Ever posted a fire Instagram video but felt like something was missing? Yeah, that’s the magic of music. Adding the right background tune can turn a simple clip into something that hits different. Whether you’re making a chill aesthetic post, a vibey travel montage, or just flexing your latest outfit, music takes it to the next level.

But how do you add a song to an Instagram post? Is it the same for regular posts and Reels? And what if the song you want isn’t available? Don’t trip I got you. Here’s everything you need to know about using the Instagram audio feature to spice up your posts with music.

1. Adding music to instagram reels (The easy way)

If you’re posting a Reel, adding music is a walk in the park. Instagram literally built a whole music library for this.

Here’s how you do it:

🔹Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon to create a new post.
🔹Select Reel and upload your video (or record one right there).
🔹Tap the music note icon 🎵 on the left side.
🔹Search for a song in the Instagram Reels music library.
🔹Select the part of the song you want (Instagram lets you trim it).
🔹Hit Done and post your masterpiece.

That’s it! Your Reel now has built-in music, and you don’t have to worry about copyright issues since the tracks come straight from Instagram’s licensed library.

2. Adding music to a regular instagram post (It’s a bit different)

Unlike Reels, Instagram feed posts (photos and videos) didn’t always have a built-in music option. But in late 2022, Instagram rolled out a new audio feature for regular posts, so you can now add background music directly no third-party apps needed.

Here’s how:

🔹Tap the “+” button and select Post (for a photo or video).
🔹Upload your content and hit Next.
🔹On the next screen, look for the “Add music” option.
🔹Search for a track in the Instagram music library and pick your favorite section.
🔹Adjust the volume if needed.
🔹Post it!

Boom now your regular feed post has some background music.

3. What if the song you want isn’t on instagram?

Sometimes, Instagram’s library doesn’t have the song you want. That’s when you need to add your own music before uploading your post.

How to do It:

🔹Use a video editor to add music before uploading.
🔹Apps like InShot, CapCut, or Kosmic AI let you mix audio into your videos effortlessly.
🔹Export the video with the song embedded, then upload it to Instagram like a regular post.

Pro Tip: If you’re creating faceless videos, b-roll clips, or AI-generated content, Kosmic AI (currently in beta) is a next-level tool. It comes with an AI-powered video editor, lets you generate scripts and captions, and even has an AI voiceover feature perfect for making professional videos that stand out.

4. Can you add music to instagram stories?

Of course! Adding music to Instagram Stories is probably the easiest way to use music on Instagram.

Steps:

🔹Open Instagram and tap Your Story.
🔹Select a photo or video from your gallery.
🔹Tap the Sticker icon and select Music.
🔹Choose a song from the Instagram music library.
🔹Adjust the section of the song you want to play.
🔹Resize the music sticker if needed.
🔹Post it!

Easy as that. Your story now has vibes.

5. What about copyright? Will my post get muted?

Instagram has licensing agreements for songs in their music library, so if you add music directly through Instagram, you’re good. But if you upload a video with a copyrighted song not licensed by Instagram, there’s a chance your post could get muted or taken down.

Avoid this by:

🔹Using royalty-free music from platforms like epidemic sound, artlist, or Kosmic AI’s AI-generated music (coming soon).
🔹Checking Instagram’s music library first to see if the track is available.

If you're creating content for brands or social media clients, using licensed or royalty-free tracks is always a safe bet.

6. Bonus: Want to level up your content?

If you’re tired of basic Instagram posts and want to create pro-level content, consider using AI-powered tools to speed up your workflow.

Platforms like Kosmic AI (still in beta but evolving fast) let you.

🔹Edit videos with built-in AI tools
🔹Generate scripts for your Instagram content
🔹Create AI-generated captions & subtitles
🔹Use AI voiceovers for narration

It’s like having an entire content creation studio inside one platform. Perfect for freelancers, influencers, and video creators who want to streamline their workflow.

Final thoughts: Make your  instagram posts pop with music

Now that you know how to add a song to an Instagram post, go ahead and start experimenting. Whether you’re using Instagram’s built-in music feature or editing your video with a third-party tool, adding music is the easiest way to make your content engaging and memorable. So, next time you post, don’t leave your video hanging in silence throw on a track, set the mood, and let your content do the talking.

Got any questions? Drop them in the comments! And if you want to level up your video editing game, keep an eye on Kosmic AI it’s shaping up to be a game-changer for creators.