It is quite common knowledge that if you really want your Instagram account to grow, getting that viral Reel is essential!
There are so many ways to create a viral Reel and choosing trending audio on Instagram is probably one of the easiest ways to do it.
It’s just another thing to learn and get your head around though, isn’t it? I often find that choosing audio for my Reel is one of the hardest things to do when creating content for Instagram.
I’m often torn between audio that goes really well with the Reel subject, audio that I personally love and audio that I hear on Instagram time and time again.
I don’t want to be a sheep but all the evidence out there suggests, we do have to follow the Reel flock!
How to find trending audio on Instagram
There are literally millions of songs and audio to choose from on Instagram, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. So, if you want to get that coveted viral reel, where do you start?
Here are some ideas on how to find trending audio on Instagram.
Look for the arrow
The quickest and easiest way to find trending audio on Instagram? Look for the arrow! At the bottom of a Reel, if there is a little arrow next to the song title, it means that this audio is currently trending. If I see audio I like, I always save it.
However, try and use it in the next couple of days because if it has a little arrow next to it, it means it’s trending now.
Scroll the Reels tab
This is probably the method I use the most. I actually don’t go on the Reel tab a lot; I am an old-school Instagrammer and still prefer the main feed.
However, I often go to the Reels tab just before I am about to post a Reel to see what audio pops up over and over again and find any viral reels.
In fact, this can sometimes give me an idea for a Reel, like my IKEA Malm hack transformation.
More on Instagram Reels >>>
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Tap on “see more” in Audio
Have you created your Reel and still don’t know what music to use?
If you upload your video in Reels and tap on reels audio, you will find “see more” in the top right-hand corner. This is what Instagram is recommending to you and normally means it’s a trending audio.
Check Instagram stories
Equally, you can find out what music is trending in your stories. This is one of the quickest ways to see what songs are popular at the moment and can be used in your Reels.
Again, Instagram recommends songs that are trending in stories so it is quick and easy to find a good song. I also find this more helpful than just looking for trending audio in Reels.
Music on Instagram stories is helpfully organised into genres like R&B and soul or seasons of the year.
Explore page
Instagram will boost popular Reels onto the Explore page and will also recommend reels that are relative to your content.
This is a really good place to find trending audio that is comparable to your niche.
Check other big accounts that are relative to your niche
The big accounts are big for a reason. They are quick to jump on trends, or are the trendsetters themselves!
You are probably already following a lot of people in your niche so keeping an eye on what sounds and audio they are using is the quickest way to see what is trending.
Check out @creators Trend report
Instagram’s very own creators account, @creators, releases trend reports on their Instagram account every week. The report includes trending reel audio, sounds, music and hashtags.
Although, you might already be too late to the trending game if you’re only just reading about it on @creators
Check TikTok
Either you’re already all over TikTok or I can hear a collective groan. Most of the trending Reels on Instagram started over on TikTok, so if you find a trending song on TikTok, perhaps try and use it in a Reel.
However, this doesn’t always work as the music that can go viral on TikTok doesn’t necessarily translate well on Instagram. The demographics and style are very different, with TikTok having a more 50/50 gender distribution and a much younger audience.
Check New Music on TikTok
I often use music from the New Music section on TikTok as this is more than likely to go viral if TikTok is recommending it.
You could check this section on TikTok and find it in the Instagram music library and get ahead of the game.
The key to getting a viral reel is to jump on board a trend before everyone else does it!
More on TikTok >>>
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Use apps like Tokboard
Apps and websites, like tokboard.com, list all the current trending sounds and songs which is a really quick way to find music for your Reels.
I have tried to use these apps in the past but have not always had great success, to be honest. I find that they often have the same audio for months on end (mainly because they take their data from how often it’s used and not really from a set date).
I find, a bit like the Trend report on @creator, if you’re reading about it on a designated app, the trend may have already hit its peak.
It’s still a really good way to find music for your Reels though!
Are you ready to go viral with your next Reel? Using the above strategies can really help you get started.
More on Instagram…
5 Quick Tips on How to Make Your Instagram Reels Go Viral
My 10-Step Guide to Instagram Success and Sustainable Growth
