Picture this: You’ve spent hours recording a 30-second Instagram Reel, 🎬 and it takes you more hours to edit it. You see perfect lighting, smooth transitions, and a soulful soundtrack that perfectly matches your video’s vibe. ✨ Then you hit Post and wait for the likes to roll in.
Awkward silence. 🙊
Your video has been muted, and the awkward silence has replaced it. What could have caused Instagram to mute your audio? 🔇
Instagram algorithms can be ruthless about protecting copyrighted audio tracks, and you may have included one in your Instagram videos, reels, and even live videos. 📹 Has Instagram muted any of them? Don’t panic. There are ways to use music legally on Instagram and even other ways to get free alternatives. That is why we offer this guide to help you complete your creative effort with music that’s worth it.
Enters… Our Royalty-Free Music Library for Instagram
Worrying about copyrighted music for Instagram can be a past inconvenience with our royalty-free music library. 🆓 Grum offers a collection of over 4000 copyright-free songs available to Instagram users and content creators. 🤳 The library gives you 100% assurance against copyright issues. And it is completely free. Try the royalty-free music library now.
Skip To: How To Use Copyrighted Music on Instagram
How Does Music Copyright Work?
Copyright is a legal right that allows the original creators of creative works exclusive rights to use and distribute their works. ✍️ Copyright ensures that others can’t copy someone’s work and reap the benefits without the original creator’s consent. It covers creative works like book publications, motion pictures, photographs, music, and many others.
With copyright, ©️ it is easier for creators to profit from their work. Others who may need to use such works for personal and commercial benefits will either have to buy them or seek the creator’s permission to do so.
Instagram’s Policies on Using Music
Instagram does not joke about copyright infringements and spends a lot of resources to identify them. That is why they provide clear guidelines to help Instagram content creators and users enjoy the platform without landing on legal issues relating to copyrights.
Instagram’s policies prohibit the use of copyrighted music without proper licensing. 🔐 The Instagram algorithms can detect copyrighted audio that users include in their content.
Instagram policies on music copyright vary by content type, account type, and even geographical region. 🌍
Instagram Music Copyright Policy for Content Types
Although originally for photography, Instagram offers different content forms that allow you to use music. 🎶 These include stories, reels, longer videos for IGTV, and Instagram live sessions.
- Instagram Stories: Instagram allows users to enjoy unlimited use of its in-app music library in their stories. 📱 You can add popular tracks from the built-in library to your stories without fear of violation. Stories are maxed at 60 seconds, so you are unlikely to play a full track in them.
- Instagram Reels: Reels are usually short videos between 15 and 90 seconds. 🕒 You can add audio either uploaded or from the Instagram music library to your reels. When you add other creators’ audio, the audio is attributed to them. Likewise, Instagram attributes your original audio to you. Generally, there should be visual elements that the audio accompanies if you are using licensed music. If you don’t have visuals, you can quickly generate some art with AI. 🤖 The post should not be mainly the music but can be accompanied by the music for the short length of the reel.
- Instagram Photos: You can add any in-app library music to your Instagram photo posts. 📱Since the Instagram music library songs are royalty-free for use within Instagram, you have nothing to worry about.
- Music Performance: You can post videos of original music owners like musicians and live bands with their music. As long as the videos feature the rightful owners performing their music, you do not risk violating the Instagram copyrighted music policy. ℹ️
- Longer Videos (IGTV): Stricter rules apply to using copyrighted music on IGTV videos. IGTV videos can be up to 60 minutes long when you upload from the web and 15 minutes when you upload from mobile. Even if you use a licensed track from the library, you’re likely to face actions from Instagram, especially with full-length music tracks. Therefore, it is best to limit the use of copyrighted music to just a few seconds.
- Live Videos: Instagram scans live videos in real time, and violators risk immediate interruption. Avoid playing copyrighted music entirely, whether in the Instagram built-in music library or not.
Instagram Music Copyright Policy on Account Types
Business/creator accounts face tighter restrictions, especially for ads and branded content. 🛒 Tracks can’t be used in adverts unless explicitly stated. Business accounts will likely need a direct license to use copyrighted music for commercial purposes. Personal accounts, on the other hand, can enjoy more freedom and use more built-in library music. However, they must adhere to the policies on each type of content to avoid restrictions. ⚠️
Instagram Copyrighted Music Policy by Region
Licensing agreements vary by country. 🌍 A song available in the U.S. library might be unavailable in Germany. If you use music that is unavailable for use in your region, your content audio can be restricted. Additionally, you cannot remix or speed up/slow down tracks even if they are available in your region. This action can trigger copyright flags. 🚩
What Are the Consequences of Violating Instagram’s Music Copyright Policies?
Whether you are aware of the rules or not, there are set consequences for flouting them. Instagram has explicitly stated these on its policy page.
So, if you use copyrighted music in any of the wrong ways, according to Instagram, what happens? 🤔 Any of the following outcomes could play:
1. Muted Audio
Instagram can mute your post’s audio, which is the most lenient consequence. Instagram replaces your chosen track with a robotic message: “This audio isn’t available.” Your viewers can see your post, but the music and whatever effects it adds to your posts are replaced with complete silence. This can cause your engagement to plummet. 😩 Wonder why your Reels engagement rates are dropping? It could be caused by muted audio, among other things.
2. Post Removal
Post-removal is a step up from muted audio. Repeated violations of the music copyright policy lead to deleted posts. 🗑️ Your posts that contain such violations could just be completely gone from the platform.
3. Account Suspension
Account suspension comes in the case of severe or repeated offenses. For instance, using music in ads without licenses can lead to account bans. ❌ This can affect your overall credibility, even if you have backup accounts.
4. Legal Action
Rights holders can sue for damages, and this is more likely for unlicensed music in sponsored posts. The unlicensed use of copyrighted music for commercial reasons can attract stiffer consequences. Even if Instagram misses it, which is highly unlikely, the copyright holder can press charges. 💳
5. Monetization Loss
Strikes can disqualify you from Instagram monetization programs. For instance, you lose your monetization perks if your Reels contain violations of the copyright policy. ⚖️
How to Use Copyrighted Music on Instagram
1. Use Instagram Music Library
Instagram provides a built-in music library with a selection of licensed tracks for use in Stories and Reels. 🎬 This library simplifies the process by providing pre-licensed music. 🎶 This allows users to add soundtracks to their content without requiring other licensing.
Simply tap the music sticker or icon within the creation tools. 🪄 You can then browse or search for songs and select specific clips. However, the Instagram built-in music library has limitations. It’s designed for short-form, non-commercial content only. Moreover, it may not include every song you want. 💁 However, using music from this library is legally safe within the Instagram platform.
2. Get Permission/Licensing
You’ll need to get licenses from the copyright holders to have the legal right to use copyrighted music on Instagram. The process often requires getting two key licenses: a synchronization license and a master use license. 🪪
The synchronization license grants permission to synchronize the music with visual content. 🌄 The master use license lets you use the specific sound recording. You can get these from the music publisher or the record label. 🏷 You can use music licensing platforms like Songtradr, Musicbed, or the Harry Fox Agency.
3. Double-Check Licensing for Commercial Use.
Instagram distinguishes between personal and business accounts, and the rules for music usage are stricter for commercial content. 💵 Business accounts, brands, and influencers engaged in marketing or promotional activities must be extra cautious. Commercial use includes sponsored posts and product promotions. 📢 For business accounts, obtaining proper licenses or using royalty-free music in all commercial content is best.
Free and Legal Music Alternatives
Using copyrighted music on Instagram can be tricky, 🤦♂️ especially for commercial users. But there are alternatives if you are seeking royalty-free music for your content. Here are some ways to access amazing music for your posts without risking your account.
1. Royalty-Free Music Libraries
Royalty-free music differs from copyrighted music in that you can use it for commercial purposes without necessarily paying for it. Our Royalty-Free Music for Instagram stands out with over 4,000 tracks you can use for personal and business accounts. 👨🏻💼 Other free options like YouTube Audio Library and Pixabay are also worth exploring. Below are a few platforms offering royalty-free music you can legally use for your online content. 📱
Grum Royalty-Free Music for Instagram
Our royalty-free library is built specifically for Instagram creators. This free platform is one of many free Instagram tools we offer to Instagram users. The library features over 4000 music tracks that you can download with a single click. ☝️ In addition, you can browse through our royalty-free music library with no login required.
Have a song in mind? You can search for it on the royalty-free music for Instagram tool. You can also filter through the available songs by genre and mood. Genres include classical, country, EDM, Indie, Jazz, R&B, and many more. You can find songs by moods like chill. Cinematic, fantasy, sad, upbeat, etc.
Pixabay
Pixabay’s music section is a goldmine for free, no-attention-needed tracks. Everything’s under the Pixabay License. You can use the songs for Instagram Reels or Stories without worrying about copyright strikes. ⛔️
SoundStripe
SoundStripe is a paid subscription service with unlimited royalty-free music. Their Instagram-ready tracks cover trendy genres. Plus, their licenses cover commercial use forever. ⏳
SoundCloud
SoundCloud’s Creative Commons section lets you filter tracks that are free to use. Many indie artists allow Instagram use if you credit them or tag them in your posts. However, you must double-check licenses, as some tracks are for non-commercial use only.
2. Creative Commons Music
Creative Commons (CC) music lets artists share their work under specific terms. Licenses range from CC BY, which requires crediting the creator, to CC BY-NC (non-commercial use only) and CC BY-ND (no edits allowed). For instance, a lifestyle vlogger might use a CC BY track from SoundCloud, adding “Music by @Artist” in their caption. However, skipping attribution or using a non-commercial track in an ad can lead to penalties, so always review license details. 🧐
3. Public Domain Music
Public domain music refers to songs with expired copyright. This is mostly for songs whose creators have been dead for 70+ years. Works from composers like Beethoven or Chopin fall into this category, and you can find them on sites like MusOpen and Project Gutenberg. However, you still have to be cautious. While the composition itself may be free to use, modern recordings of it are often copyrighted. For example, Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” is public-domain music. But a 2023 orchestra’s rendition of the song is not in the public domain and cannot be used without proper licensing or attribution. Always verify the recording’s copyright status to avoid unintended violations. 🛑
4. Original Music Creation
Ever considered creating your own music? 🎸 It is a safe way to ensure you are not caught in the copyright law web. Tools like GarageBand, Beethoven, Waveform, or web-based Soundtrap are easy to use for this. There are also AI tools that can generate original soundtracks for you in seconds. Some of these include AIVA, Google MusicFX, Loudly, Soundraw, Boomy, etc. If you’re a music artist yourself, take this as a chance to boost your reach. You could even buy Instagram views so your music reaches more people. 👱🏻♂️
How to Check if a Song Is Copyrighted
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t provide a direct way to look up copyrighted songs. However, you can combine various methods to minimize your risk. ⚠️
Understand the Basics
Assume most commercially released music is copyrighted. Unless it’s explicitly stated to be in the public domain or under a Creative Commons license that allows your specific use, it’s safer to presume it’s protected. 🛡
Songs on Spotify, Apple Music, or Billboard charts are 99% copyrighted. Probable exceptions may be classical music, e.g., Beethoven. However, modern recordings of it may still have rights. 👩🏼⚖️
Use Instagram’s Music Library
If a song is available within Instagram’s built-in music library, it’s generally safe to use for personal, non-commercial content within the platform. This means that Instagram has already licensed the music for use within its platform.
If a song isn’t available in the library, you’ll need to get permission to use it. 🤝
Research Online
Search online for information about the song and its copyright holders. Websites like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC offer information on music ownership. 📜
Additionally, if an artist is a major label artist, their music is most certainly copyrighted. ⚖️
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why do some users use copyrighted music without issues?
Using copyrighted music doesn’t always lead to immediate consequences like video removal or muting, which is why you might occasionally come across content that uses copyrighted tracks without any visible issues. However, we strongly advise against this practice, as the risks far outweigh the potential benefits. 🎁 Copyright violations can do more than just take down a post—they can also negatively impact your account’s overall health and reach.
2. Can I add music to an Instagram post?
Yes, you can add music to Instagram posts that are Reels and Stories. You can use the in-app music library to add music to Stories and Reels. However, standard feed posts do not allow the direct inclusion of music from the library. 📚
3. Can I use copyrighted music on Instagram?
Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your video being muted or removed. Your account may also receive strikes for the violation. ⚠️
4. Can I use just 10 seconds of a copyrighted song?
No, not without permission. ✅ Even short clips of copyrighted music can infringe on copyright. There’s no magic number of seconds that makes it okay to use copyrighted music without a license. Instagram’s algorithms and copyright holders can still detect and take action against short clips.
5. Can I play music on Instagram Live?
Yes. You can play music on Instagram Live, but not without licensing. You can choose a licensed song from the built-in library. However, copyrighted songs that are not licensed for Instagram may attract penalties. 🚨
6. What music can I use on Instagram?
You can use music from Instagram’s in-app music library or royalty-free music. You can also use music from Creative Commons, but not without proper attribution. Additionally, you can use public-domain music. 🆓
7. Can I use any music on Instagram?
No, you cannot use any music on Instagram. 📱 Copyrighted music is out of bounds to users, unless they have the owner’s permission or it is available in the built-in library.
8. Are cover songs copyrighted?
Yes, cover songs are also subject to copyright. While you might be performing your rendition, the underlying composition is still protected. You’ll need a mechanical license to record and distribute a cover song legally. If you are uploading a video of you performing a cover, it can still be taken down. 🔻
9. What if my video gets muted?
If your video gets muted, 🔕 it means Instagram’s system has detected copyrighted music. You should remove the copyrighted music or replace it with licensed or royalty-free music to avoid further action.
10. What do I do when Instagram flags my post for music copyright violations?
Firstly, double-check to be sure you have not flouted any of the rules. ℹ️ If you’ve done everything right, you can dispute the decision. The Instagram automated system that checks for violations is not 100% error-free. But with your proof, you can file a complaint. ✍️
11. What if I have permission to use a song outside the built-in library?
Save proof of licenses or Creative Commons attributions in a safe place. ✌️ If Instagram flags your post for violation, you can submit these documents. This can help you resolve disputes quickly.
Conclusion
Responsible usage of copyrighted music is the duty of a content creator. 🤳 Ignorance of the rules does not vindicate offenders, so it’s better to be aware of every Instagram rules and restrictions. However, Instagram makes it easier with its built-in music library, offering access to thousands of songs. You only need to use them the right way. Avoid using full tracks and keep your usage to a few seconds. Failing to follow the guidelines can lead to muted audio or even account bans. However, you can play it even safer with free and legal alternatives. Find royalty-free music in the Grum library and use it even for ads and other commercial content. 💵
