How to Add Music to Instagram Ads in Ads Manager (Step-by-Step)

Audiodrome   |   Last Updated: January 2nd, 2026   |   25 min read   |   Blog

Instagram can approve a post, then block it when you turn it into an ad. Music triggers stricter checks in paid delivery, so you need a simple workflow. This guide shows two ways to add music, when the option appears and how to keep proof ready.

Before you touch Ads Manager: treat ads as commercial/non-personal

Commercial use refers to using music to support a business goal, such as sales, leads, app installs, or brand lift, through paid delivery. In Ads Manager, the video, caption, and audio work together as a marketing asset that you measure and optimize. That context changes the standard of rights because the music helps drive business outcomes.

Non-personal use means the post represents a business, an organization, or anyone’s interests beyond a private, everyday share. Non-personal use starts when the content represents a brand, a service, or a client campaign. Partnerships and paid promotion push it further into the business lane.

You can spot this fast by looking at intent and who benefits from the reach you buy. Examples include boosting a Reel to sell a product, promoting a sale or event, running client campaigns from an agency account, publishing partnership content for a brand, and building retargeting ads for a service. When any of these apply, treat the music like part of the ad inventory, with rights proof ready.

Pick your music source first

Your first decision is the music source, because it sets the rules for everything that follows. When you pick the source first, you avoid last-minute swaps that break pacing, timing, and edits. Aim for a default you can trust in ten seconds, then build your workflow around that lane.

Meta Sound Collection

When you want a fast, platform-native option for Meta placements, Meta Sound Collection works best. You choose a track, build the ad, and keep the audio inside the same ecosystem where the ad runs. That tight loop cuts admin work and keeps your proof simple, because the track comes from a Meta-provided catalog.

Some Ads Manager setups surface Sound Collection tracks directly while you build certain ad creatives, and creators often see it when working with single-image formats across placements. Treat availability as account-dependent, then plan a backup source so the edit stays stable.

The tradeoff is paperwork and control. You typically get usability inside Meta, plus speed, yet you may lack a standalone license document you can forward to a client or attach to a clearance request. Meta can also rotate rights, so a track that clears today may change later, which can affect delivery.

Sound Collection also fits Meta-first publishing. If your plan includes cross-posting the same asset to YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, or a website, you gain stability by choosing a source that grants cross-platform rights in writing. That is where a third-party royalty-free license can carry the whole campaign across channels.

3rd-party royalty-free libraries

Third-party royalty-free libraries suit workflows that need proof, portability, and repeat use. You buy or subscribe, then you keep a license agreement that explains rights in plain terms. That document helps when a client asks for clearance, a reviewer questions usage, or a teammate needs confirmation for publishing.

This lane also supports multi-platform distribution because the license can cover the same project across social platforms, websites, and paid campaigns. You control the asset pipeline because you keep a receipt, a contract, and a clean audit trail. The main cost comes from the library model, since pricing varies between subscriptions and one-time fees.

Focused Journey

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Clear Skies

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Bright Smile

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Solid Steps

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Chill Rhythm

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Soft Journey

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Focused Journey

Rock, Cinematic Ambient, Dynamic Electronic, Chill Pop, Indie Rock, Lo-fi

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Clear Skies

Chillout, Lounge, Ambient Pop, Electronic, Lo-fi

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Bright Smile

Pop, Indie Pop, Acoustic Pop, Ambient Pop, Folk Pop, Lo-fi, Dream Pop

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Solid Steps

Chill Pop, Acoustic Pop, Ambient, Corporate, Lo-fi

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Chill Rhythm

Indie Electronic, Chillout, Lo-fi, Acoustic Pop, Pop

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Soft Journey

Ambient, Ambient House, Cinematic, Corporate, Lo-fi, Minimal Techno

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What rights should be granted by the license?

A solid ad-safe license grants sync and master rights because ads combine music with video, animation, and still images across placements. Your agreement should spell out worldwide use, perpetual term, and distribution in any media, so the same creative can run in Ads Manager, live on a landing page, and travel across channels. Audiodrome’s grant covers these through a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license tied to paid purchase.

A strong license also covers monetization and client work, because ads often run for brands, agencies, and partners. Audiodrome’s terms allow monetization on major platforms and allow client projects, as long as the music stays embedded in the finished project and the raw track stays protected. That structure protects your campaign workflow while keeping rights clear for teams and clients.

Read also:

Music for Instagram Ads That Keep Boosted Posts and Reels Ads From Getting Rejected

Music for Instagram ads

Two ways to add music to Instagram ads

You can add music directly inside Ads Manager when you build a new ad creative, and you can also add music in a third-party editor before you upload the finished file. Ads Manager keeps the workflow fast because you pick a track and preview the ad in the same place, unlike the in-app Add audio workflow for feed posts. A third-party editor gives you tighter control over timing, levels, fades, and voice-overs.

If you want full control, add the music in an editor before you touch Ads Manager. Drop your ad into CapCut, Premiere, or Canva, then place the music on its own layer so you can trim the start, fade the end, and lower the volume under speech. Export one final video file with the audio included, then upload that finished creative to Ads Manager so the ad plays exactly as you edited it.

Add music inside Ads Manager

Ads Manager’s music control ties to a new ad creative you build at the ad level, so it does not apply when you run an ad from an existing post or when you work from a post made in Meta Creative Hub. Meta also lists this feature under specific placements and formats, including Instagram Reels single image ads, Instagram Stories single image ads, and Instagram Feed single image ads, and the exact availability can vary by account.

Where the option lives

You reach the music option inside Ads Manager at the ad level, inside the Ad creative section. Meta documents the control in that part of the build flow, which helps you keep the music choice tied to the exact creative that goes through review. Use this as your checkpoint before you finalize the upload and publish.

Step-by-step

Step 1: Go to the Ad creative section at the ad level. Click Edit and select Edit media to open the creative editor for this ad.

Step 2: In the editor, select Enhancements in the left menu. Stay in the For review view so you work on the version that goes through review.

Step 3: Find the Add music card in the enhancements list. Turn the feature on and use the preview player to hear how it sits on your creative.

Step 4: Choose your music method inside Add music. Use the automatic option for quick setup, or choose Manually select music when you want a specific track.

Step 5: If you pick manual selection, use the search bar and filters like Tempo or Mood to narrow the list. Select a track, preview it, then use Customize to lock in the final choice.

Heads-up: Ads Manager music controls depend on account setup and placement. If Add music stays hidden, use the editor-first export and upload a finished video.

Editor-first workflow (CapCut/Premiere/Canva → upload finished creative)

Use this workflow when you want full control over timing, fades, voiceovers, and pacing, or when Ads Manager does not show the music option for your setup. You build the finished creative first, then upload a single file that already includes the audio.

Step-by-step

Edit your video in your editor and add the music on its own layer so you can control the start, the peak, and the fade. Set the music level under speech if you use voiceover, then watch the full cut once to confirm the track supports the message instead of fighting it.

Export a final file with the music baked in, so the audio travels with the video as one asset. Use a standard export preset your team can repeat and name the file clearly so you can match it to the exact track and license later.

Upload the finished video creative to Ads Manager and preview the placement you plan to run. Check the first second, the mid-point, and the ending, then lock the creative so every edit stays consistent across reviews, approvals, and reporting.

Proof pack

Save the license and invoice as a single PDF so you can attach it fast when a reviewer or client asks for clearance. Record the track name and track ID in your project notes, then match them to the exported filename so you avoid mix-ups later. Confirm the license allows ads and promos, covers the platforms you plan to use, and states the term and territory, then keep the original project file and export settings for repeatable edits.

Proof Pack Checklist (Ads + Music)

• Combine the license and invoice into one PDF for fast sharing.
• Write down the track name and track ID in your project notes.
• Match the exported filename to the track name and ID to prevent mix-ups.
• Confirm the license allows ads and promos for your campaign.
• Confirm the license covers every platform you plan to publish on.
• Confirm the term and territory match your planned run dates and locations.
• Keep the original project file and export settings for repeatable edits.

Pro tip: Name exports with the track title and ID, then paste it into the ad name. You can trace audio fast during review.

QA checks before you publish

Run the preview the way a real viewer will experience it, because that is how review teams judge the creative. Check the mobile preview first since phone speakers reveal weak audio fast and show pacing problems that desktop hides. Watch the full ad once without touching the volume so you hear the true first impression.

Set the music level so it supports the message and leaves the spoken words clear from the first second. If you use voiceover, keep the voice steady and let the music sit underneath it instead of competing for attention. Do a quick A/B test by lowering the music a little, then pick the version that keeps every word easy to understand.

Confirm the aspect ratio fits the placements you selected so the ad looks clean and intentional. Keep key text, logos, and faces inside safe zones so the interface does not crop them on Reels, Stories, and Feed. Use the placement preview to confirm the audio plays where you plan to run, then adjust before you submit.

The ad review process

Meta runs an automated review that checks each ad and related business assets against its policies before delivery starts. During this step, Ads Manager shows the status as “In review,” and Meta says the process usually finishes within 24 hours, with some reviews taking longer. Meta can also review the same ad again after it goes live.

The review looks for policy violations across the full ad package, not only the music layer. The review checks the full creative package, including images, video, and text, plus the audience and targeting you choose. It can also include the landing page or destination your ad sends people to.

Separate from the ad itself, the system reviews your Business Account and the connected assets, such as ad accounts, Pages, and user access. That includes ad accounts, Pages, and user accounts tied to the same business setup. Meta takes action when it sees policy issues tied to the account or its assets, even when a single ad looks clean.

When Meta finds a violation, Meta rejects the ad and can restrict the Business Account or specific assets, which blocks advertising across Meta technologies. Meta also says lower-quality ads can see weaker delivery, even when they meet policy rules. When this happens, Meta tells you to edit the ad or build a new one for a fresh review, or request another review through Account Quality when you think the decision missed the mark.

Why are some ads approved, then rejected

Meta’s Advertising Standards set the rules every advertiser must follow to run ads across Meta platforms. These rules aim to protect people from poor ad experiences and help businesses build trust through clear, policy-safe creatives. Meta applies these standards using automated review systems, with human reviewers who help improve accuracy and handle some cases.

An approval does not lock an ad forever, because Meta can select previously approved ads for another review. People’s actions can trigger that extra look, including hiding an ad, blocking it, reporting it, or leaving other negative feedback signals. These signals can suggest that the first review missed an issue or that the context changed after launch.

Meta lists several reasons an ad can enter review again, including random checks that help maintain accuracy. Meta also points to unusually high engagement paired with reports, blocks, or hides as another trigger for review. Edits to a running ad also send it back through review, and Meta sends a notification when the system finds a violation and stops delivery.

Fix a rejected ad fast

Open Business Support Home and copy the exact rejection reason. Match that reason to the related rule in Meta’s Advertising Standards so you work from the same language as the reviewer. This keeps you focused and helps you choose the right fix on the first try.

Scan the usual triggers so you can spot the real cause in minutes. Check legal compliance for your country, check targeting for discrimination risk, and check any claim that could read as misleading. Then review the destination link because a landing page can trigger rejection even when the creative looks fine.

Decide whether you should edit this ad or rebuild it as a new one. Edit when one component caused the problem, like the headline, the video, the audience, or the landing page. Publish the edit and expect a fresh review, so treat it like a new submission.

Build a new ad when the edit controls block your format or when you want a clean reset. Keep the rejected ad until you finish your decision because you may need it for a review request. If you see repeated rejections, slow down and tighten your process because account restrictions can follow severe or repeated violations.

Request another review when the decision looks wrong and cite the exact policy line in your explanation. Keep your message short and factual and attach or reference your proof when relevant. Track the review in Business Support Home and continue only after you see the new decision.

FAQs

Quick answers to the issues creators hit when they try to run Instagram ads with music.

Where is the “Add music” option in Ads Manager, and when does it show up?

Meta places the control at the ad level, inside Ad creative, where you can tick Add music and open the Creative Editor to pick a track. You can choose an automatic music option or select music from Meta’s catalog, then preview and save your choice. If you do not see the control, use the editor-first workflow and upload a finished video with music baked in.

Why did Meta mute my song and swap in different music on my sponsored post?

This usually happens when the system cannot clear the audio you supplied for the paid placement, or when your creative uses a workflow that applies music automatically. In Ads Manager, open the ad and review the Ad creative music settings so you can control whether the system applies music automatically or you select it yourself. If you need full control, export a finished video from your editor with licensed music and upload that file as the creative.

Why did my boosted Instagram post get random music, and how do I prevent it?

Boosting runs through a simpler path than a full Ads Manager build, so you can lose control over audio choices when the placement changes during delivery. Move the workflow into Ads Manager so you can set music inside Ad creative, or switch to an editor-first export where the final file contains the exact audio you want. For the safest Meta-native lane, use Sound Collection music for commercial use, like ads, and keep your preview checks tight before publishing.

Keep Control After You Hit Publish

Music problems in ads rarely come from editing skills. They come from the wrong lane, weak previews, or missing paperwork. Choose your source first, pick Ads Manager or editor-first, then verify placements on mobile. Save a proof pack and keep approvals and spending under control.

Author: Dragan Plushkovski

Hey there! I’m the founder of Audiodrome and a longtime creative in the digital product space. I’ve worked on over 60 product launches, managed video and music production workflows, and now help creators find the perfect royalty-free tracks for their content.

I understand how the law works behind the content we create, because I’ve spent years dealing with it firsthand. Alongside building Audiodrome, I’ve worked as a licensed forensic accountant and run a trademark protection agency, so I know what it takes to stay compliant, protect your content, and avoid the traps that catch so many creators off guard.

You can also find my work at mojbrend.mk (trademark protection, Macedonian) and plushkovski.com (forensic accounting, Macedonian). Read More

Audiodrome was created by professionals with deep roots in video marketing, product launches, and music production. After years of dealing with confusing licenses, inconsistent music quality, and copyright issues, we set out to build a platform that creators could actually trust.

Every piece of content we publish is based on real-world experience, industry insights, and a commitment to helping creators make smart, confident decisions about music licensing.

Resources

Instagram Help Center – Boost an Instagram Reel (music limits and “use royalty-free music like Sound Collection” guidance) Instagram Help Center – Boosting Reels shared to Facebook (boosting constraints that can affect your workflow) Instagram Help Center – Copyright on Instagram (what you’re responsible for when you post content) Instagram Help Center – Troubleshoot boosting content and ads (common setup and delivery issues) U.S. Copyright Office – Circular 56A (musical composition vs. sound recording) U.S. Copyright Office – Definitions (core copyright terms in plain language) U.S. Copyright Office – Circular 50 (copyright registration for musical compositions)

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