There are a few main reasons why music may not be available to use on Reels for some Instagram accounts. This usually comes down to licensing restrictions based on the account’s location or type.
Location-Based Music Licensing
One of the most common reasons that some accounts can’t access certain songs for Reels is due to geographic music licensing restrictions. Record labels and music publishers have complex licensing agreements in place that dictate the countries and territories where they have the rights to distribute and monetize certain songs. So if you are in a country where Instagram doesn’t have the license to use a particular song for Reels, you won’t be able to find and use that song in the Reels audio gallery.
For example, an artist’s record label may have only cleared the rights to use a song in Reels in the United States and Canada. If you’re trying to use that song for a Reel in Australia or India, you won’t be able to find or select it from the Reels music library even if you can listen to the full song in your region on streaming services.
The music licensing landscape is constantly evolving, so the Reels catalog changes over time as Instagram negotiates expanded licensing deals. But geographic restrictions are usually the reason that popular or trending songs are missing from the Reels music library in certain countries.
Account Type Restrictions
In addition to location, the type of Instagram account you have can also impact your ability to use certain Reels audio tracks. This is because Instagram has separate licensing rules for personal accounts and business/creator accounts.
Personal accounts have access to a more limited library of Reels music compared to business and creator accounts. This is because of the commercial usage rights involved if a brand or influencer with a business profile uses a popular song commercially in a Reel.
So you may find that songs you can access for Reels on your personal Instagram account are grayed out or unavailable when you try to use them from your business account. The business account Reels music catalog is restricted to songs that rightsholders have cleared for commercial usage.
Copyright-Protected Content
In some cases, you may not be able to find a specific song for Reels because it is copyright-protected content that is not licensed for use in Reels at all. This applies to both personal and business accounts.
Record labels or publishers can choose not to clear certain songs for use in Reels if they believe it undermines the song’s commercial value. So just because you can find a song on Spotify or Apple Music does not automatically mean it is approved for use in Instagram Reels.
Instagram only displays music in the Reels audio gallery if it has been explicitly approved and licensed by rightsholders. Otherwise, unauthorized usage could lead to copyright issues.
Original Audio Restrictions
Instagram also has restrictions around using the original audio from other users’ Reels and videos in your own Reels. You are only able to reuse someone else’s original Reels audio if they have approved “Use Audio” in their settings.
If you try to select original audio from another user’s Reel to use in your own Reel, but see a message saying “Audio Unavailable,” it means the creator has not enabled permission to reuse their original audio.
You will need to find another audio track or create your own original audio to avoid infringing on that user’s rights and receiving a copyright violation.
Appealing Blocked Music
If you believe certain music has been incorrectly blocked or restricted for your Reels, Instagram does provide an appeals process. You can submit a request to review the restrictions on a particular song if you have the legal rights to use it.
Keep in mind that personal accounts generally do not have the rights to commercially release cover songs. But if you own the master recording rights or have permission directly from the label, you can appeal the block.
Submitting an appeal does not guarantee the music restrictions will be lifted. But Instagram will review your request and evidence of rights ownership to determine if the song can be approved for your account’s Reels use.
Tips for Finding Reels Music
Here are some tips for locating music to use in Reels within the licensing limitations:
- Browse trending songs marked with a fire icon rather than searching for specific songs, which may be restricted in your region.
- Use Instagram’s suggested audio and hashtags like #ReelsMusic to find available tracks.
- Opt for cover songs labeled “Cover” rather than original recordings, which have fewer usage rights.
- Create your own Reels audio using original vocals or instrumentation.
- Use audio from Reels that have “Use Audio” enabled to legally reuse original music.
Why Restrictions Exist
While it can be frustrating to find music unavailable for your Reels, the licensing restrictions exist to protect copyrights and ensure fair usage.
Without obtaining proper licenses, unauthorized usage of songs in Reels could undermine music sales and distribution models. Restrictions also give rights holders control over where and how songs generate commercial value.
Licensing limitations provide necessary protections and incentives for artists, songwriters and rights holders to keep producing music. So despite the barriers it can create for creators, a restricted Reels music catalog ultimately aims to serve the long-term interests of the music community.
As Instagram continues negotiating with labels and publishers, the music selection available for Reels will hopefully expand over time. But geographic and account-based restrictions are likely to remain in place as long as licensing agreements are segmented by region and commercial usage.
Understanding the nuances around Reels audio licensing can help you locate songs available for your region and account type. If you run into issues finding music to use, focus on trending tracks, original audio and covers until wider licensing deals unlock greater possibilities.