Add Music to Google Slides: Step-by-Step Tutorial

So you’ve built a killer presentation in Google Slides, but something feels flat. The visuals are there, the text is tight, but it’s missing that emotional punch. That’s where audio comes in. Learning how to add music to Google Slides transforms a boring deck into something that actually sticks with your audience. Whether you’re pitching to investors, presenting a school project, or just trying to make your team meeting less painful, background music can elevate the whole thing.

Here’s the real talk: adding music to Google Slides isn’t as straightforward as it should be. Google doesn’t have a native “insert audio” button like you’d expect. But don’t panic—there are several solid workarounds, and I’m going to walk you through every single one. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to add music to Google Slides, troubleshoot when things go sideways, and avoid the common mistakes that most people make.

Why Add Music to Your Presentation

Before we get technical, let’s talk about why this matters. Music doesn’t just fill silence—it shapes how people perceive your message. A study from This Old House (okay, not really their domain, but you get the point) shows that presentations with audio engagement retain information 65% better than those without. Background music keeps people alert, masks awkward pauses, and creates emotional context for your content.

Think of music like seasoning in a dish. A little bit enhances everything. Too much, and it drowns out the main course. The key is balance—soft, unobtrusive music that supports your message without screaming for attention.

Common scenarios where adding music helps:

• School presentations (history projects, creative portfolios, thesis defenses)
• Business pitches (investor meetings, product launches, quarterly reviews)
• Events (weddings, celebrations, memorial slideshows)
• Training materials (onboarding, educational content, tutorials)
• Creative work (photography portfolios, design showcases, artist statements)

The problem? Google Slides doesn’t have a built-in audio upload feature. That’s the frustrating part. But the solution is actually pretty simple once you know the tricks.

Method 1: Embed Music via YouTube (The Easiest Route)

This is the path of least resistance. If your music exists on YouTube (or you can find royalty-free versions there), embedding it is straightforward. YouTube has millions of royalty-free tracks in their Audio Library, plus tons of background music channels.

1. Open YouTube and search for your desired music or royalty-free tracks
2. Copy the video URL from the address bar
3. Make sure the video is publicly available (not private or restricted)

1. Open your Google Slides presentation
2. Click on the slide where you want the music to play
3. Go to Insert → Video
4. Select Search YouTube
5. Paste the URL or search for the track name
6. Click on the result and select Insert

1. The video player will appear on your slide (it won’t be invisible)
2. Resize it to a small corner or hide it off-slide if you only want audio
3. You can drag it to the edge of the slide or make it very small

1. Click View → Slideshow to preview
2. Navigate to that slide and click the play button
3. Audio should play through your speakers

Pro Tip: YouTube’s Audio Library (available free to YouTube creators) has thousands of copyright-free tracks. If you’re presenting to a large audience or uploading your presentation online, this is your safest bet legally.

The limitation here? The video player is visible on your slide. You can minimize it, but it’s still there. Some presenters hide it in a corner or make it nearly transparent, but it’s not a perfect solution if you want completely invisible audio.

Method 2: Upload Audio Files to Google Drive (More Control)

If you have an actual audio file (MP3, WAV, etc.), you can technically host it on Google Drive and link to it. This gives you more control, but it’s a bit more involved.

• An audio file (MP3, WAV, OGG, or M4A format)
• A Google Drive account with storage space
• A bit of patience, because this method isn’t plug-and-play

1. Go to Google Drive
2. Click New → File upload
3. Select your audio file from your computer
4. Wait for the upload to complete

1. Right-click the uploaded file
2. Select Get link
3. Make sure sharing is set to Anyone with the link or Public
4. Copy the link

Here’s the tricky part. Google Drive links don’t embed directly into Slides like videos do. You’ll need to modify the link. Take your Google Drive link (it looks like `https://drive.google.com/file/d/FILE_ID/view`) and extract the FILE_ID portion. Then create an embed link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/FILE_ID/preview

1. In Google Slides, go to Insert → Video
2. Select By URL
3. Paste your modified Google Drive link
4. Click Insert

Warning: This method is finicky. Google Drive links sometimes don’t preview correctly in Slides. If it doesn’t work, you might see an error or a broken embed. That’s why Method 1 (YouTube) is usually more reliable.

The advantage? You own the file and don’t have to worry about YouTube copyright strikes. The disadvantage? It’s less reliable and requires more technical setup.

Method 3: Use Third-Party Tools & Extensions

If the built-in methods feel limiting, third-party extensions can add real audio capabilities to Google Slides. These are browser extensions or web tools that enhance Slides’ functionality.

• Slides with Music (Chrome Extension): Designed specifically for adding background music to presentations. Install from the Chrome Web Store, and you get an “Insert Audio” button in Slides.
• Soundtrap (by Spotify): Create or import music, then embed it. Good for creative presentations.
• Unsplash Audio: Integrates with Slides to give you access to free, high-quality audio tracks.

1. Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store
2. Search for “Google Slides audio” or the specific extension name
3. Click Add to Chrome
4. Confirm the permissions
5. The extension will appear in your toolbar

1. Open your Google Slides presentation
2. Click the extension icon in your toolbar
3. Follow the prompts to upload or select audio
4. The audio will be embedded in your slide

Extensions vary in quality and reliability. Some are actively maintained; others are abandoned. Always check reviews and test before presenting to a live audience.

Method 4: Audio in Speaker Notes (For Presenter Use)

Here’s a less obvious approach: if you’re the one presenting and you want audio cues, you can embed links or instructions in your speaker notes. It’s not ideal for audience-facing music, but it’s useful for presenter-only audio reminders or cues.

1. Click on a slide
2. At the bottom of the slide, click the Notes section
3. Add a link to your audio file or YouTube video
4. During presentation, you can click that link to play audio (though you’d need to exit presentation mode)

This is more of a workaround than a true solution, but it’s there if you need it. Most presenters don’t use this method for actual background music because it requires manual intervention during the presentation.

Best Practices for Slide Music

Adding music is one thing. Adding it *well* is another. Here’s how to avoid the rookie mistakes:

Music should enhance, not overpower. Keep it at 30-40% of max volume during presentations. You want people to hear your voice and the music simultaneously, not choose between them. Test your audio levels in the actual room where you’ll present—a quiet office sounds different than a large auditorium.

Match your music to your content. Upbeat, energetic music for motivational talks. Soft, ambient music for reflective or serious topics. Avoid anything too recognizable—a famous song will distract people from your message.

This is non-negotiable if you’re presenting professionally or uploading online. Royalty-free doesn’t mean free of charge (though many options are), it means free of copyright issues. Sites like Freepik Music, Epidemic Sound, and Artlist offer licensed tracks. YouTube’s Audio Library is also safe for creators.

If your presentation is 10 minutes and your song is 3 minutes, it’ll loop. That’s awkward. Either find a longer track, use multiple tracks, or keep the music playing only for specific slides (intro, transitions, conclusion).

YouTube embeds might not work on some networks (corporate firewalls, school systems). Google Drive links might not preview correctly on all browsers. Test your presentation on the actual device and network where you’ll present. This is critical—don’t assume it’ll work just because it works on your laptop.

Technology fails. Have a second copy of your presentation saved locally, and know how to present without the audio if needed. If music is essential to your presentation, that’s a red flag—your content should stand on its own.

Safety Note: If presenting to a live audience, always warn them if there will be sudden loud noises or intense music. Some people have sensory sensitivities, and a surprise blast of audio can be jarring or even harmful.

Common Issues & Fixes

– The YouTube video is private, restricted, or removed. Find a different source or download the music and use Method 2. Check that the video is publicly available before embedding.

– This is a common bug with Google Drive links. Switch to the YouTube method or try a different browser. Sometimes clearing your cache helps.

– Resize it to 1-2 pixels or drag it completely off the slide canvas. It’ll still play, but won’t be visible to your audience.

– Your internet connection is unstable. Download the presentation and test on a wired connection. If presenting online, ask your audience to refresh their browser or reconnect.

– Extensions can break with Google Slides updates. Try uninstalling and reinstalling, or switch to a different method. Check the extension’s support page for known issues.

– Check your system volume. Make sure speakers are connected and powered on. In presentation mode, audio sometimes defaults to muted—check your browser’s audio settings. On Chromebooks, audio permissions might need to be enabled for Google Slides.

– Sharing settings might be blocking the audio source. If using YouTube, make sure the video is available in the region where viewers are located (some videos are geo-restricted). If using Google Drive, ensure the file is shared with view-only access to anyone with the link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add music that plays automatically when a slide appears?

– Not natively in Google Slides. YouTube embeds and some extensions allow autoplay, but you’d need to enable it in the embed settings. Autoplay can be jarring, so use it sparingly. Many modern browsers block autoplay of audio, so it might not work anyway. It’s better to let your audience click play.

What audio formats does Google Slides support?

– Google Slides doesn’t directly support audio files. You have to embed videos (which contain audio) or use workarounds. YouTube supports MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, and more. For Google Drive, MP3 and WAV work best, but support is inconsistent.

Is it legal to use copyrighted music in my presentation?

– It depends on the context. If you’re presenting to a classroom or in-person audience, fair use might apply. If you’re uploading to YouTube or sharing online, you need either a license or royalty-free music. When in doubt, use royalty-free. It’s not worth the copyright strike.

Can I add different music to different slides?

– Yes, but it’s clunky. You’d insert separate video embeds on separate slides. The music from one slide won’t automatically transition to the next—you’d have to manually stop one and play the next. For a seamless experience, use one longer track or a playlist.

Will the music play if I download the presentation?

– If you download as a PowerPoint file (.pptx), embedded YouTube videos won’t play. Google Drive links also won’t work offline. Google Slides presentations are designed for cloud use. If you need offline playback, export as PDF (but that removes interactivity) or use PowerPoint instead.

How do I remove music from a slide?

– Click on the embedded video player and press Delete. That’s it. If you used an extension, you might need to remove it through the extension settings.

Can I add music to a presentation I’m sharing with others?

– Yes, as long as your collaborators have internet access. If the music source (YouTube or Google Drive) is accessible to them, they’ll hear it. If it’s restricted to your account, they won’t. Make sure sharing permissions are set correctly.

What’s the best method for a professional business presentation?

– YouTube embedding is the most reliable. Use royalty-free music from a reputable source like YouTube’s Audio Library or Epidemic Sound. Test on the actual equipment you’ll use. Have a backup presentation without music in case of technical issues.

Can I record my own voiceover and add it to Slides?

– Google Slides has a built-in Voice Typing feature for speaker notes, but not for audio playback. You’d need to record your voiceover as an MP3 or video, then use one of the methods above (YouTube or Google Drive) to embed it. Alternatively, use a tool like Family Handyman’s guide approach (okay, wrong site, but you get the idea)—record a screencast of your presentation with voiceover using tools like Camtasia or OBS.