Imagine this: You’re scrolling through Instagram and suddenly a Reel catches your eye with an amazing song that you can’t help but play it again and again. You’re not alone in this. In fact, studies show that over 70 percent of Reels that go viral use music that’s either trending or fits the mood perfectly. Music isn’t just background noise anymore; it’s often the main reason people stop, watch, and share. But there’s a catch. Some tracks are off-limits for business accounts, and nothing is more frustrating than seeing that “audio not available in your region” alert. If you’ve run into these issues before, you’re in the right place. In this guide, you’ll discover how to find trending and free music for Instagram Reels without falling into copyright traps.
Table Of Contents
Understanding Instagram’s Music Features
Let’s clear something up right away. Instagram’s music features aren’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on the type of account you have and even where you live, your access to certain songs can be completely different. If you’ve ever opened the music tab and wondered why half the tracks your friends are using aren’t showing up, you’re not considering some things. Here’s what’s happening:
- Personal & Creator accounts: If you use a personal or creator account, you’re in luck. You get full access to Instagram’s music library inside Reels and Stories. You can browse trending songs, search for specific tracks, or explore by mood and genre.
- Business accounts: For business profiles, it’s a different story. Because of copyright and licensing restrictions, many popular tracks are unavailable. Instead, you get a smaller selection of royalty-free music. This is often the reason people think their Instagram music isn’t working, when in reality, it’s just an account limitation.
- Regional restrictions: Location plays a big role too. Some songs aren’t licensed for use in certain countries, so even if your account type is right, you still might not see all tracks.
If you want the most flexibility, especially for using Instagram Reels music, switching to a creator account is usually your best bet.
Finding Trending Music on Instagram
If you’ve been on Instagram for a while, you already know this: the music you choose can make or break a Reel. And if you’re aiming to reach more people, using trending music is a big part of the game. The thing is… trends move fast. A sound that’s everywhere today might feel tired by next week. So how do you actually keep up? Here’s what I usually do:
Start with Instagram itself
Honestly, one of the easiest ways to find trending music is to spend some time on the Reels Tab. Scroll for a few minutes and pay attention to the songs you hear repeatedly on different videos. If the same track keeps popping up, it’s probably trending at the moment. You might notice a small arrow next to the track name; this is Instagram’s way of showing that the sound is becoming popular. I always save these trending sounds to my favorites so they’re easy to find when I want to post. It’s also a great way to discover some of the best songs for Instagram Reels, since you can see which tracks are getting the most engagement in your niche.
Also there is a new button when you click on a music in a reel that you can find top 50 musics that is trending in your country. You can use them in your reel or story or you can see what other people is publishing through those videos to get idea for your next video.
Follow trend-spotting accounts
There are a bunch of creators and pages dedicated to tracking trending music for Instagram Reels. Accounts like @creators are great to follow. They’ll often post updates on what’s hot right now, so you’re not always playing catch-up.
Check Spotify (or YouTube)
I also like using Spotify’s “Viral Hits” or “Top Reels Songs” playlists. Instagram trends often overlap with what’s going viral on TikTok or Spotify, so this can give you a little head start.
Once you make this a habit, you’ll start spotting Instagram music trends almost without thinking. And if you can catch a trend early, that’s even better. That’s the moment when your Reels really have a chance to take off.
Accessing Royalty-Free and Legal Music
Using trending music is great, but sometimes it can cause problems. If you’re running a business account, working with brands, or just want to avoid copyright headaches, finding solid royalty-free music for Instagram is a smart move. I’ve learned this the hard way after having a couple of Reels muted for using the wrong track. Fortunately, there are now some really good resources available to help with this.
Why Royalty-Free Music Matters
Just because a song is blowing up on Reels doesn’t mean you can safely use it for every kind of content. Business accounts especially deal with stricter limitations around copyrighted music. If you’re promoting products, working on sponsored posts, or using Instagram for your business, royalty-free music helps you stay in the clear.
Where to Find Legal Music for Instagram
Here are a few platforms I’ve personally used (and recommend):
- Pixabay Music: 100% free, no credit needed. Great for background music on Reels or Stories.
- Soundstripe: Paid subscription, but very high quality. If you post often or want a polished sound, this is worth it.
- FreeBeats.io: Awesome for beats, especially if you’re into hip hop, trap, or modern sounds. Some tracks require attribution.
- Bensound: A solid mix of free and paid options. Just double-check each track’s license before posting.
Always Read the Fine Print
One thing I always remind creators is that royalty-free doesn’t automatically mean copyright-free. Some tracks are fine for commercial use, others might require credit, and a few are only for personal use. It’s always worth taking a minute to check the license details. Trust me, that small effort is much better than having your content muted or flagged later.
Avoiding Copyright Issues
Here’s the part that traps up a lot of people. Just because you see a song available in Instagram’s library, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe to use, especially if you’re posting for a business or promoting products. Copyright on Instagram can be a little confusing, and trust me, getting a Reel muted or taken down is frustrating. Instagram’s guidelines make a pretty clear distinction: personal use of music is generally okay, but business accounts face more restrictions. A lot of popular songs simply aren’t licensed for commercial use, even if you can technically add them to your video.
If you’re wondering how to avoid copyright on Instagram music, there are a few smart strategies. One thing that helps is keeping clips short. Instagram itself suggests using music clips sparingly, typically 15 seconds or less, since that tends to be safer. Another good habit is always checking whether you need to credit the artist or source. It only takes a moment and can help you avoid problems down the line.
And honestly, the safest option of all is to stick with royalty-free music for Instagram or tracks from Instagram’s approved library. At the end of the day, it’s worth being cautious. If you’re using Instagram to market a brand, sell products, or work with sponsors, take a little extra time to make sure your music choices won’t land you in hot water. Better safe than muted, right?
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Ever go to add a song to your Reel and nothing happens? Or maybe the track you used last week is suddenly gone? Yep, it happens to all of us. If Instagram music not working is the problem you’re facing, there are a few likely reasons. Sometimes the fix is simple. Your app might just need an update. I’ve seen features randomly glitch until you’re on the latest version.
Other times, it’s about your account type. If you’re using a business account, you’ll probably notice a smaller selection of music. In that case, switching to a creator account can open things up a bit. Occasionally, there’s a strange bug that causes issues, and clearing your app’s cache or logging out and back in can refresh what’s available.
And don’t forget about region locks. If a song isn’t licensed where you live, it simply won’t show up no matter what tricks you try. With Instagram music, availability can change from week to week, so sometimes you just have to wait it out.
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Conclusion
Finding the right music for Instagram might seem complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, it actually becomes a fun part of the creative process. When you know where to discover trending music for Instagram and have a few reliable sources for free music for Instagram Reels, making engaging content feels much easier. The most important thing is to keep exploring and stay updated with music trends, since things can change quickly. With a bit of practice and curiosity, you’ll soon figure out which songs grab your audience’s attention and help your content stand out.
FAQs
Spend some time on the Reels tab. Songs that have an arrow icon next to them are currently trending. You can also follow accounts like @reeltrends or check out Spotify’s viral playlists to spot what’s popular right now.
It could be related to your account type since business accounts have limited access to music. Also, make sure your app is updated and be aware that regional restrictions can affect music availability.
Stick to royalty-free music or Instagram’s built-in library, and keep clips short.
Spotify, YouTube Music, and Instagram’s own Reels tab are great places to track Instagram music trends.
