution that places tracks in Instagram/Facebook’s music library.
  2. Make Sure Metadata is Correct
    • Title, artist name, cover art.
    • Accurate track info (dates, credits) so Instagram can approve/display it correctly.
    • Include ISRC codes if available.
  3. Wait for Distribution Processing
    • It may take several days (or weeks in some cases) before your track shows up in Instagram’s searchable music library.
    • To find your own track more reliably, use the ISRC search (if Instagram supports it in your region).
  4. Check that Your Account & Region Support the Feature
    • Sometimes the music library or uploading is restricted depending on local licensing.
    • Business accounts sometimes have a reduced selection of licensed music; personal/creator accounts may get broader access.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Problem Likely Cause Fix / Workaround
Can’t see “Add Music” option on feed post Outdated app, or feature not yet rolled out in your region or account type. Update Instagram, check in Help & Support if music is allowed in your region. Try switching account type (to creator/personal).
Your own song isn’t showing up in Instagram’s audio library Music not distributed properly, incorrect metadata/ISRC, or distributor doesn’t include Instagram. Use a distributor that supports Instagram, check metadata/ISRC, contact distributor’s support.
Music gets muted or removed later Possibly copyright/licensing issue, or using unlicensed or restricted song. Use tracks you have rights to, or those approved via Instagram’s licensed library.
Carousel with videos + music: video parts lose sound or act differently Instagram sometimes mutes or adjusts audio in mixed media posts; licensing variations. For full control, edit video + music together in editing software and post as video or Reel instead.

 

Tips & Best Practices

  • Keep clips short and catchy — especially Important when pairing music with photos or carousel posts. 
  • Match the mood — music should match the vibe of photo/video content. Mismatch can feel jarring.
  • Watch for licensing issues — always check whether a track is available in your region, and whether your account type allows its use.
  • Optimize as an artist — If you’re uploading your own song, make sure it has cover art, correct tags, release date; promote it so people search & find it.
  • Use insights — Track which posts with music vs without perform better. Use that data to plan future content. 

If you’re brainstorming Instagram Notes Ideas, try pairing your note updates or short thoughts with trending background tracks to make them stand out creatively.

Wrap up

If you are an average user, adding music to a feed post is as simple as starting a new post, choosing photo/video, tapping Add Music, picking a track or snippet and sharing. If you are an artist or musician, you’ll need to go one step further: distribute your track through a music distribution service, ensure metadata is correct, and then once the track is in Instagram’s library, it becomes usable by you and others. Im addition to adding music, you can also play with the voiceover and video with Wavel AI Video Generator. Try now.