What is Sound Collection for Reels ads?
Sound Collection is Meta's library of rights-cleared, royalty-free songs and sound effects. Instagram's page says it can be used for commercial purposes like ads, and Reels used for ads cannot use licensed music. Meta's pages give different track counts: nearly 16,000 on Facebook, over 14,000 on Instagram.
Sound Collection is where Meta keeps music you can use without a copyright claim. It matters for Reels ads because Instagram says Reels used for ads cannot use licensed music. You use original audio or royalty-free music like Sound Collection instead. Two Meta pages describe the library with different track counts, so this entry gives both.
What is in Sound Collection?
| Point | Facebook page | Instagram page |
|---|---|---|
| Size stated | Nearly 16,000 | Over 14,000 |
| How it is described | Original, high-quality songs and sound effects that are rights-cleared and free to download for use on Facebook | Songs and sounds that are entirely royalty free and safe to use in Reels and Instagram Stories |
The two pages disagree on the count, so treat the number as approximate. Facebook’s page says using Sound Collection means your reel won’t be demonetized or muted for a copyright violation.
Can you use Sound Collection in Reels ads?
Yes, according to Meta’s pages.
- Instagram’s Sound Collection page says the content can be used for commercial purposes like ads.
- Instagram’s Reels ads page says Reels used for ads cannot use licensed music. Use original audio or royalty-free music like Sound Collection.
- Facebook’s monetization page says to use royalty-free audio if you are using a reel for a commercial purpose, such as a brand deal, or plan to boost the post.
- Instagram’s boost page says Reels shouldn’t use licensed music when boosted. Use royalty-free music like Sound Collection, or original audio.
Meta also says it is still possible to get a music rights claim even if you bought, recorded or credited the music. Music labeled royalty-free or in Sound Collection is not subject to rights-holder payout adjustments.
Where do you find Sound Collection?
- On Instagram, use the music sticker in Stories, or tap audio in the Reels camera.
- On Facebook, open the audio library when you upload a reel, on mobile or in Meta Business Suite on desktop. Audio from Sound Collection is labeled royalty-free.
- On desktop, Facebook’s Sound Collection page lets you search by keyword, filter by genre, mood, length, vocals and more, and download tracks and sound effects to use in your own video software. Click the information icon for attribution links.
Instagram’s licensed music library is intended for personal, non-commercial use. Certain business accounts and post types lack access to it, and it may be unavailable in some countries or regions. If your account lacks access, Meta says you may be able to use Sound Collection.
How does music work inside Ads Manager?
In the creative editor or Advantage+ creative, Meta says the music currently available is royalty-free audio from Sound Collection. You can add it in two ways:
- Apply music manually: select up to 5 songs, and Meta uses one of them at delivery.
- Apply music automatically: Meta picks a song based on the content of your ad.
Meta’s page lists Instagram Reels, Stories and Feed placements and single image ads. It says music is not available for Instagram ads that use existing posts, or posts that use Meta Creative Hub.
Does licensed music affect monetization?
On Facebook, licensed music in the audio library may be eligible for monetization earnings shared with a rights holder. Meta says you can only monetize clips that feature less than 90 seconds of applicable licensed music, while royalty-free audio has no such restriction. That is a monetization rule for reels, not a rule for ads.
FAQ
Can you use licensed music in a Reels ad?
No. Meta’s Reels ads page says Instagram Reels used for ads cannot use licensed music. Use original audio or royalty-free music like Sound Collection instead. Meta gives the same guidance for boosted Reels, where licensed music shouldn’t be used either.
Can you choose which song plays in your ad?
Partly. In Ads Manager you can apply music manually by selecting up to 5 songs, and Meta uses one of them at delivery. Or you can apply it automatically, and Meta picks a song based on the ad’s content. Either way, the music comes from Sound Collection.
Where is Sound Collection on Instagram?
Use the music sticker in Stories, or tap audio in the Reels camera. Meta says certain business accounts and post types lack access to the licensed music library, and it may be unavailable in some countries or regions. If your account lacks access, you may be able to use Sound Collection.
Sources
- Use Sound Collection for Reels on Facebook (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Access to the licensed music library on Instagram (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- How to monetize Facebook Reels with music through Facebook content monetization (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Create Instagram Reels ads in Meta Ads Manager (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- How to add music to ads using Ads Manager (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- How to boost Reels shared to Facebook (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
Drafted with AI and checked claim by claim against the pages linked under Sources. Found a mistake? Tell us via the corrections policy.