why can't i search music on instagram

Why Can’t I Search For Music On Instagram?

Instagram is a great place to share photos and videos with your friends, but what if you want to find a specific song? Unfortunately, you can’t search for music on Instagram. In this blog post, we will explore the reason why Instagram doesn’t allow users to search for music, and we will also discuss some possible workarounds. Thanks for reading!

Why Can’t I Search For Music On Instagram?

Instagram doesn’t allow you to search for music because it wants users to focus on the images and videos posted on the platform, not on the songs. By not allowing users to search for music, Instagram can keep people engaged with its own content rather than with other platforms or services.

The History Of Music Sharing On Instagram

  • Music has been an integral part of Instagram since its inception in 2010. Early users had the ability to add music to their posts, with song snippets from a limited selection provided by the service.
  • In 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram and rolled out the ability to link music from popular streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music.
  • In 2016, Instagram announced a partnership with Shazam, which allowed users to identify songs in their posts by simply tapping on the song title.
  • The same year, Instagram added an in-app music library of over 50 million songs and soundtracks, which allowed users to search for and add music to their posts.
  • In 2018, Instagram launched its own in-app music store with integrated curated playlists from different music streaming services.
  • A few months later, it added the ability for users to upload their own music to the service.
  • In 2019, Instagram introduced a new feature called “Music Stories,” which allowed users to share songs with their followers in a Story format.
  • The same year, it also rolled out its “Instagram Music Player,” which enabled users to search for and play music directly from their Instagram feed.

Why Did Instagram Decide To Remove The Feature?

  1. To protect copyright: Instagram doesn’t want to be held liable for any copyright infringement, so they decided to remove the feature.
  2. To reduce spam and fake accounts: By removing music searches, Instagram can better monitor and control fake or spam accounts.
  3. To prevent misuse of copyrighted material: Sharing music without permission from its creators can be construed as copyright infringement and can put Instagram in legal trouble.
  4. To reduce the amount of data stored: Music searches require large amounts of storage, so by removing it, Instagram reduces its costs.
  5. To improve the user experience: By removing music searches, users are less likely to be bombarded with spam or fake content.
  6. To reduce user distraction: Music searches can be seen as a source of distraction, which may lead users to spend more time on Instagram than is beneficial for them.
  7. To optimize the content discovery process: Removing music searches allows Instagram to focus on curating content relevant to users and their interests.
  8. To discourage illegal downloading: Music searches can be used to download copyrighted material, which Instagram doesn’t condone illegally.
  9. To reduce server load: Music searches require a lot of resources, so removing them can help improve the performance of Instagram’s servers.
  10. To comply with privacy regulations: Removing music searches makes it easier for Instagram to comply with data protection laws and regulations.

Alternatives To Finding Music On Instagram

SoundCloud: SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform that allows users to upload, record, promote and share their original music. It is free to use and offers a huge selection of songs from both independent and popular artists. You can search for music by artist or genre, and you can even create your own custom playlists.

Apple Music: Apple Music is a popular streaming music service that offers more than 60 million songs. You can access it through the web or through its dedicated mobile app, and it lets you browse by artist, mood, genre, featured playlists, and more.

Spotify: Spotify is a digital music service that allows you to listen to millions of songs from any device, including your phone, tablet, or computer. It’s free to use and offers a personalized music experience with access to over 50 million songs. You can also create custom playlists and follow artists.

YouTube Music: YouTube Music is a streaming service that allows you to listen to millions of songs for free. It also has a dedicated app, which you can use to discover new music and access your favorite songs. The service offers personalized playlists and radio stations, as well as recommendations based on your listening habits.

Although searching for music on Instagram is no longer an option, there are still plenty of other ways that you can find the latest tunes and listen to your favorite artists. With the help of these alternatives, you can stay up to date on the latest music releases and keep discovering new songs.

The Bottom Line

Instagram is no longer a place to search for music, but there are still many options available that allow you to listen to your favorite songs and discover new music. Whether you choose to use SoundCloud, Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music—you can find the songs that you’re looking for and enjoy them on any device.

Jason Buckner
Jason Buckner is a technical writer and content creator. He has a passion for helping people understand complex topics, and he enjoys using his writing skills to make information more accessible. Jason is also an experienced software engineer, and he brings a unique perspective to his writing. When he's not working, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.