For a real estate business, the safest music for reels is Meta’s Sound Collection, a royalty-free library you have licensed yourself, or your own audio. Chart songs from Instagram’s main library are licensed for personal, non-commercial use, so using them to promote listings can get a reel muted or removed. You can still ride trends: pick a trending track that is cleared for commercial use, or use trending original audio only when the creator owns it and allows reuse.
Why business accounts see fewer songs
Instagram’s main music library comes from deals Meta has with record labels for personal use. To keep commercial use out, Meta says certain business accounts and certain types of posts do not get the full library. Meta’s Music Guidelines go further: using music for commercial purposes is prohibited unless you have the right licences, and you remain responsible for the music in your posts.
Switching your account from Business to Creator may show more songs in the app, but it does not change what you are licensed to do. Promoting a listing is commercial whichever account type you use.
What music can an agent use?
| Audio | Safe for a real estate business? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Sound Collection | Yes | Over 14,000 royalty-free tracks and sounds that Meta says can be used commercially, including ads |
| Royalty-free music you licensed (for example Epidemic Sound, Artlist) | Yes, within the licence | Check the licence names social media and commercial use |
| Music you commissioned or were given in writing | Yes | Keep the written permission |
| Your own voiceover or recorded sound | Yes | You own it |
| Chart songs from the main library | Risky | Licensed for personal, non-commercial use |
| Someone else’s “original audio” | Only with permission | The label means it was uploaded by a user, not that it is licensed |
- Upload photosPhone or photographer
- Pick a styleCamera moves added
- Add brandingLogo, title, contact
- Add musicCatalogue, upload or link
- Export9:16 and 16:9
Can I still use trending music?
Yes, carefully. Three ways to stay on trend without breaking the rules:
- Check the trend in Meta’s Sound Collection. Instrumental versions of popular moods and tempos are often there.
- Use a licensed music library that tracks trends. Paid libraries publish “trending on social” playlists that include commercial use.
- Trend with the format, not the song. Many trends are about the edit, the hook or the joke. You can follow the format with licensed music.
Instagram does treat audio as a ranking signal, but that applies to the sound on your reel, whichever library it came from. There is no published evidence that a chart song is required for reach.
Adding music in Splatr
When Splatr turns your listing photos into a video, you choose the soundtrack: pick a track from the built-in library, which includes trending styles, or upload your own licensed music. The auto-edit gives each clip suitable camera motion and adds motion graphics, so the video feels edited rather than like a slideshow. If you would rather use a Sound Collection track, you can also add it inside Instagram when you post.
Which music suits which property?
- Family homes: warm acoustic or light piano, medium tempo.
- City flats and new builds: upbeat electronic or house, clean and modern.
- Luxury homes: slow cinematic strings or ambient tracks with space in them.
- Rentals and student lets: energetic pop-style instrumentals.
- Country and period homes: folk, guitar or soft orchestral.
Keep the volume below any voiceover, and avoid lyrics if text is on screen; the two compete for attention.
What about MLS and portal videos?
Videos for an MLS, Rightmove or Zoopla are distributed beyond Instagram, so in-app Instagram music does not travel with them. Use music you have licensed yourself, and for an MLS use an unbranded version with no contact details. See how to add a video to an MLS listing.
Quick answers
Can I use copyrighted music in real estate videos?
Not without a licence that covers commercial use. Use royalty-free music, Meta’s Sound Collection, or tracks you have licensed.
Why can’t my business account use popular songs?
Because Meta’s main music library is licensed for personal, non-commercial use, and Meta restricts it for some business accounts.
What is the best music for real estate reels?
Music that matches the property’s mood and that you are licensed to use. Upbeat instrumentals suit most listings; calm piano suits family and luxury homes. For the rest of the edit, see how to make real estate reels.
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