Instagram has undergone a remarkable evolution beyond its original purpose as a platform for sharing photos and short videos. In 2018, the app achieved a new milestone with the introduction of a feature allowing users to create ephemeral stories that remain visible for only 24 hours, serving as an efficient tool for keeping followers updated on current events. Concurrently, the app also introduced a music sticker feature, which permits users to add music tracks to the background of their photo or video stories, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
The Music Sticker on Instagram Stories
For those utilizing the latest version of Instagram, the platform’s stories feature should be available. Instagram stories operate similarly to Snapchat’s stories, where users can post any content that remains visible for 24 hours. During this time, followers or contacts can view and engage with the user’s story until its expiration. The Instagram story experience is further enhanced by the availability of stickers that offer engaging features, making the feature all the more captivating.
Instagram offers a variety of stickers that users can incorporate into their posts, including location, music, time, question, poll, mentions, link, countdown, hashtag, among others. When a user selects a sticker, it will appear on the photo or video that they intend to share with their followers. The music sticker, on the other hand, presents users with a page containing a selection of music curated by Instagram, as well as a vast library of songs that users can browse.
Users can also search the extensive music library on Instagram to find a specific song that is not readily available on the curated list. In the event that a user selects a song that is unavailable, the following section provides some possible reasons for this issue.
Instagram Does Not Have the License for That Song
In the event of encountering an error message reading, “This song is not available in your region/location,” it is an indication that Instagram is experiencing licensing issues. Essentially, this means that Instagram is not authorized to distribute the song legally in the user’s region. Were they to do so, Instagram would be liable for copyright infringement, leading to a potential legal dispute between the artist and the social network.
It is essential to note that while some songs may be unavailable to users in certain regions, they may still be accessible to users in other areas. The availability of certain music tracks is largely dependent on the regulations governing each country. It is worth noting that in some regions, Instagram music may not be available at all, as some countries prohibit its use entirely.
You’re Using a Business Account
Users operating a business account on Instagram may also encounter this problem. Instagram rules stipulate that business accounts are restricted in terms of the songs they can incorporate into their stories to prevent potential copyright issues. Consequently, users with a business account who wish to add music to their story may need to switch to an individual account to do so.
It is worth noting that while some businesses may be allowed to use music in their content, others may not be permitted to do so, primarily due to the regulations governing the country in which they operate. Additionally, the selection of available songs for use in business accounts may be limited, further impacting their ability to incorporate music into their content.
How To Rectify Instagram Music Not Working for You
Fortunately, there are several solutions available for users experiencing any of the aforementioned issues. For example, users with a business account can easily switch to an individual account. Additionally, if location is the problem, users may bypass the issue by utilizing a VPN.
To switch from a business to an individual account, follow the simple steps outlined below:
- Launch the Instagram application and sign in.
- Tap on the profile icon located at the bottom right corner of the navigation bar.
- Tap on the three lines icon, select Settings, and then choose Account.
- Scroll to the bottom and select Switch to an individual account.
Once the account has been switched, users can attempt to incorporate their desired song into their story and check for functionality.
If the desired song is not available in the user’s location, they may use a VPN to access the platform from a country where the song is available. There are various VPN services available, some of which are free while others require a subscription. Users are advised to select the best VPN service and log into their Instagram account through it.
Conclusion
In some cases, the aforementioned solutions may not resolve the issue at hand. If this is the case, the problem may be due to other issues such as an outdated app or a service outage from Instagram.
To resolve such issues, users may update their app from the App Store or Play Store to ensure they are using the latest version. Alternatively, they may need to wait until Instagram resolves the service outage. It is important to note that service outages are typically resolved within a reasonable time frame, and users should be patient while waiting for the issue to be resolved.
