How to Find Trending Songs on Instagram Reels

Using the right audio can be the difference between a Reel that gets a few hundred views and one that reaches thousands. Finding those trending songs, however, can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. This guide cuts through the noise and shows you exactly where to look and what to listen for, giving you a simple playbook to find the perfect audio for your next viral Reel.

Why Bother with Trending Audio?

Before we get into the "how," let's talk about the "why." Using trending audio on Instagram Reels isn't just about seeming in-the-know, it’s a strategic move that directly helps with your content's distribution. The Instagram algorithm actively promotes Reels that use popular sounds because it knows users enjoy them. When you use a trending track, you get a little algorithmic boost, increasing your chances of landing on the Reels tab and the Explore page.

Here’s what’s really happening:

• Increased Discoverability: When you tap on the audio of any Reel, you’re taken to an audio page showing all the other videos that use that same sound. As a song trends, more people visit that page. If your Reel is there, you’re exposing your account to a flood of new viewers who might not have found you otherwise.
• Cultural Relevance: Tapping into a trend shows that your brand is current and relevant. It connects your content to a larger ongoing conversation, making it feel more timely and relatable to your audience.
• Creative Inspiration: Let’s be honest - sometimes the hardest part of creating content is coming up with an idea. Trending audio often comes with a built-in format, joke, or dance. Using it gives you a ready-made concept to adapt to your niche, saving you valuable brainstorming time.

Finding Trending Audio Directly on Instagram

Your best tool for finding trends is the app itself. Instagram leaves clues everywhere, you just need to know where to look. Here are the most effective in-app methods for sourcing your next great Reel audio.

Method 1: Spot the 'Trending' Arrow Indicator

This is the most obvious sign that an audio is currently hot. As you scroll through your Reels feed, pay attention to the audio credit at the bottom left of the screen.

If you see a small, upward-facing arrow (↗) next to the song name, that's your sign. This is Instagram's official indicator that the audio is gaining significant traction on the platform.

Your Action Plan:

1. When you see a Reel with the trending arrow, tap on the audio name.
2. This will take you to the audio page. Look at the number of Reels created with this sound. If that number is growing quickly (or is already well into the thousands), it’s a good one to save for later.
3. Tap the "Save Audio" button at the top of the page so you can easily find it when you’re ready to create your own Reel.

Method 2: Check the Official @creators Account

Want your trend updates straight from the source? Follow Instagram’s official @creators account. This account is dedicated to helping creators succeed on the platform, and they consistently share valuable insights.

Each week, they publish a "Reels Trend Report" in their posts or stories. This report highlights specific songs, templates, and challenges that are currently popular. It's like getting an inside scoop directly from Instagram's content team.

Your Action Plan:

• Follow the @creators account and turn on notifications for their posts.
• Every time they release a Trend Report, browse through their suggestions.
• Listen to the audios they feature and save any that align with your brand's voice and style. Because this information comes from Instagram directly, you can trust that these are sounds the algorithm favors.

Method 3: Turn Your Reels Feed Into a Research Tool

This is the most organic method and arguably the most powerful. Simply scrolling through the Reels feed is a fantastic way to spot emerging trends, but you have to do it actively, not passively.

Apply the "Rule of Three." If you hear the same audio or see the same format three or more times within a 10-minute scrolling session, it’s trending. This repetition isn't a coincidence, it's the algorithm showing you what’s currently resonating with users.

Your Action Plan:

• Spend 15-20 minutes a few times a week scrolling the Reels feed with intention. Pay more attention to the audio than the visuals.
• When you hear a sound repeatedly, don’t hesitate. Save it immediately. Even if you don't have an idea for it right away, you want to capture it while it's hot. Trends fade fast.
• Pay attention to how people are using the sound. Is it for a voiceover? A dance? A product reveal? Understanding the trend's format is just as important as the audio itself.

Method 4: Explore the Audio Browser & Reels Templates

When you go to create a new Reel, Instagram gives you a library of suggestions tailored just for you. This is another gold mine for finding what's popular.

Using the Audio Browser:

1. Tap the + icon and select 'Reel.'
2. On the left-hand menu, tap the 'Audio' (musical note) icon.
3. The first thing you'll see is a 'For You' page. This is the algorithm's best guess at what you'll like based on your activity. It often includes trending sounds from niches similar to your own.
4. Scroll through the other categories. Instagram often has sections labeled 'Trending Now,' 'Popular,' or other curated lists that can point you in the right direction.

Using Reels Templates:

Templates are pre-edited formats that anyone can use. All you have to do is drop in your own photos or videos. The great thing about templates is that they are almost always paired with trending audio. If a template gets popular, the sound attached to it does, too.

You can find templates in two ways:

• While scrolling, look for a "Use template" button above the creator's username.
• In the Reel creation screen, tap 'Templates' at the bottom. Browse through the recommended and trending templates to see what's popular.

Using a popular template is an easy win because it bundles a proven format with trending audio, doing half the creative work for you.

Going Off-Platform: Spotting Trends Before They Peak

If you want to get ahead of the curve, you need to look where trends are born. The best creators aren’t just following trends on Instagram, they're spotting them early on other platforms.

TikTok: The Trend Factory

It's no secret: most meme formats and viral audio trends start on TikTok before migrating over to Instagram Reels. What's trending on TikTok today will likely be trending on Reels next week. Spending a little time on TikTok's 'For You Page' (FYP) is like getting a sneak peek at the future of Instagram.

Your Action Plan:

• Spend 20-30 minutes per week scrolling your TikTok FYP. You'll quickly notice which sound clips are being used over and over across different videos.
• When you find a popular sound, tap the spinning audio icon at the bottom right. This takes you to its audio page where you can see the name of the track.
• Search for that same track name in the Instagram Reels audio library. If it’s already there, you're ahead of the game. Save it and plan your Reel before everyone else jumps on the trend.

Listen to Spotify and Billboard Charts

Not all trends come from remixes or quirky voiceovers. Many stem from newly released music by major artists. A new album from Taylor Swift, Drake, or Beyonce will always spawn a number of trending sounds.

Your Action Plan:

• Keep an eye on major music releases.
• Check Spotify’s curated playlists like ‘Viral Hits’ and ‘Top 50 - USA.’ These charts directly reflect what people are listening to and, increasingly, what they’re using in their social media videos.
• If a song is blowing up on Spotify, there's a good chance it will soon be (or already is) blowing up on Reels.

Putting It All Together: Your Weekly Trend-Spotting Workflow

Finding trends consistently doesn't have to be a scramble. By building a simple system, you can integrate trend-spotting into your regular content creation process. Here’s a sample weekly schedule:

• Monday: Trend Research (15 mins). Check the @creators account for their latest Trend Report. Scroll your Reels feed for 10 minutes, actively listening and looking for the trending arrow. Save at least 3-5 sounds that fit your brand.
• Wednesday: External Scan (15 mins). Hop onto TikTok to see what’s bubbling up. Check a Spotify Viral Hits playlist. Any crossovers with what you're seeing on Instagram? Those are your strongest bets.
• Friday: Content Planning Day. Go to your Saved Audio folder on Instagram. Review the sounds you’ve collected. Pick one or two that you can create content around for the following week. Match the audio to an idea or a pillar of your content strategy.
• Remember to Act Fast: A trend's lifespan can be brutally short. Once you have a good audio and an idea, try to film and post it within a few days. The sooner you get in on a trend, the bigger the potential reach.

Final Thoughts

Finding trending songs on Instagram Reels isn't about getting lucky, it's about building a habit of active listening. By regularly checking sources like a dedicated Creators account, browsing the Reels templates section, paying attention to sounds popping up in your feed, and even looking at an app like TikTok, you'll be well-equipped to use popular audio for a better boost on your content's engagement.

At Postbase, we know that finding the right audio is only half the battle. Once you've collected a library of trending sounds, you still need to plan your content, schedule your posts, and make sure everything goes live at the right time. Our visual content calendar helps you organize your ideas and schedule your Reels weeks in advance, so you never miss the peak of a trend. By combining smart trend-spotting with an organized workflow, you can turn a chaotic process into a predictable part of your growth strategy. Give our platform a try using this link to Postbase.