How to Find Royalty Free Music on Instagram in 6 Steps

2024-06-12
Serra Ardem

On social media, the music you choose is so crucial it can make or break your content. Thankfully, royalty-free music provides creators with a vast library of high-quality audio that they can integrate into their content without worrying about copyright issues. These diverse and readily available tracks can significantly enhance your content’s appeal, especially in the case of Instagram Reels and Stories.

In this blog, we will share:

How to find royalty free music on Instagram step-by-step

How to find royalty free music for Instagram via external platforms

6 best practices on integrating royalty free music to your Instagram videos

Let’s get started.

How to Find Royalty Free Music on Instagram

Instagram offers a music library directly within Reels and Stories creation. While this library includes a wide range of music, it's important to understand that not all music is royalty-free.

Instagram provides music licensing for in-app use. This means you can add popular tracks to your content without worrying about copyright issues within the platform. However, if you want to use the music outside of Instagram (download it, use it in other videos), you'll need to find and use music specifically labeled as royalty-free.

A person shooting an Instagram story by using a smartphone.

Here are the steps on how to find royalty free music on Instagram:

1. Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device.

2. Tap the “+” icon, and then the camera icon on the right side of the screen.

3. Choose “Story” or “Reel”.

4. For Stories, tap the music icon (represented with a music note) on the top of the screen. For Reels, tap the “Audio” option on the left side.

5. Write “royalty free music” in the search bar to see the choices Instagram lists.

6. Tap the music you want to use and add it to your Reel and Story.

Important: While browsing music on Instagram, it’s best to choose audio that includes “royalty-free music” in its description. This will ensure you are selecting free to use music that won’t violate copyright laws. It’s even better to verify the source or visit the artist’s website to confirm the licensing terms of the audio.

How to Find Royalty Free Music via External Sources

We’ve covered how to find royalty free music on Instagram; now we will move on to how to find royalty free music for Instagram. This method is different as it involves utilizing external sources to obtain music that you can use across various platforms, including Instagram.

Let’s explore the steps on how to find royalty free music for Instagram via outside resources:

Choose a Royalty-Free Music Platform

There are many websites and services offering royalty free music libraries. Some popular ones are:

Artlist: On Artlist, you can get royalty free music for your videos by filtering out the mood, video theme, genre and instrument. The platform provides music licensing for all types of creators, ranging from Instagrammers to streamers.

Epidemic Sound: Epidemic Sound states that it has “the largest music and sound effects catalog of its kind.” By subscribing to the platform, you can use unlimited music and sound effects in your content on the biggest social media platforms.

AudioJungle: Envato Market’s AudioJungle has a vast royalty free music archive that can fit every budget and project. Every week, their staff personally hand-pick some of the best new music from their collection.

Soundstripe: Trusted by thousands of content creators, Soundstripe offers AI-powered music search and Adobe Premiere Pro extension. The platform has a sophisticated, user-friendly filtering system with more than 250 playlists.

Bensound: Bensound’s royalty free music is copyright safe, and ready to use for Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch and more. All their plans provide you with a license valid forever.

Explore the Music Library

Most platforms have robust search features that can help you find the right track. You can narrow down your options by genre, mood, keywords and popularity. Some websites also allow filtering by video length to ensure the music fits the duration of your Instagram video.

It is recommended to use a combination of search features to refine results. For example, you can search by genre and then filter by mood or video length to find the perfect match.

Plus, many platforms allow you to preview short snippets of the music before downloading. Take advantage of this feature to listen to several options before making your decision.

A pink headphone on blue and pink surface.

Check the License Agreement

License agreements are crucial documents outlining how you can use royalty-free music. The most common type is the standard license, which typically allows use in various projects, including social media content like Instagram videos. Meanwhile, an enhanced license comes with broader usage rights, such as permission for monetizing content and public broadcasting.

When making your decision, pay particular attention to restrictions that might affect your specific Instagram content. For example, some licenses require you to credit the artist or music provider in your video description. Additionally, the license might limit how you can edit the music (no significant alterations, etc.), or cover a specific geographic location (worldwide use vs. specific countries).

Subscribe and Download

When downloading the royalty-free music, you will generally see a breakdown of options.

Pricing Plan	Description
Free Trials	Lasts a week or a month to explore the library and download limited tracks for free use.
Subscription Plans	Ongoing access to the music library with different tiers and features.
Individual Licenses	Purchase a license for a specific music track.

To choose the right subscription plan, consider how often you create Instagram content and how many music tracks you typically use per video. Also make sure you research different platforms and compare subscription costs, download limits, and any additional features. If you’re unsure of your needs, begin with a more affordable plan and upgrade later if required.

Once you’ve chosen your subscription plan, the downloading process can vary slightly depending on the platform. Generally, you’ll find the download option associated with each track. Clicking the download button will initiate the process, and the music file will be saved to your computer in a designated format (often MP3).

A man at a cafe working on his laptop and using his smartphone.

Add the Music to Your Content

Now you can import the royalty-free music to the video editing software you use. The imported music track will typically appear on the timeline of the software. For positioning, you can drag and drop it at the desired part of your video.

Many editing programs offer various export options. Choose an output format compatible with Instagram (typically MP4) and adjust the video resolution and quality settings as needed.

Before uploading your video to Instagram, take the time to preview it to ensure the music is synced correctly and sounds good with the video.

Adding Royalty-Free Music to Instagram Videos: Best Practices

Until now, we’ve shared step-by-step instructions on how to find royalty free music on Instagram and via external platforms. Before concluding our blog, we want to emphasize 6 best practices for incorporating music into your Instagram content. The following tips will help you create captivating videos that stay clear of copyright issues.

Give respect, get results. It’s a good practice to credit the artist who created the music you use, even if it's royalty-free. This shows respect for their work and fosters a positive online community.

Music can make or break your content. Think about the mood you want to create (upbeat, calming, etc.) and choose a genre that complements your visuals. Keep in mind Instagram's length limitations and opt for shorter, impactful pieces.

Strike the right balance. The royalty-free music shouldn’t overpower the message in your video. Aim for a harmonious blend where the music enhances the visuals without distracting viewers from the main content.

Timing and editing matters. Pay attention to the rhythm and edit your video to match the flow of the royalty-free music. Consider placing key moments of your video in sync with the music's peaks for maximum impact.

Leverage trends. Explore the Instagram music library and popular Reels songs to see what sounds are resonating with audiences. Using trending royalty-free music can help your content gain visibility and engagement.

Test and analyze regularly. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different music options. Analyze Instagram insights to understand what your audience responds to best.

One final tip: Just as important as music, subtitles are essential for making your Instagram content truly impactful. They will allow viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing to understand your message, and cater to those who might be watching with the sound off in a public setting. You can use Maestra’s AI Subtitle Generator to effortlessly add subtitles to your Instagram videos in 125+ languages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can royalty-free music be free?

The terms "royalty-free" and "free" can be confusing when it comes to music. Royalty-free means you pay once to use the music as many times as you want. Meanwhile, free music refers to songs or pieces you can use without paying anything at all, but there might be restrictions on how to use them. There are instances where you can find royalty-free music offered for free but keep in mind that these often come with limitations.

Is royalty-free music copyright free?

No, royalty-free music is not copyright free. A royalty-free license grants you permission to use the music in a specific way (e.g. in an Instagram video) without paying royalties each time. On the other hand, copyright-free music refers to music that is not protected by copyright at all. There are no restrictions on how you can use the music, and no payment is required. However, finding truly copyright-free music can be challenging, whereas royalty-free music is more readily available for various uses.

Can I use 30 seconds of copyrighted music on Instagram?

No, as even 30 seconds of copyrighted music can lead to copyright infringement issues. It can result in your post being muted, blocked, or even removed by Instagram. To avoid these problems, consider using Instagram’s licensed music library or obtaining permission from the copyright holder.

Why is Instagram music not working?

This might happen due to several reasons. It could be a simple issue like weak internet connection, an outdated app, or cache problems. Additionally, sometimes business accounts may face restrictions on music usage because of different licensing rules. Switching to a personal or creator account might help.

How do I find trending audio on Instagram?

You can find trending audio on Instagram by navigating to the app’s Reels section (for personal accounts) or “Professional Dashboard” (for professional accounts). However, as of June 2024, the feature is only available in the US and on the Instagram mobile app. Feel free to check Instagram’s Help Center for instructions.

Conclusion

This blog guided you on how to find royalty free music on Instagram, and for Instagram via external sources. It also highlighted important considerations when integrating royalty-free tracks into your Instagram content.

Looking ahead, we can expect AI-powered recommendations and even more diverse libraries when it comes to royalty-free music. Besides staying informed about these developments, make sure you always prioritize the ethical use of creative resources. This will demonstrate respect for artists and a commitment to responsible content creation.

About Serra Ardem

Serra Ardem is a freelance writer and editor based in Istanbul. For the last 8 years, she has been collaborating with brands and businesses to tell their unique story and develop their verbal identity.