How to use copyrighted music on Instagram legally 2022

“How to use copyrighted music on Instagram legally” is a query we often see on forums all over the Internet. We guess that if you’ve ever thought about using copyrighted music on Instagram, finding the information you need with the facts can be difficult. 

With ever-changing rules and complicated copyright laws, determining the right moves when using copyrighted music can be even more difficult. 

Of course, starting with having an understanding of the Instagram rules is the most important thing if you don’t want your posts to get taken down. Even if your content gets removed by Instagram, there are ways you can restore it. 

How Does Instagram Detect Copyrighted Music?

Instagram is very similar to other social media platforms in that it uses an automated system to detect when someone is using copyrighted music on one of their posts. 

Because the process of finding copyrighted music is automated, it’s not uncommon for Instagram to make mistakes. In some cases, music gets flagged under copyright protection, even if you have proper permission to use it on your post. 

What Happens When Instagram Detects Copyrighted Music?

When Instagram finds copyrighted music, they will usually do one of three things:

• Mute the music on your post
• Remove your post entirely
• End your post if you’re live streaming

Recently, Instagram put out a feature alerting users when they’re using copyrighted music in their content. Essentially, if you’re using music on your Instagram story, live streams or any other IG posts, you’ll get a red warning telling you that you need to change your music.

With this warning comes instructions for remedying the copyright problem. 

The beauty of this new system is that users have time to fix the problem before their post is automatically interrupted, blocked, or muted. 

How To Avoid Copyright Issues On Instagram

In order to avoid Instagram copyright issues, you need to follow a few tips, including:

• Giving credit to the music’s writer/composer when using their music
• Asking creators for their permission before using their music
• Remixing the track to give it a different sound 
• Using royalty-free music instead

How To Use Music On Instagram Properly

Ask Creators For Permission

While asking your favorite artist for permission to use their track might not be the easiest thing in the world, you might want to put in the effort if you truly want to use it in your post. The worst thing an artist can tell you is “no.” If they give you permission with a big “yes,” you may even make a connection with your favorite artists, which is a win-win!

Give Credit to the Creators In Your Instagram Caption

You may not be able to get in touch with the music creator. In that case, you can try to credit the artist in your caption. Note that captioning your Instagram post won’t protect you from the automated system, though it might help you in the case that you have to make an appeal to Instagram when they send you a warning. 

For example, if Instagram asks you to take your content down, you can show them that you never intended to claim the music as your creation and that you provided the necessary credit for the artist. 

Use Royalty-Free Music

Your best bet is to use royalty-free music that is similar to the copyrighted music you wanted to use in the first place. 

Instagram has a massive library of royalty-free tracks that you can use to avoid infringement issues. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the Instagram library, you can check out our near-endless library of high-fidelity, royalty-free music here on Mubert. 

What Should I Do If Instagram Takes Down My Content?

There are times when Instagram accidentally removes posts or reports them for copyright infringement when it shouldn’t.

If you believe that you’re using no copyright music, you can follow the link in the copyright infringement notification you receive to make an appeal. It’s a good idea to make sure you keep ALL necessary information regarding licenses for the music you use, as it can be helpful as proof in your appeal that you used it rightfully.  

How To Use Copyrighted Music On Instagram Without Copyright Issues

Whether you run an Instagram business or brand, consider yourself an influencer or just use the platform for fun, it’s important to respect the copyright rules to protect your content. Make sure that if you choose to download music and use it on your Instagram, you keep your licensing information and receipts organized for proof in case you need to make an appeal! 

Follow our guide above, and you should have no problems!

Mubert is a platform powered by music producers that helps creators and brands generate unlimited royalty-free music with the help of AI. Mubert's mission is to empower and protect the creators. Our purpose is to democratize the Creator Economy.

Want to know how to use copyrighted music on Instagram? So, you should first know the official Instagram music copyright rules. If you know how to post copyrighted music on Instagram legally, it will not get taken down. Even if it is taken down, here, you will learn how to restore it. So, let’s start to see how you can avoid copyright on Instagram.  

How does Instagram Detect Copyrighted Music?

The process of detecting copyrighted music is not accomplished manually by a person sitting in a room listening to thousands of people’s messages. That is practically not feasible, for sure! Instead, when copyrighted music is played on a post, Instagram can automatically detect it.

Since this is an automated procedure, errors can occur. Music that you have permission to use may be flagged as copyrighted and taken down.

What does Instagram Do when it Detects Copyrighted Music?

When you use copyrighted music in your Instagram post, Instagram can take several actions toward your post or live stream. It may:

• Mute your post and prevent the music from playing;
• Stop your live stream;
• Remove your entire Instagram post.

Moreover, Instagram has recently introduced a new feature that displays a message alerting users when copyrighted music is being used. When this music is used in live streams, Instagram Stories, and feed posts, an alert may appear that tells the user to change the music.

The message also provides guidance for users on how to resolve the issue. This new feature aims to stop Instagram’s automatic live stream interruptions such as muting, blocking, or ending. Instagram has recently posted some of its copyright policies for Instagram songs. Here we will take a look at them.

Instagram Music Copyright Rules

So, how do you use copyrighted music in your Instagram posts, videos, IGTVs, or Lives?

There is no way to get around the copyright restrictions on Instagram songs. According to Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, you can only “post content to Instagram that does not violate someone else’s intellectual property rights.” You do not want to break any copyright laws or have your post taken down, do you?

How to Use Copyrighted Music on Instagram?

So, how can you legally post copyrighted music on Instagram? Thankfully, Instagram made some of their Instagram Copyright Music Rules public. Follow these guidelines to keep your content safe:

1. Accompany the Music with a Video

“There should always be a visual component to your video; recorded audio should not be the primary purpose of the video.” according to Instagram. So, it means that sharing music alone can cause your music to get taken down. One way to avoid copyright on Instagram is to share your YouTube video on Instagram. 

To share your YouTube video to Instagram, you need to use third-party apps because neither YouTube nor Instagram gives you such an option. A perfect tool for doing so is AiSchedul. 

AiSchedul is an advanced Instagram scheduler app that helps you manage your Instagram accounts like a pro. To share a YouTube video on Instagram posts using AiSchedul, just follow these steps: 

• Sign up for free on AiSchedul and add your Instagram account.
• Then, go to the “POSTS & SCHEDULING” tab and open the “SCHEDULER” on your AiSchedul dashboard.

• Click on the schedule button and choose feed.
• Now, just copy the YouTube video URL you want to share on Instagram posts and paste it on the “YouTube URL” box.

2. Use Short Videos

“The greater the number of full-length recorded tracks in a video, the more likely it may be limited,” according to Instagram. So, it is better that you choose short videos from your camera roll, gallery, or YouTube channel. Also, remember to check Instagram video length limits.

3. Share the Link of the Music 

Instead of sharing the video or the audio, you can share the music URL in your Instagram bio. As you may know, Instagram bio does not allow its users to add more than one link in their bio. If you already have a link in your bio, you can use an Instagram tool like AiSchedul to add more than one link to your bio.

AiSchedul gives you a link to a particular space where you can put all your links. So, you share the link in your bio and ask your friends and followers to check your bio to access the link to the music you want them to listen to. Your followers can tap on your bio link and see all your links in addition to the music link there. 

This is a great way to both avoid copyright on Instagram and promote your other URLs. 

3. Share Live Performance Videos

There is nothing wrong with filming a live performance and share it as a video on your Instagram feed or story. So, share your great memories from the performances or concerts you go to without worrying about losing your video regarding Instagram copyright rules.

4. Use Instagram’s Copyright-Free Music

There is a collection of copyright-free music by Instagram and Facebook. If you want to be 100% sure that your music does not get down, you can use the songs and sounds offered in this collection.

5. Ask the Artist Directly

Yes, it sounds not feasible, but it is a solution anyway. You can reach out to the singer or the artist to ask whether they allow you to use their music. 

6. Give Credit

To not make the assumption for Instagram that you are claiming to own the music, you can give credit to the music owner in the caption of your Instagram post. If you are sharing the music in your stories, you can mention the artist’s account there. 

What to Do When Instagram Takes Down Your Content?

Your content may be brought down if you do not follow the instructions above. Someone may report your content to Instagram as a copyright infringement. The first thing you should do is to stay relaxed. Then, you should read the Instagram notification to figure out more information about the issue. If you think that you are not infringing any copyright rules, you can appeal to Instagram.

Recap

Respecting copyright rules is necessary especially on Instagram if you are an influencer or a brand owner. In order to keep your content away from being taken down, you should follow the instructions above. Wish you the best of luck!