Instagram may be known as a visual-first platform, but the role of music is no less important. From reels to stories to feed posts, music helps you bring emotion, pace, and personality to your content.
The right track can turn even a basic video into something that actually sticks and captures attention. That’s why the most successful creators put just as much effort into finding the best music for Instagram videos as they do into shooting and editing content.
Instagram’s built-in music library makes it easy to add popular tracks to reels and stories. It’s a convenient option for creators looking to enhance content quickly. But for those seeking consistency, commercial flexibility, or a sound that’s truly unique, it’s worth exploring royalty-free music for Instagram that goes beyond the native library.
Summary
Why music matters on Instagram
When it comes to standing out on Instagram, music shapes the entire experience. Visuals might grab attention, but music keeps viewers engaged and watching longer.
Here are a few reasons why music for Instagram reels and other formats is essential for creators:
- Enhances user engagement: The right track draws viewers in and encourages them to stay until the end. Sound increases retention and boosts interactions like shares, comments, and saves.
- Boosts emotional connection: Music sets the mood. Whether you’re going for funny, heartfelt, or cinematic, audio strengthens the story you’re telling.
- Helps you stand out: Pairing your content with a unique or trending song gives it an edge in a crowded feed. Music is a quick way to differentiate your style from the rest.
Choosing the right music for Instagram content
Finding the perfect royalty-free music for Instagram depends on a few key factors. Here’s how to match your music to your message.
Content type
Different Instagram formats serve different purposes, and the music you choose should support that.
- Reels: Reels are designed for discovery. They autoplay in-feed and loop, so music needs to hook your audience fast. Tracks with a strong intro or immediate rhythm work best. Look for energetic or emotionally engaging music that aligns with trending sounds or visual pacing.
- Stories: Instagram stories are viewed in sequence and disappear after 24 hours. They’re often used for quick updates, announcements, or behind-the-scenes content. Music here should support clarity, either by setting a vibe or reinforcing a message. Avoid tracks that overpower voiceovers or text overlays.
- Video posts (in-feed): These are typically longer and can live permanently on your profile. Music should support the storytelling without stealing focus. Choose tracks that complement your video’s mood. Steady, loopable background music is ideal for voiceover-heavy or informative content, while dynamic soundtracks can elevate mood-based visuals.
Brand voice and audience
Your music choices should align with the tone of your brand and the expectations of your audience. Think of music as an extension of your visual identity.
For example:
- A lifestyle brand might lean into upbeat indie, lo-fi, or acoustic tracks to create a relaxed, approachable vibe.
- A tech company may go for clean electronic or minimal beats that reflect precision and innovation.
- A wellness creator might choose ambient or instrumental music that reinforces calm, focus, or introspection.
- A fashion brand might use bold, percussive tracks or genre-blending beats to amplify edge and personality.
When your audio and visuals speak the same language, your content feels cohesive and more memorable.
Trends and viral soundtracks
Music trends move fast on Instagram, especially in reels. Popular audio often drives how content is discovered and shared. While you don’t always need to use the exact trending track, staying aware of what’s gaining traction helps you make informed creative choices.
Look for patterns in:
- Structure (e.g., beat drops, builds, or tempo changes that sync well with transitions)
- Mood (e.g., nostalgic, playful, dramatic)
- Style (e.g., remixes, retro samples, or cinematic overlays)
You can also create content designed to follow a trending format but use royalty-free music that echoes the tone. This gives you more control over licensing while still tapping into the viral feel.
How to legally use music on Instagram
Instagram offers built-in tools to add music, but they come with limitations. Here’s how to make sure your audio is legal and on-brand:
Instagram’s built-in music library
Instagram provides access to a library of music you can use in reels, stories, and some video posts. These tracks are pre-cleared for personal accounts, but business accounts often have more limited access due to copyright and licensing restrictions. Plus, song availability can vary by country or region.
While convenient, this library may not always offer the exact atmosphere you’re after or the legal flexibility for commercial or branded content.
Licensing music independently
If you’re working with a brand, running ads, or using content commercially, you need to secure rights independently. This means avoiding copyrighted songs unless you’ve obtained a license. Ignoring this can lead to content being muted, taken down, or even penalized.
Royalty-free platforms like Motion Array
If you want to make sure that all your bases are covered in terms of using music legally, royalty-free is the way to go. Platforms like Motion Array offer thousands of high-quality, licensable tracks created for creators. You get full coverage for commercial use and total peace of mind — plus, you’re supporting real artists in the process.
25 royalty-free music tracks to boost your Instagram content
1. Grey Sky
Grey Sky is a smooth jam that would make the ideal tune for the back of a slow-moving travel reel featuring gorgeous settings. This lo-fi hip-hop track features retro synths, deep bass, piano, and tight beats.
Perfect for: Travel reels, aesthetic montages, mood-setting stories.
2. Set The World On Fire
For something with a little more excitement and a dash of grunge, check out Set The World on Fire. This motivational track features a collection of horns, organs, bass, electric guitars, and pulsing beats.
Perfect for: Motivational reels, brand promos, sports highlights.
Download Set The World On Fire Now
3. Under The Clouds
Soft and stylish, Under The Clouds features a gentle piano, groovy bass, bright sax, trumpets, and tight beats. This lo-fi hip-hop track would be the perfect backing for your next lifestyle visual.
Perfect for: Lifestyle Stories, chill fashion reels, morning routines.
4. This Is My Story
This Is My Story has both a modern upbeat and motivational air to it. Featuring EDM synths, deep bass, air pads, and punchy drums, this track might just fit your next Instagram ad reel perfectly.
Perfect for: Branded reels, creator intros, story-driven posts.
5. Perfectly All Right
Keeping the cool vibe going but adding a little groove into it is Perfectly All Right. This electro hip-hop track features deep bass, claps, sax leads, and synths, all backed by a steady, classic beat.
Perfect for: Nightlife content, fashion edits, moody product videos.
Download Perfectly All Right Now
6. Urban Sunrise
Urban Sunrise is filled with uplifting vocal cuts sure to keep your audience in good spirits. This piece of royalty-free music for Instagram has a real summer mood to it, featuring cool beats and synths.
Perfect for: Seasonal reels, travel highlights, upbeat Stories.
7. Phony
Phony has a real old-school vibe to it. This funky, lo-fi hip-hop piece features a cool bass with keys, vocal cuts, guitars, and a driving rhythm. It’s the perfect royalty-free track for your next Instagram promo.
Perfect for: Throwback reels, urban footage, promo teasers.
8. Feeling Inspired
As the opening to a classic teen flick, Feeling Inspired is a fun pop-rock track perfect for starting the day on a good note. This track is ideal for short Instagram vlogs and features strings, keys, vocal cuts, airy guitars, and drums.
Perfect for: Daily vlog clips, lifestyle reels, story Q&As.
9. Go For It!
If you’re looking for the best Instagram background music options, Go For It is for you. This electronic track is perfect for corporations or creatives and features strings, synths, pads, and hip-hop beats.
Perfect for: Company reels, product demos, behind-the-scenes stories.
10. Bright Beam Of Light
Bright Beam Of Light is an upbeat, modern hip-hop beat perfect for your next Instagram video. This track features light keys, vocal chops, and airy guitars. Whether you’re promoting fashion or travel, it’s a great pick.
Perfect for: Trendy reels, influencer posts, fashion hauls.
Download Bright Beam Of Light Now
11. Walk Away
Walk Away has a vintage vibe with its combination of e-piano, sampled vocals, guitars, and strings. If you’re looking for a groovy track to back some urban footage on Instagram, this is a top contender.
Perfect for: Streetwear edits, moody reels, urban aesthetic stories.
12. In The City
If you want an upbeat track that features cool vocal chops, In The City is for you. This urban royalty-free track is perfect for Instagram with its cool beat, guitar, and pulsing piano.
Perfect for: Fashion lookbooks, outfit transitions, fast-paced reels.
13. Obey The Fashion
Obey The Fashion features a chill ambiance that is perfect for promoting luxury on social media. This lounge trap track creates a cool experience with airy synths, glitchy beats, pads, and vocal chops.
Perfect for: Beauty campaigns, slow motion reels, product reveals.
14. Technical Flow
For an abstract feeling that dives into the world of tech, Technical Flow is your track. It’s a gritty piece of industrial electronic music that features beats, electronic synths, SFX elements, and distant arpeggios.
Perfect for: Tech brand reels, digital art showcases, gadget teasers.
15. Keep Ya Head Up
Keep Ya Head Up is a punchy track that features stops, claps, brass, bass, percussion, and a cool piano. It’s a great royalty-free Instagram track that you can add behind your next groovy promo video.
Perfect for: Event recaps, dance clips, upbeat stories.
16. The Rising Rays
Rising Rays somehow manages to provide both an upbeat and inspiring feeling, while still keeping calm, cool, and collected. Featuring synths, bass, claps, vocal chops, and airy pads.
Perfect for: Wellness reels, motivational content, calm morning visuals.
17. Inhalation
Those in search of an upbeat, catchy pop tune will find themselves thrilled with Inhalation. This track features cool drums, claps, pianos, guitars, kicks, and vocal bits.
Perfect for: Lifestyle reels, playful product showcases, reels with text overlays.
18. Rhythm Of Life
Filled with uplifting funk, Rhythm Of Life is one of those catchy tunes that could induce scroll-stopping if used correctly. It’s packed with brass, guitars, piano, drums, claps, and cool bass.
Perfect for: Food reels, dance trends, joyful brand content.
19. Rock This Way
Ideal for a sports-filled segment, Rock This Way is a catchy, engaging hip-hop track. Whether you want to back a vlog or a promo, it features a cool, groovy bass, uplifting electronic drums, synths, guitars, and scratches.
Ideal for a sports-filled segment, Rock This Way is a catchy, engaging hip-hop track with a groovy bass and electronic drums.
20. Unstoppable Energy
With strong vocal hooks, Unstoppable Energy is a fun and percussive track. It features synths, sax, rock guitars, stops, claps, and a bold rhythm.
Perfect for: High-impact reels, event recaps, campaign announcements.
21. Rhythmic Decisions
Rhythmic Decisions is a great choice if you’re looking for something groovy and fun. It features guitars, horns, claps, drums, percussion, and slap bass.
Perfect for: Fashion transitions, team videos, upbeat reels.
Download Rhythmic Decisions Now
22. The Quiet Sounds
The Quiet Sounds is an urban modern track with airy piano, synths, mallets, deep bass, and vocal chops.
Perfect for: Minimalist product promos, aesthetic reels, modern lifestyle content.
23. Remixed Life
If you’re looking for something with a choppy, beatbox feel, Remixed Life is for you. This hip-hop track features synths, sub-bass, guitar bits, electro percussion, and vocal effects.
Perfect for: Creative edits, animation reels, tech promos.
24. Alive And Well
Alive And Well is an upbeat hip-hop track that could be used to make a real splash on Instagram. It features scratches, bass, boom-bap beats, brass hits, and vocal chops.
Perfect for: Urban lifestyle reels, product launches, energetic stories.
25. Like This
Like This is an energetic electronic hip-hop track with female rap vocals, with a sound that could be at home on today’s Top 40 radio. It’s bold, punchy, and made to grab attention, ideal for creators who want to bring serious confidence to their content.
Perfect for: Fashion reels, viral challenge videos, bold brand campaigns.
Wrapping up
Taking your project to the next level means finding a great piece of music you can pair it with, and Motion Array has you covered. Not only can you find great royalty-free music for your Instagram videos, but there are thousands of tracks to fit any cinematic mood.
