Trending Reels Songs: How to Find Popular Sounds
Ever wondered how to find trending audio on Instagram? Don’t worry. We’ve got you. Here are the best ways to find the top trending audio for your next Reel.
Posted 8 months ago
Written by
Mackenzie TaylorPosted 8 months ago
Reels are all the rage over on Instagram at the moment, and they’re one of the best ways to boost your stats on the app.
Want more followers? Create a Reel. Want more engagement? Create a Reel. It really is that simple (sort of). I say sort of because it’s not just a matter of creating Reels, it’s a matter of creating Reels that hit people’s timelines and feeds. And how do you do that? By using trending Reels sounds.
“Mackenzie, how do I find these trending sounds?”
I’m so glad you asked! Today, I’ll be breaking down what trending sounds are, how to find them, and which ones to choose for your Reel to hit it big.
Jump to a section ✨
- Bookmark Flick’s trending Reels post
- Join Flick’s Facebook group
- Scroll the Reels tab
- Look through the Instagram music library
- Find relevant sounds with hashtags
- @Creators trend page
- Follow Instagram Reels trend accounts
- Use the Audio Tab on Explore Page
- Check out what’s trending in music apps
- Instagram’s Trending Sounds Tab
- Browse Instagram Reels templates
- Check out “Reels” and “TikTok” playlists
- Get ideas from TikTok
What are Instagram Reels?
We cover Instagram Reels a lot on the Flick blog.
If you’re looking for an in-depth guide to Instagram Reels in general, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for a more targeted guide to understanding Instagram Reels Insights, we’ve got you covered there as well.
For the purpose of this post, let’s do a quick refresher on what Reels are. Instagram Reels are short, sub-90-second videos with sound that you can create, edit and share on the app. You can also choose to add in sounds from Instagram’s community-generated library, your device, or from a third-party music app (like Spotify).
What are trending sounds on Instagram Reels?
A trending sound or audio on Instagram Reels means that the song or sound is growing in popularity and the time to jump on that song is NOW. You’ll notice when a song is trending by the little up arrow next to the audio’s name.
Can business accounts use trending sounds?
As we all know, business accounts can’t use certain music on their Instagram Stories due to licensing issues. The same is said for Reels, however, there are a few sneaky ways around this.
When looking for trending sounds for your Reel, always be on the lookout for “original audio” as that is free for you to use as a business or brand online. However, we would sway on the side of caution when using original audio that has actual songs. While the sound is considered “original,” it might be taking some liberal approaches to copyright infringement.
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What are the benefits of using trending sounds on Instagram Reels?
Increased visibility
When it comes to Reels, sounds are one of the most important components. Not only does it catch users’ attention, but it also acts like a hashtag of sorts.
If a sound is trending, other users are more likely to come across your Reel when searching for that sound. All they need to do is click on the sound link from a Reel that catches their attention, and they’ll be taken to a page filled with Reels that also use it.
Easy access to new audiences
Instagram’s algorithm is always looking for opportunities to promote your Reel and show it to new audiences. By using trending sounds, you’re giving the algorithm the perfect opportunity to do just that.
How so?
Whenever someone engages with a Reel that uses the same trending sound as yours, your Reel is much more likely to appear in their feed. This gives you a better chance of catching their attention and getting them to follow your account.
More relatable content
Say what you will about hopping on trends, but there’s a reason things start trending in the first place—people like them!
People are naturally drawn to content that’s relatable and familiar. So, by using trending sounds, you’re taking advantage of that natural inclination. This makes your content more engaging and may help you get more shares as well.
How to find trending audio on Instagram Reels
Bookmark Flick’s trending Reels post
If you want a weekly round-up of the best trending Instagram Reels audio, you’ll want to check out this blog post and bookmark it for later! We keep it updated each week with new and trending sounds. We always make sure each audio can be used for both business and personal use.
Join Flick’s Facebook group
Also, be sure to join our Facebook group, The Social Hub! Each and every week, we give a long list of trending audio and sounds that you can use on your own Instagram account.
Plus, you get to be part of a community of fellow social-savvy business owners, influencers, and content creators who all share the same goal—creating awesome content! It’s a great place to get feedback on the sound you pick and tips from other Reels pros.
Scroll the Reels tab
Okay, let’s get to the Instagram-based suggestions!
If you’re trying to find a trending song on Instagram, one of the best places to go is the place where all Reels live: the Reels tab. As you scroll, check the bottom of each of the Reels where you can see the title of the audio. Next to the audio name, you’ll either see an arrow or a music note. If there is an arrow next to the audio, the audio is trending! Click the audio and you can either save it for later or use it immediately.
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Look through the Instagram music library
The next method to find trending soundtracks is to use the Reel music library.
When crafting a Reel in the Instagram app, you can tap on the music symbol and open up Instagram’s massive music library. Here you’ll find a ton of suggested songs specifically tailored to your account, as well as a search bar you can use to look for any kind of sound or song.
One big disadvantage is that there’s no indication to show if a song is trending. But as a rule of thumb, if a song gets suggested to you here—it’s pretty big on Instagram.
Find relevant sounds with hashtags
Finding a trending sound is easy. Finding a trending sound that works well for your niche … that’s a bit more difficult.
One simple way to do this is by using Instagram’s hashtag search to narrow things down to your niche (e.g., #makeup or #beautyinfluencer). Then, just click on the Reels tab and browse until you find a sound that’s compelling (and trending).
If you’re not sure which hashtags to target, Flick can help! Our Hashtag Tool helps you find, manage, and use the most relevant hashtags for your content. Plus, you can save the hashtag set to quickly apply it whenever you need it!
@Creators trend page
The @creators page on Instagram highlights the top trends for the week. Every Friday, the account shares its top trends and audio for the week, along with its favorite creators that are using the audio and how to use the audio for yourself. The page also highlights some of its top tips on how to make Reels go viral and how to get the most out of each and every video you publish.
Follow Instagram Reels trend accounts
Yes, there are entire Instagram accounts dedicated to creating and highlighting trending reels audio, and sounds for you. If you’re trying to quickly find audio that is trending, your best source is these accounts helping to highlight which ones are and are on the cusp of hitting it big. Some of our favorite accounts to follow are YourSocialTeam, B_squared, and us!
Use the Audio Tab on Explore Page
There is now a new(ish) feature on the Explore Page where you can now search for specific audio content. Go to the Explore Page and search for a specific artist or song that you like. Click the Audio tab at the top and from here, you can click through to the audio to see if any of the songs you want to use are trending or not.
Check out what’s trending in music apps
Why not go straight to the source for your songs? Lots of music streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music have a “trending” playlist that filters out the most popular songs. Just grab one of those songs, and you’ll surely have trending audio that will work for your Reel!
If you’re looking for specific playlists, here are a few suggestions:
- Today’s Top Hits (Spotify)
- Today’s Hits (Apple Music)
Alternatively, sites like Billboard are great for finding out which songs are trending right now.
Instagram’s Trending Sounds Tab
Instagram recently rolled out a new feature where you can see all the songs and sounds that are currently trending all in one place! While you scroll through Reels, click any sound that is trending at the bottom of the Reel (remember—the trending sounds are the ones with the arrow next to it!).
On the audio page, it will inform you how high that audio is trending. Click on the “# in trending” and you will be taken to a page with all the current trending audios.
Browse Instagram Reels templates
Another easy way to find audio that is trending is to use Instagram Reels templates. Go to your Reels and click on the camera icon in the right corner. From there, you’ll see “templates” at the bottom. Slide to that tab and you’ll discover a “Trending” section.
And that’s it! You have an easy-to-use template and a song that is trending or starting to trend on the app!
Check out “Reels” and “TikTok” playlists
This is a sneaky little trick—but on pretty much every music streaming service, you can find playlists dedicated to tending Reels and TikTok sounds. Search for “Reels” or “TikTok” on Spotify or Apple Music, and you’ll have a curated list of songs at your disposal that you can start searching for on Instagram.
Here are two of our favorites:
- Instagram Reels – Top Trending 2023 (Spotify)
- TikTok Songs 2023 – Viral Hits (Apple Music)
Get ideas from TikTok
Yes, it’s true when people say that Reels are a few weeks behind. Because the number of songs and sounds that go viral on TikTok tends to make it over to Instagram Reels a few weeks later—Negroni … Sbagliato … with prosecco, anyone?
If you’re looking for trend ideas, look to see what’s currently working over on TikTok and how you can utilize that sound in the future. We recommend bookmarking the sound and creating a video. Then, when (and if) the sound makes it to Reels, you’re ready to go!
How to create Reels using trending Instagram Reels sounds
Once you have your audio sorted, it’s time to start creating content. Here are a few tips for putting together amazing Reels:
1. Understand the trend
You don’t have to copy the trend entirely, but if it’s a viral one, you’ll want to make sure you’re in the loop and understand why the sound is popular and how it’s being used.
Check out the Reels tab for the sound in question to see how others use it. This will help you make content that fits the trend and doesn’t come off as out-of-touch or confusing.
2. Plan your content
Whenever you create content, it’s important to plan ahead and think about the story you want to tell. Have a few ideas of what visuals you want to include and how you’ll incorporate the audio.
You don’t have to make a full plan for every Reel, but planning a few aspects of your content will help you feel more confident going into the filming and editing process.
3. Get filming
Now, it’s time to head to the set (i.e., your bedroom) and start filming. This is where you’ll bring your concept to life, so make sure everything is set up and ready to go.
Remember to try different angles and shots to make your Reel look more professional and ensure there’s enough footage to work with during the editing process.
4. Add hashtags
To make your content discoverable, it’s essential to include relevant hashtags. Look through the Reels tab for similar videos and see which hashtags are being used. This will help you target the right audience and make your Reel more visible on Instagram.
Alternatively, Flick can help you identify the best hashtags for your Reel. Our Hashtag Discovery tool makes it easy to find trending and relevant hashtags that will help your content stand out.
5. Edit and upload
Now it’s time to put everything together in the editing suite! We recommend using an app like InShot to piece together your clips, add music and effects, and create a professional-looking Reel.
Once you’re satisfied with your Reel, it’s ready to be uploaded!
If you want to schedule the upload for a later date, Flick has you covered. Our Scheduler is the perfect tool for scheduling Posts, Reels, and Stories to ensure your content is posted at the right time.
Instagram Reels Sounds FAQs
How do I find trending Reel sounds?
To find trending Reel sounds on Instagram, use these built-in features:
- Search hashtags
- Follow trend accounts
- Browse the Audio tab
- Explore the Explore page
You can also check what’s trending on music apps like Spotify and Apple Music and explore “Reel” and “TikTok” playlists. Lastly, you can get ideas from TikTok, which is often ahead of the curve on trending audio.
How do I save trending sounds for later?
To save a sound, open the Sounds page, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, and click “Save”. When you want to use the sound, find it in the Saved Sounds section. You can also save a sound to use in a video quickly by saving the entire Reel.
Want to learn more about how to make the best possible Instagram Reels for your account?
Click here for our top tips on making incredible Reels. And the best part? After you have finished making your Reel, you can schedule it over on your Flick account, so you don’t have to worry about ever missing a single post again.
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