A track is available in the app and the Reel is published. Later, the company wants it in advertising or on its website. Audio availability during editing does not establish permission for that use.
Check music before approving the edit. Describe planned placements, then establish a confirmed basis for using the specific work and recording.
Describe the use scenario
Specify who publishes, where the video appears and whether it receives paid promotion. List the profile, ad account, website and other platforms separately.
Record markets, use duration and planned versions: shorter cuts, languages, voiceovers and adaptations. One video can have several uses to check against the source's terms.
Goals and file differences appear in Reels for advertising and organic posts. These differences may affect permitted music use.
Distinguish sources and access terms
Meta's help describes Instagram's standard licensed music library as intended for personal, non-commercial use and Sound Collection as allowing commercial scenarios, including ads. See the official music library help.
Before choosing, check current terms for the source, account and placement. Do not extend Meta permission to a website or another platform without confirmation.
For third-party libraries, request the relevant licence and check client-work coverage. “Free” and “royalty-free” alone do not define every permitted channel and restriction.
Check the musical work and recording
A composition and its recording may have different rights holders. Including recorded music in video requires checking the relevant rights, not simply finding a file. See WIPO's audiovisual rights clearance guide.
For commissioned music, agree use in the contract. Payment should not leave channels, advertising, client handover or permitted changes unclear.
If permission scope is uncertain, ask the supplier or a specialist. Do not treat a short excerpt or author credit as independent confirmation of the necessary rights.
Keep evidence with the project
Record track title, author, source and identifier. Retain the licence, applicable terms when obtained and licensee information.
Connect evidence with the project and file versions. The team should know which music is approved for which use rather than recall similar names from memory.
Assign a checker. If the agency obtains music for a client, agree beforehand who acquires permission and which documents accompany the video.
Check the final version and placement changes
Illustrative example. A company selects music under terms allowing profile posts but not paid advertising. To promote the Reel, it checks extended permission or prepares a version with another track. A published original does not replace that check.
Listen to the actual export: track, excerpt and processing should match approval. Check speech intelligibility and audio quality too.
Recheck terms when the source or placement changes. Include music and materials in Reels editing acceptance. An unverified track should remain marked “clarification required”.
A music record for the video
- Track, recording, source and identifier.
- Company or client receiving the video.
- Channels, advertising, markets and use period.
- Permitted versions and changes.
- Documents, terms and check date.
- Owner and outstanding questions.
- Files using the approved music.
Discuss scripts and audio requirements through the Reels production offer. Agree music selection, licensing and evidence handover for specific placements before releasing the video.