How to Get Your Music on Instagram Stories and Reels
Learn how to get your music into Instagram Stories and Reels using distributors, optimized metadata, and rights clearance for maximum reach.
How to Get Your Music on Instagram Stories and Reels
If you’re an independent artist, producer, or label, knowing how to get your music on Instagram Stories and Reels is essential for expanding your digital reach. Instagram’s massive audience, along with its integrated music library, allows creators and followers to discover, use, and share your tracks directly within their posts. This means more organic promotion, more user-generated content featuring your work, and more opportunities to grow your fan base.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to get your music placed in Instagram’s searchable library — from choosing the right distributor, preparing your audio and metadata, securing proper licensing, to launching a promotional push once your track is live.
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Understanding Instagram’s Music Integration
Instagram integrates licensed tracks across multiple features:
- Stories – Add music using the “Music” sticker for up to 15 seconds.
- Reels – Select songs to soundtrack short-form videos, similar to TikTok.
- Feed & Posts – Attach audio to static images, carousels, or certain video posts.
When your music is delivered to Instagram’s library, anyone can find it via the in-app search by entering the song title, artist name, or related keywords. This fosters organic sharing and trending opportunities.
Important: Simply uploading an MP3 to your profile or posting a video with background music won’t make that track available via the music sticker — official distribution is required.
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Choose a Music Distributor That Connects to Instagram’s Library
The most important step in getting your music onto Instagram is selecting a digital music distributor that partners with Meta (owner of Instagram and Facebook). These companies deliver your music to the app’s searchable library:
- DistroKid
- TuneCore
- CD Baby
- Ditto Music
- Amuse
Features to Consider
When selecting your distributor, compare pricing, delivery options, and payout terms:
| Distributor | Pricing Model | Instagram Delivery | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKid | Annual Subscription | Yes | Monthly |
| TuneCore | Per Release / Annual | Yes | Weekly |
| CD Baby | One-Time Fee | Yes | Weekly |
Choosing a distributor with strong reporting and fast payouts can help you reinvest in your promotional campaigns faster.
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Prepare Your Audio Files
Before uploading, ensure your track meets the distributor’s technical requirements:
- Preferred: WAV file (16- or 24-bit, 44.1kHz)
- Alternative: MP3 at 320kbps if WAV isn’t available
- Fully mastered and balanced audio levels
- Remove unnecessary silence at the start/end
Since Instagram showcases only brief segments of your track, ensure the beginning is compelling — your hook should be quickly identifiable in the snippet.
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Create Accurate and Optimized Metadata
Metadata directly impacts your song’s discoverability. Make sure:
- Song Title – Spelled exactly as intended, no unnecessary symbols
- Artist Name – Matches across all platforms for brand consistency
- Genre – Correctly tags your style for search and playlist relevance
- ISRC – Unique code for tracking sales/usage
- Release Date – Accurate and planned strategically for promotion
SEO Tip
If your artist or track name naturally includes descriptive keywords, they can aid visibility in search without breaking distributor guidelines. Avoid keyword stuffing.
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Ensure Rights and Licensing Are Cleared
Instagram — via your distributor — will reject music without proper rights clearance:
- No unlicensed samples
- No unauthorized remixes or instrumental versions
- Samples must be legally cleared or sourced from royalty-free material with commercial use rights
If you’re sharing ownership, ensure written agreements clarify who can authorize distribution.
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Upload Your Track to the Distributor
When uploading:
- Provide audio files meeting technical specs
- Enter all metadata accurately
- Attach high-resolution cover art (3000x3000px)
- Confirm licensing and rights
- Select Instagram and Facebook as target stores/platforms
- Ensure all geographical territories are enabled to avoid restrictions
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Wait for Approval and Delivery
Distributors typically process and deliver to Instagram within 3–14 days. Factors affecting speed include:
- Chosen release date
- Internal processing queues
- Any issues with files or metadata
If delays occur, check your distributor’s dashboard and support documentation.
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Test Your Song on Instagram
After confirmation from your distributor:
- For Stories:
- Create a Story post, add a visual
- Tap the Music sticker
- Search for your song title or artist name
- For Reels:
- Open Reel creation
- Tap Audio
- Search for your track
If your music isn’t appearing after the expected timeframe, contact your distributor with your ISRC and release details.
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Promote Your Track Once Live
Go beyond simply announcing its availability. Strategies include:
- Creating engaging Reels using the track
- Sharing Stories demonstrating how fans can add your song
- Starting a hashtag or visual trend tied to your track
- Hosting live Q&A sessions with fans and playing samples
The aim is to encourage organic use of your audio by other creators.
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Collaborate With Relevant Influencers
Strategic partnerships can amplify reach:
- Offer influencers or creators advance access to your song
- Co-create engaging content featuring your music
- Encourage their audience to participate in challenges or trends
Work with those whose audience aligns with your style to maximize impact.
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Monitor Usage and Engagement
To measure your track’s performance on Instagram:
- Track mentions, tags, and shares
- Monitor Reel views and engagement metrics
- Review distributor reports for earnings and usage patterns
Use these insights to inform your next promotional push or content plan.
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Keep Metadata Current
If you spot errors in your listing (e.g., wrong title, misspelled artist name), request an update from your distributor promptly. Consistency in naming ensures that your audience can always find and use your tracks.
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Summary and Next Steps
Having your music available through Instagram Stories and Reels unlocks a vast audience and fuels organic, fan-driven promotion. The essential steps include:
- Choosing a distributor with Instagram delivery
- Preparing quality audio and accurate metadata
- Securing rights and licenses
- Uploading your track with Instagram/Facebook selected
- Promoting creatively to encourage user adoption
Ready to get your music into the hands — and Stories — of millions? Start by securing the right distributor today, and position your next release to trend across Reels and beyond.
