How to Add Your Music to Instagram and TikTok: A Fun Guide for Musicians

Welcome, fellow musician! If you’ve been hiding out in your studio, crafting the perfect song, it’s time to let the world hear it—specifically, on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where viral trends are born and music takes on a whole new life. But you might be wondering, "How do I actually get my music onto Instagram and TikTok?" Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with this fun, quirky guide that will show you exactly how to share your music on these two powerhouse social media platforms.

These platforms are more than just a way to stay connected with your fans; they’re vital tools for musicians who want to reach new audiences and create the next big viral hit. So, let’s break down the steps you need to take to get your music out there and trending on Instagram and TikTok. Ready? Let’s dive in!

Why Should You Add Your Music to Instagram and TikTok?

Before we get into the how-to, let’s talk about the "why." Instagram and TikTok have become the go-to platforms for discovering new music. Whether it’s a TikTok dance challenge or an Instagram story with a catchy song in the background, these platforms have become the stage for music discovery. Think about it—how many times have you found a new track on TikTok that instantly made it to your playlist? That could be your song.

Instagram and TikTok aren’t just social media platforms; they’re music discovery engines that can propel your career to the next level. Having your music on these platforms gives you access to millions of potential listeners, creators, and influencers who can amplify your song to the masses. Imagine seeing your track featured in the latest viral dance trend or used in a heartwarming Instagram story. Sounds pretty awesome, right?

Step 1: Get Your Music Distributed to Streaming Platforms

First things first: before you can add your music to Instagram or TikTok, it needs to be available on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or Deezer. You can’t just upload a song directly to these social media sites—your music needs to be on a platform where Instagram and TikTok can pull it from.

To do this, you’ll need to use a digital music distributor. These services act as the middleman, helping you get your music onto all the major streaming platforms. Some popular digital distributors include:

DistroKid

TuneCore

CD Baby

RouteNote

Once you’ve uploaded your song through one of these services, your music will become available on a variety of streaming platforms—including Instagram and TikTok—making it easier for users to find and use your tracks in their posts.

Think of this step as getting your music into the digital marketplace. Once it's there, Instagram and TikTok can start pulling it for use in videos.

Step 2: Use Instagram’s Music Library

Instagram has a built-in feature that lets users add music to their posts and stories. Once your song is available on streaming platforms, it should automatically appear in Instagram’s music library. Here’s how to make sure your music gets added to Instagram’s library and can be used by others:

Make sure your song is distributed through a service that ensures your music is properly licensed and available to the public.

Check that your song is live and available on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and others.

Give Instagram some time—sometimes it takes a few days for new music to show up in their library.

Once your track is available, users can easily add it to their Instagram stories or posts by selecting the “Music” sticker when creating their story. They can search for your song by title or artist, and boom, your music can become the soundtrack to someone’s post.

Remember, even though Instagram offers this feature, it’s ultimately about getting your fans and other creators to use your music. The more people share your song in their stories, the more exposure you’ll get. Who knows, it might even inspire the next viral trend!

Step 3: Get Your Music Featured on TikTok

Now, let's talk about TikTok. TikTok is, without a doubt, the place where music goes viral. From dance challenges to comedic skits, TikTok users love to add songs to their videos. Getting your music featured on TikTok is a big win because it can send your track into the stratosphere of streaming success.

Here’s the deal: much like Instagram, TikTok pulls its music directly from streaming platforms. So, if your song is available on Spotify, Apple Music, or any other major platform, it should automatically show up in TikTok’s music library for users to select when creating their videos.

But here’s where things get a little more interesting: TikTok offers an exclusive feature through the platform’s SoundOn program, which is designed to help independent artists get their music into the TikTok sound library. By signing up for SoundOn, you can distribute your music directly to TikTok, and the best part is that you’ll be able to manage your royalties and track the performance of your songs right through the platform.

To get started with SoundOn, you’ll need to:

Visit the TikTok SoundOn website.

Wait for TikTok to approve and distribute your music to their library.

Once your song is live on TikTok, users can add it to their videos. From there, it’s up to you to get creative and start promoting your track—maybe even start your own TikTok challenge to get others involved. As more and more users add your song to their videos, your track has the potential to go viral and gain serious exposure.

Step 4: Engage with Your Fans and TikTok Creators

Now that your music is live on TikTok, don’t just sit back and wait for the viral fame to roll in. Engage with your followers and encourage them to use your music in their videos. Respond to comments, share videos where your song is being used, and maybe even collaborate with creators who are using your track in their content.

TikTok thrives on creativity and trends, so the more you interact with users, the more likely your music is to catch fire. Try creating a challenge or a trend based around your song to encourage users to get creative. This kind of engagement is what helps songs break through the noise and make it to the "For You" page, where millions of users can discover it.

On Instagram, you can do something similar. Encourage your followers to use your song in their stories and tag you. If they tag you in their posts, share their content to your feed or story to help amplify the buzz. Social media is a two-way street, so being active and engaging is key to growing your presence.

Step 5: Monitor Your Music’s Performance

Once your music is up and running on Instagram and TikTok, the fun doesn’t stop there. You need to keep an eye on how your music is performing on these platforms. Luckily, both Instagram and TikTok offer analytics tools to help you track the success of your music.

On Instagram, you can check the Insights tab to see how many people have interacted with your music in stories and posts. This helps you understand what’s working and which songs are getting the most traction. On TikTok, you can use the TikTok for Creators portal to see how often your song is used and track how many views your music has generated.

This information is golden because it lets you adjust your marketing strategy and figure out what resonates with your audience. Plus, it can help you spot opportunities to collaborate or push your music even further.

Final Thoughts: Let Your Music Shine on Social Media

Adding your music to Instagram and TikTok is one of the best ways to get your tracks into the hands (and ears) of millions. Whether it’s sharing snippets on Instagram stories or creating viral TikTok challenges, both platforms offer endless possibilities for musicians to gain exposure, grow their fanbase, and even go viral.

So, get your music on streaming platforms, ensure it’s available in the Instagram and TikTok music libraries, and start engaging with creators who can turn your song into the next big trend. After all, the world is waiting for the next catchy tune to go viral, and it just might be yours! Ready to make some noise? Let’s get your music out there!