How to Add Text to Voice on Instagram

Adding a narrator's voice to your Instagram Reels and Stories without recording your own is one of the easiest ways to make your content more engaging and accessible. This built-in text-to-speech feature, also known as the voice generator, turns any text you type directly into audio playback. This article will show you exactly how to use text-to-speech on Instagram and provide some simple strategies for making your narrated videos stand out.

What Exactly is the Text-to-Speech Feature on Instagram?

The text-to-speech function on Instagram is a creative tool that automatically converts text you add to a Reel or Story into a computer-generated voiceover. You've almost certainly heard it before - it’s the same type of voice popular on TikTok, often referred to as the "Siri voice" or "TikTok voice."

When you activate it, your on-screen words are read aloud as the video plays. Instagram offers a couple of different voice options, allowing you to choose one that best fits the tone of your content. This feature launched as a direct response to the massive trend of automated voiceovers, recognizing that creators love having an easy way to add narration and personality to their videos without speaking into a microphone.

Originally a staple of user-generated comedy skits and quick explainers on TikTok, text-to-speech has become a core element of modern short-form video. Instagram has fully integrated it into the Reels editor, making it accessible to everyone building a brand, a community, or just having fun on the platform.

Why You Should Start Using Text-to-Speech in Your Content

At first glance, it might seem like a simple, fun feature. But the automated voice generator is a powerful tool for marketers and creators. Incorporating it into your content strategy can have a real impact on your reach and engagement.

It Massively Improves Accessibility

One of the single greatest benefits of text-to-speech is how it makes your content more accessible. Users with visual impairments can listen to the narration to understand what's happening on screen, getting context that visuals alone can't provide. This opens up your content to a much wider audience and shows that your brand is inclusive. While it doesn't replace the need for clear descriptive captions, it adds an important layer of audio context for those who need it.

It also helps viewers who consume content with the sound off. While on-screen captions are essential here, having the text-to-speech narration available means that a viewer who decides to turn the sound on mid-video will immediately grasp the aural component without having to restart the video.

It Hooks Viewers and Increases Engagement

The robotic, slightly quirky nature of the text-to-speech voice is familiar to social media users. It has a native, user-generated feel that stops the scroll. When viewers hear that voice, they associate it with authentic, off-the-cuff content rather than a polished, high-budget ad. This can lower their guard and make them more likely to watch your video to the end.

More watch time signals to the Instagram algorithm that your content is valuable, which can lead to it being shown to more people. By narrating the action or telling a quick story, you give viewers a reason to stay hooked from the first second to the last.

It Simplifies Narration & Adds Personality

Let's be honest: not everyone loves the sound of their own voice. Many creators, small business owners, and social media managers are hesitant to create video content because they're uncomfortable with recording voiceovers. Text-to-speech is the perfect solution. It lets you add a clear, concise narration without any self-consciousness.

Beyond that, the automated voice can be a character in itself. You can use it to create funny skits, deliver deadpan punchlines, or guide viewers through a tutorial with a neutral, easy-to-understand voice. It allows you to control the tone without relying on your own vocal performance.

How to Add Text to Voice on Instagram Reels: A Step-by-Step Guide

Using the text-to-speech feature in Instagram Reels is straightforward. The entire process takes place inside the Reels editor. Follow these steps, and you'll have a narrated video ready in minutes.

Step 1: Open the Reels Editor

Start by opening the Instagram app. You can access the Reels editor in a few ways:

• Swipe right from your home feed to open the camera, and then select "Reel" at the bottom of the screen.
• Tap the plus icon (+) at the top of your screen or the bottom navigation bar and choose "Reel."

Step 2: Record a New Clip or Upload a Video

Next, you’ll need some video content. You can either record a video directly in the app by holding the record button, or you can upload a pre-made video from your phone's camera roll by tapping the gallery icon in the bottom-left corner.

Once your clip is recorded or uploaded, tap "Next" to move to the main editing screen. This is where you can add music, filters, stickers, and, of course, text.

Step 3: Add Your Text to the Screen

Tap the "Aa" icon at the top of the screen to open the text tool. Type the words you want the automated voice to say. You can change the font, color, and background style of the text just like you would with any other on-screen text.

Don’t worry about fitting everything into one box. You can - and should - create multiple text bubbles for different parts of your narration.

Step 4: Activate the Text-to-Speech Feature

With a text box selected, look for a small text bubble to appear at the bottom-left of your editing screen (or sometimes above your keyboard). Tap on this bubble.

A menu will pop up with the header "Text-to-Speech." Here, you’ll see the option to add an automated voiceover. Tap on the "..." button to pull up more options.

Step 5: Choose Your Preferred Voice

You'll typically see two choices: "Voice 1" (a higher-pitched, traditionally female-sounding voice) and "Voice 2" (a lower-pitched, traditionally male-sounding voice). Tap each one to hear a preview.

Select the voice that best fits the vibe of your video and tap "Done." Instagram will process the audio, and now, when you play your Reel, you'll hear your text read aloud.

Step 6: Adjust the Text and Audio Duration

Once the audio is generated, you have to decide when the text appears on screen and for how long. To do this, tap on the text box at the bottom of the screen. This will bring up the video timeline.

You can drag the ends of the timeline clip for that specific text box to control exactly when it appears and disappears in your video. The automated voice will only play during the duration that the text box is visible. You can repeat this process for multiple text boxes to create a back-and-forth narration.

Step 7: Finalize and Post Your Reel

After adjusting the timing of your text and audio, add any other creative elements like music, stickers, or filters. *A quick tip:* if you use music, be sure to adjust its volume by tapping the music note icon to make sure your text-to-speech voice is loud enough to be heard clearly.

When you're happy with your video, tap "Next," write your caption, add your hashtags, and share your Reel!

Advanced Tips for Creating Better Text-to-Speech Content

Now that you know the basics, let's go over a few simple strategies to make your narrated videos more professional and effective.

Use Multiple, Short Text Bubbles

Instead of creating one long block of text that covers the whole screen, break up your narration into shorter sentences. Create a separate text box for each sentence or phrase. This achieves a few things:

• It's easier to read: Viewers can quickly digest small chunks of information.
• It creates a better rhythm: Having the voice read short lines in sequence feels more conversational and dynamic.
• It gives you more control: You can precisely time each part of the narration to sync with specific actions in your video.

Sync the Audio with Your Visuals

Don't just add a voiceover, make it part of the story. Use the timeline editor to make the voice describe exactly what is happening on screen at that moment. For example, if you're demonstrating three steps in a recipe, have the text "Step 1: Mix the ingredients" appear and be read exactly when you start mixing. This synchronization makes your video feel polished and easy to follow.

Use Creative Punctuation and Spelling for Hilarity

The text-to-speech voice often has a life of its own. It tries to pronounce whatever you type, which you can use for comedic effect. Playing with an intentionally misspelled word can sometimes generate a humorous and viral moment. This little touch adds a layer of personality and wit that can make your Reel more memorable and shareable.

Remember It's Not a Replacement for Captions

While text-to-speech supports accessibility, it doesn't solve for people watching with the sound completely off or for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. You should *always* make sure your script is written out on-screen. Or, even better, use Instagram's auto-caption sticker. Let the text-to-speech voice be the narration, but allow the captions to be the readable guide, giving your audience the best of both worlds.

Final Thoughts

Adding text-to-speech on Instagram is a simple but incredibly effective way to make your content more engaging, accessible, and personable without having to record your own voice. By breaking up your narration, syncing it to your video, and choosing a voice with the right tone, you'll produce high-quality short-form video that resonates with current audiences.

Once you’ve perfected content with features like text-to-speech, the next step is building a smart and efficient content plan. With a platform like Postbase, we make that part easy. You can use our visual content calendar to plan Reel and Story ideas weeks in advance and schedule your videos to publish at the perfect time. Since we're built from the ground up for video formats like Reels and TikToks, you get to manage your entire short-form strategy without the clunky workarounds you'll find in older tools.