How to Find Trending Reels on Instagram

Finding the next big thing on Instagram can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle, but it's one of the most effective ways to grow your reach. Knowing how to spot and use trending Reels connects your content with a much wider audience that's actively looking for what's new. This is a step-by-step guide to finding trending audio, formats, and challenges, and how to use them to elevate your content strategy.

Why Bother with Trending Reels at All?

Jumping on a trend isn't just about chasing vanity metrics, it's a smart strategy with tangible benefits. When you use a trending audio clip or a popular format, you’re essentially tapping into a pre-existing conversation. The Instagram algorithm already knows users are enjoying this type of content, so it’s more likely to push your Reel to a larger audience beyond your own followers through the Reels tab, Explore page, and audio pages.

Think of it this way:

• Increased Visibility: The algorithm favors content that keeps users engaged. Trends, by their nature, are proven to be engaging.
• Built-In Audience: People often seek out more videos using a particular sound. When you use it, you make your content discoverable to everyone interested in that trend.
• Effortless Creativity: Trends provide a ready-made structure for your content. Instead of starting from scratch, you have a format to work with, which saves you time and creative energy. You can then focus on how to add your own unique spin.

Method 1: Master Instagram’s Built-In Discovery Tools

The best place to start looking for trends is on Instagram itself. The platform gives you several clear signals that a particular sound or format is gaining traction. You just need to know where to look.

Do an Intentional "Trend Scan" on the Reels Feed

Most of us scroll through Reels for entertainment, but it's time to shift your mindset from passive consumption to active research. Set aside 10-15 minutes a day specifically for "trend scanning." Don’t just watch, look for patterns.

As you scroll through your Reels feed, ask yourself:

• Am I hearing this audio over and over? If you hear the same sound clip three or more times in a short session, that's a signal.
• Am I seeing the same joke format, transition, or camera movement? A trend isn't always about the audio. Sometimes it’s a visual gag, an editing style, or a specific type of text overlay.
• Do I see the 'trending' arrow? Beside the audio name at the bottom of a Reel, you'll sometimes see a small arrow pointing diagonally up. This is Instagram’s official stamp, telling you that the audio is currently popular and on the rise. This is your clearest indicator.

When you see one of these signs, don’t just scroll past. Tap on the audio name at the bottom of the screen to investigate further.

Become an Audio Page Investigator

Clicking on an audio name takes you to its dedicated Audio Page, which is a goldmine of information. Here’s what to look for:

• The Trending Arrow: Just like on the Reel itself, the trending arrow will appear next to the audio title on this page if it's currently hot. If you see this, it’s a green light to use the sound.
• Number of Reels: At the top left, under the audio’s title, you’ll see how many times it has been used. This number is crucial for context.
  • Under 5,000 Reels: This is an emerging sound. Using it now means you could be one of the first creators in your niche to adopt it, giving you a chance to go viral as it blows up. It’s a higher risk, but a higher reward.
  • 10,000 - 50,000 Reels: This sound is officially trending. It has proven its popularity but likely hasn't hit its peak yet. This is often the sweet spot for jumping on a trend.
  • Over 100,000 Reels: The sound is massively popular, possibly nearing saturation. It’s still worth using as it has huge reach, but it will be harder to stand out from the crowd.

Check out the top videos on the Audio Page. How are other creators using this sound? Are they pointing at text, lip-syncing, or following a dance challenge? This will give you instant inspiration on how to adapt it for your own content.

Leverage the "Templates" Feature

Instagram has made creating Reels even easier with its Templates feature. For Reels that involve a lot of short, perfectly timed clips synced to music, creators can share their timing structure as a template.

When you're watching a Reel and see a "Use Template" button above the creator's username, that’s your cue. Tap it, and Instagram will open up your camera roll. All you have to do is drop your own photos and videos into the pre-timed placeholders. It automates complex edits, allowing you to participate in a high-effort trend with minimal work. This is a fast and easy way to create polished video content without being an editing pro.

Follow @creators for Official Updates

Did you know Instagram tells you exactly what’s trending? Their official @creators account is run by an internal team dedicated to helping creators succeed. Every week, they release a "Trend Report" right in their feed and Stories. This report breaks down trending songs, challenges, and formats, often giving you a head-start on what's about to be huge. Turning on post notifications for this account is one of the easiest ways to stay informed without any guesswork.

Method 2: Look for Clues Beyond Instagram

While Instagram is the primary source, trends often bubble up elsewhere first. Expanding your search will help you spot popular concepts before everyone else on Instagram does.

Keep an Eye on TikTok

It's no secret: TikTok is a trend factory. Many, if not most, of the Reels trends you see today started on TikTok a few days or weeks earlier. Spending a little bit of time scrolling through TikTok’s "For You Page" is essentially like looking into a crystal ball for future Instagram trends.

You can use the same observational skills here: pay attention to recurring audio, joke formats, and video styles. When you spot something popping off on TikTok, you have a unique opportunity to be an early adopter on Instagram. Find the sound on Reels (it's often uploaded by another user) and create your version. You’ll be ahead of the curve.

Analyze Influencers and Competitors in Your Niche

Who are the leaders in your industry on social media? Identify 5-10 successful creators or brands in your niche and pay close attention to the Reels they're posting. Don't copy them directly, but analyze what's working for them.

• Are they all using a specific transition tutorial?
• Is there a specific question-and-answer format sweeping your industry?
• Did a specific "Day in the Life" trend resonate with their audience?

Niche-specific trends can sometimes have an even better ROI than massive mainstream trends because they speak directly to your target audience's interests and pain points.

Method 3: How to Adapt a Trend (Without Losing Your Brand Voice)

Finding a trend is half the battle, knowing how to use it is the other. The goal is not just to copy a trend but to insert your brand's unique personality and message into the format.

Ask: How Can I Make This My Own?

Before you hit record, take a moment to brainstorm. Let’s say the trend involves pointing at different text bubbles on the screen to a funny audio clip. How can you apply that to your niche?

• A financial advisor could use it for "3 Myths about Investing."
• A ceramicist could show "Mistakes to Avoid When Throwing on the Wheel."
• A life coach could list "Mindset Shifts That Will Change Your Week."

The format is the same, but the content is unique, valuable, and specific to your brand. The best-performing Reels often combine a trending format with genuine, helpful information or a personal story.

Act Fast but Not Carelessly

Trends have a notoriously short shelf life. What's popular today might be old news next week. Speed is your friend. This is why having a "Saved" folder is so powerful. When you're "trend scanning," don't hesitate to save audio and promising Reels into a dedicated folder. That way, when you’re ready to create content, you have a library of pre-vetted ideas ready to go.

This doesn't mean you should rush the content. Your brand standards still matter. But don't overthink it for weeks. Jump on it while it's still relevant, add your spin, and get it out there.

Final Thoughts

Finding trending Reels on Instagram isn’t about luck, it's a skill you can develop by knowing where to look and what signals to watch for. By combining Instagram's own tools with an observant eye on what's happening both inside and outside the app, you can build a powerful content strategy that consistently expands your reach and engages new audiences.

Of course, finding a great trend is only the first part of the equation - you also need a seamless way to plan and publish your content. At Postbase, we built our platform specifically for today's social media landscape, where short-form video is king. We provide you with a visual calendar to plan your Reels content ahead of time and scheduling that's built for video, so you can trust your posts will go live exactly as planned. No more formatting issues or posts failing to publish - just reliable tools that help you focus on creating great content.