As an independent artist, using Instagram ads to promote your music can be a game-changer—when done strategically. But with so many variables to consider, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Should you promote a new release or an older track? How long should you run ads? And is it really just about driving streams?

At SongTools, we’ve helped countless artists use digital ads effectively with SongFly, our social ads automation tool. Based on real-world data, we’re answering some of the most common questions about running Instagram ads for music.

For How Long Should I Run Digital Ads for My Music?

We recommend running ads for at least 10 to 15 days. Here’s why:

• Meta’s algorithm (which powers Instagram and Facebook ads) needs time to learn who is most likely to engage with your music.
• Shorter campaigns often result in higher ad costs and lower effectiveness since they don’t give the system enough time to optimize.
• After the first 7 days, you’ll start to see clearer patterns—what’s working and what’s not—which allows you to make data-backed adjustments.

💡 Pro Tip: If you're on a tight budget, you can start with a small test (more on this below) and then invest more once you see what’s working.

How Do I Choose Which Track to Promote?

Instead of guessing which song will perform best, test multiple tracks using an A/B testing approach.

With SongFly, you can easily test two or more tracks simultaneously with budgets as small as $30 per track. After a few days, you’ll start to see which track is getting more engagement and clicks.

Once you identify the best-performing song, you can then double down your full budget on that track, ensuring your money goes where it will have the biggest impact.

💡 Pro Tip: A song that performs well in ads is likely more “sticky” for new listeners, meaning it has a higher chance of converting casual listeners into real fans.

But Shouldn’t I Be Investing in Growing All My Music?

A common misconception is that ads should be about driving streams for every song. While that may sound ideal, it’s not the most effective approach.

The real goal of running digital ads is not just streaming numbers—it’s fan discovery.

Think about it this way: A successful campaign doesn’t just get people to listen to one song. It introduces them to you as an artist.

Once a listener is drawn in by a promoted track, they’re more likely to:
✔️ Follow you on streaming platforms
✔️ Check out your other songs
✔️ Follow you on social media
✔️ Engage with future releases

💡 Pro Tip: The best artists don’t just chase streams—they build an audience that sticks around.

Does the Promoted Track Need to Be a New Release?

No! While promoting a new release can be a great way to generate momentum, we’ve seen plenty of successful campaigns that revive older catalog tracks.

Some of the best strategies include:

• Pushing a fan-favorite song that already has organic traction
• Reactivating a strong catalog song that deserves more attention
• Using a well-performing track to attract new fans before an upcoming release

💡 Pro Tip: The best song to promote isn’t necessarily your newest—it’s the one that’s most likely to hook new listeners.

What Is the Impact of Ads on Streaming?

While no one knows exactly how the Spotify algorithm works, we’ve consistently observed that tracks receiving external traffic from ads (like SongFly campaigns) tend to perform better in Spotify’s algorithmic playlists.

Here’s what often happens:
1️⃣ A promoted track gets more inbound traffic from Instagram ads.
2️⃣ Listeners engage with the track, saving it to their playlists or replaying it.
3️⃣ Spotify notices this external engagement and may start recommending the song in algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly, Radio, and Release Radar.

💡 Pro Tip: Even a modest ad campaign can boost your visibility in ways that go beyond direct streams.

Final Thoughts: The Smart Way to Run Instagram Ads for Music

Instagram ads can be an incredibly powerful tool for independent artists—if used correctly. Instead of blindly boosting posts, run smart, data-driven campaigns that focus on:

✅ Testing multiple tracks before committing your full budget
✅ Giving Meta’s algorithm time to learn (at least 10–15 days)
✅ Focusing on fan discovery rather than just stream growth
✅ Leveraging both new releases and catalog songs
✅ Driving external traffic that can help boost streaming performance

At SongTools, we make this process easier with SongFly, our automated ad tool that helps you launch and optimize Instagram and Facebook ads with ease.

🚀 Ready to grow your music the right way? Try SongFly today