How to Find Reels Audio on Instagram

Finding the perfect audio for your Instagram Reel can feel like the difference between a post that flops and one that goes viral. A trending sound can skyrocket your reach, but searching for the right one can also send you down an endless scrolling rabbit hole. This guide will walk you through exactly how to find, save, and use Reels audio on Instagram, from the built-in library to the strategies creators use to spot trends before they take off.

Why Does Reels Audio Even Matter?

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly touch on the "why." Choosing the right audio does more than just add background music, it taps you into a larger conversation. When a trending song fits perfectly or a voiceover syncs up with the audio, your Reel becomes part of that trend. The Instagram algorithm rewards this by showing your video to more people who have already engaged with that same sound, creating a powerful ripple effect for your visibility. Simply put, good audio is one of the easiest ways to drive growth and discovery on the platform.

Method 1: Using the Instagram Reels Audio Library

This is the most direct way to add music or sound to your content. When you're in a creative flow, it's a quick way to grab something popular. Here's how it works:

1. Open the Instagram app and swipe right to open the Story camera, then select "Reel" at the bottom.
2. On the left-hand side menu, tap the music note icon labeled "Audio."
3. You'll land on the main Audio screen, which is split into two sections: For You and Browse.

Understanding the "For You" and "Browse" Tabs

The "For You" tab is what Instagram thinks you'll like based on Reels you’ve watched, liked, and saved. It’s personalized and often a great starting point, surfacing sounds that are popular within your niche or with people you follow.

The "Browse" tab gives you more options for discovery. Here you’ll find categories curated by Instagram, like:

• New Releases
• Top Charts for your region
• Original Audio
• Genres (Pop, Hip-Hop, R&,B, etc.)
• Moods &, Themes (Upbeat, Chill, Birthdays, etc.)

You can also use the search bar at the top if you have a specific song title or artist name in mind. You can also search for keywords and phrases. To use any sound, simply tap on it and then tap “Done” to add it to the Reels editor.

What If My Music Isn't All Available? (Business Account Issues)

If you have a "Business Account," you've probably noticed your music list looks much shorter and lacks many pop songs. This is intentional. Because business accounts are commercial entities, they are restricted from using copyrighted music without violating licensing laws. As a result, Meta provides you access to its Royalty-Free Music Library, which is commercially-licensed for business use. Unfortunately, it does not include as many popular, well-known songs, which is not always the best creative choice.

The workaround is to use "Original Audio" from other creators (more on that below) or to switch your profile to a "Creator Account" if you aren't representing a commercial brand.

Method 2: Finding and Saving Audio From Other Reels

This is the best way to find truly trending sounds. Most viral trends are born from other Reels, as users discover and reuse catchy audio clips.

Let's say you're scrolling through your Reels feed and stumble upon a sound you love. Here’s how you grab it:

Step 1: Identify What’s Trending

Look for the small, upward-pointing arrow next to the sound's name. This icon indicates that the sound is currently "trending" on the platform. If you see it on multiple recent videos, it's a solid sign that the trend is active.

At the bottom-left of the Reel, you'll see the name of the sound. Tap on it to open the audio page.

Step 2: Check Out the Audio Page

Tapping the audio name takes you to the Audio Page. This page is a goldmine for information about the sound's popularity.

This screen shows you:

• The original creator of the audio
• The number of Reels made with that sound
• A grid of all the other Reels that have used that sound

The number of Reels is a great indicator of a sound's popularity. A sound with a small number of uses (like under 5,000) may be just starting to trend or might be extremely niche. A sound with 50,000+ uses indicates a trend that is well on its way.

Step 3: Save the Audio or Use It Immediately

On the Audio Page, you have two main options:

1. Use Audio: Press this button to open the Reels camera with the audio pre-loaded, allowing you to start recording immediately.
2. Save Audio: Tap the save icon (bookmark symbol) at the top of the screen to add the sound to your library for later use.

This leads us to the most organized way for a creator to manage potential sounds...

Method 3: Build and Manage Your ‘Saved Audio’ Library

When you find a great sound, new trend, or funny voiceover, don't miss the opportunity. The "Save Audio" feature is your most valuable asset. It allows you to build a personal library of go-to sounds for future content.

How to Access Your Saved Audio

When you are ready to create, your saved collection is there to help.

1. Open the Reels editor when you are ready to create a Reel.
2. Tap the Audio icon (the music note).
3. Right underneath the Search Bar, click "Saved" to open up your library of all saved sounds.

Proactively saving audio is a game-changer for consistency. Spend 10-15 minutes a day scrolling your Reels feed to save a few ideas. Then, when you're ready to create content, your inspiration is already waiting for you.

Advanced Tips: Where the Pros Look for Sounds

If you want to move from using trends to being slightly ahead of them, here are a few places to look.

1. Follow Trend-Spotting Accounts

There are accounts on Instagram whose sole job is to spot the next big trend. They'll break down emerging audio trends and explain how creators are using them. These accounts do the research work for you. A simple search for "trending audio" or "Reels trends" will help you find them.

2. Look at TikTok

Here's a little secret: many Instagram trends are born on TikTok. By paying attention to what's popular on TikTok, you can often spot a sound weeks before it goes viral on Instagram. This gives you a head start in using the trend.

3. Create Your Own Original Audio

Original audio is an incredibly powerful tool. A unique and catchy sound byte of your own could become the next big trend. Whether it's a helpful tip, a relatable opinion, or a behind-the-scenes moment, you can use your own voice to create an original sound.

Creating one is easy: just film yourself talking in the Reel. Once your Reel is posted, other users can tap your audio to use it in their own Reels. Your username will be linked to the sound, which is an excellent organic way to gain followers and increase your reach.

Final Thoughts

Finding Reels audio is a skill that blends creativity with an awareness of new trends. From using the built-in audio library and finding inspiring sounds on your Reels feed to building an organized 'Saved Audio' library, you have all the tools you need to find the perfect sound.

Once you've found that perfect piece of trending audio, the real work of social media management begins: planning, scheduling, and engaging. Our goal at Postbase was to build a modern, intuitive platform where short-form video comes first. We made it simple to upload your Reels and TikToks once, then customize and schedule them across all your platforms without headaches, helping you turn every great audio discovery into a seamless part of your content workflow.