Why Are Some Songs Not on Instagram Music?
Instagram has undergone significant evolution, surpassing its initial purpose as a platform solely for sharing photos and short videos.
In 2018, the app introduced a new feature called Stories, enabling users to provide updates to their followers that last for 24 hours.
Accompanying this feature was the music sticker, allowing users to incorporate music into the background of their photo or video stories.
However, users have encountered instances where the app notifies them that a particular song they desire is unavailable in their region or location.
In certain countries, the use of songs is restricted altogether, rendering the music sticker feature effectively useless. This article will delve into the reasons behind this limitation and explore other factors that can contribute to the unavailability of certain songs.
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The Music Sticker on Instagram Stories
If you’re using the latest version of Instagram, you should have access to the Stories feature. Instagram Stories function similarly to Snapchat Stories, allowing you to share posts that last for 24 hours.
Your followers can view and engage with your story until the 24-hour period ends. What makes Instagram Stories even more exciting are the stickers that provide various captivating features.
The stickers available on the app include location, music, time, question, poll, mentions, link, countdown, hashtag, and more.
When you choose a sticker, it will be added to the photo or video you want to post for your followers.
However, when you select the music sticker, you’ll be presented with a page displaying music curated by Instagram as well as a library of music to browse through.
You can also search the extensive Instagram library to find a specific song that may not be listed. However, if you select a song and Instagram notifies you that it’s unavailable, the following sections will explain the possible reasons for this issue.
Reason #1: Instagram Doesn’t Have the License for That Song If you receive the error message “This song is not available in your region/location,” it indicates that Instagram has a licensing limitation.
This means that Instagram doesn’t have the legal rights to distribute the song in your specific region. If they were to do so, Instagram could face copyright infringement issues, potentially leading to legal disputes between the artist and the social network.
Some of the songs that are unavailable to you might be accessible to users in different regions, depending on each country’s regulations. Interestingly, certain countries do not allow Instagram music at all.
Reason #2: You’re Using a Business Account If you’re using a business account on Instagram, you may also encounter this problem.
Business accounts have certain limitations on the songs they can include in their stories to prevent copyright infringement. If necessary, you may need to switch your account from a business account to an individual account.
Although some businesses can use music in their stories while others cannot, the availability of songs depends on the regulations in each country. However, the selection of songs accessible to you might be limited.
How To Rectify Instagram Music Not Working for You
If you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned issues, there are quick solutions available to you.
If you’re using a business account and want to switch to an individual account, follow these steps:
- Launch the Instagram app and sign in.
- Tap on your profile icon located in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the hamburger menu icon, then select “Settings” and choose “Account.”
- Scroll down to the bottom and tap on “Switch to Personal Account.”
- Once you’ve successfully switched to an individual account, try using the desired song in your story again to see if it works.
If the song remains unavailable in your location, you can bypass this restriction by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access the platform from a country where the songs are available.
There are various VPN services available that can be added as browser extensions or downloaded as apps. Some are free, while others require a paid subscription. Choose the one that suits your needs best, install it, and log into your Instagram account using the VPN.
By following these steps, you can overcome the limitations imposed by a business account and access songs that may not be available in your current location.
Conclusion
If none of the aforementioned solutions work for you, it could be due to other issues such as having an outdated app or experiencing a service outage on Instagram’s end.
To address these issues, you can try the following:
- Update your Instagram app: Check for updates in the App Store (for iOS users) or the Play Store (for Android users) and install any available updates for the Instagram app. An outdated app version can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
- Wait for Instagram to resolve the service outage: If Instagram is currently experiencing a service outage or technical difficulties, the problem may be temporary. In such cases, it is advisable to wait for Instagram to address the issue on their end. You can check Instagram’s official social media accounts or other reliable sources to stay updated on any ongoing service disruptions.
By updating your app or patiently waiting for Instagram to resolve the service outage, you increase the chances of resolving the issues you’re facing.