For Instagram users, the feature of adding songs to Stories is certainly a fun way to liven up content. However, many complain that when searching for music on Instagram, the selection is very limited, sometimes only showing English songs by unknown artists. This phenomenon has been widely discussed in various online forums, including readers of ajakteman.com who are curious about why this happens and how to fix it so that the music in Instagram Stories can be restored.
Reasons Why Songs in Instagram Stories Are Incomplete
Before discussing how to fix this, it's important to understand the root cause. There are several key factors that can cause the song list on Instagram Stories to be less comprehensive than we might imagine.
1. Type of Instagram Account Used
One of the most common causes is the type of account you're using . Instagram differentiates between personal, creator, and business accounts.
- Personal accounts typically have access to almost all the songs available in the Instagram Music library.
- Creator accounts are also relatively free to choose songs, although there are certain restrictions.
- Business accounts have very limited access to music due to licensing reasons. Popular songs copyrighted for personal use are often not permitted for commercial use.
If you use a business account, Instagram automatically filters licensed songs and only displays royalty-free music or songs from independent artists who have granted commercial licenses.
2. Music License and Copyright
Instagram partners with music labels and copyright holders to provide songs on its platform. However, these licensing agreements are typically limited to non-commercial use . Therefore, accounts detected for business purposes are not permitted to use popular commercial songs.
3. User Location and Region
Not all songs are available in every country. Some songs may be available in the United States but not in Indonesia, or vice versa, depending on licensing policies in each region.
4. Restrictions from the Label or Artist
Some artists or music labels choose not to distribute their songs on Instagram, or limit its use to certain types of accounts.
Characteristics of Business Instagram Accounts That Have Limited Music
For those of you who feel the music on your Instagram Story has suddenly decreased, here are the signs:
- Only instrumental songs or royalty-free music appear.
- Many English songs from unknown artists.
- Popular songs from famous singers are missing from the list.
- Can't find a particular song even after typing the title.
How to Fix Incomplete Songs on Instagram Stories
If you want the music on your Instagram Story back to its full form, there are several solutions you can try:
1. Change Instagram Account Type
If you're currently using a business account, switch to a personal or creator account. Here's how:
- Open Instagram Settings .
- Select Account Type .
- Click Switch to Personal Account or Switch to Creator Account .
- After changing, try opening the music feature in Story again.
Note: Changing your account to personal or creator may affect some business features like insights and ads, so consider this accordingly.
2. Use Songs from Other Platforms
If you don't want to change your account type, you can play songs from other apps (Spotify, YouTube, your phone's music player) while recording your Story. While this method won't automatically display the song title, it can be an alternative.
3. Use Effects or Music Templates from Reels
Some Reels templates already provide built-in music that you can use without licensing restrictions, even if you have a business account.
4. Use a Second Account
Many creators create a second, personal account specifically for creating Stories or Reels with music, then upload the results to their main account.
Is it safe to change from a business account to a personal account?
Technically, it's safe. Instagram doesn't prohibit changing account types at any time. However, if your account is used for business and promotional purposes, you will lose access to some analytics features.
Why are the songs only in English and the artists unclear?
This is because business accounts only display royalty-free songs or songs from independent artists who provide commercial licenses for free.
- These songs are often from globally used copyright-free music libraries.
- Artist names are sometimes unfamiliar because they are not mainstream musicians.
- The lyrics and melody may sound generic because they were created specifically for commercial content purposes.
Tips for Choosing Music for Instagram Business Stories
Even with limited resources, you can still create an engaging Story by choosing the right music. Here are some tips:
1. Choose a song with a tempo that suits the content.
Upbeat music is suitable for product promotion, while slow music is suitable for storytelling.
2. Take Advantage of Instrumental Music
Instrumental songs often give a professional and neutral impression.
3. Use Your Own Original Music
If you're a musician or have original music, upload it to Reels and use it in your Story.
4. Use Transition Effects with Music
Some effects on Instagram automatically add music that is safe for business accounts.
Important Factors in Instagram's Music Policy
This policy isn't designed to make things difficult for creators, but rather to protect copyright. Business accounts are considered to represent a brand, so all music used must be protected from potential copyright infringement.
So, the conclusion
Incomplete songs in Instagram Stories, or only English songs with unknown artists, are often caused by business accounts that are subject to commercial licensing regulations. These accounts don't have permission to use popular, privately licensed songs. Solutions include changing your account to personal or creator, using music from external sources, utilizing Reels templates, or creating a second account. By understanding the causes and solutions, you can still create engaging Instagram Stories without violating copyright regulations.