How to Find Trending Sounds on Instagram

Using the right audio on Instagram Reels can be the difference between five views and five million. This guide breaks down exactly how to find trending sounds so you can give your content its best shot at reaching a wider audience. We’ll cover the on-platform tools Instagram gives you, proactive strategies for spotting trends early, and a simple system to keep it all organized.

Why Trending Audio Matters (It’s Not Just About Music)

Reels are designed for discovery, and Instagram's algorithm heavily favors content that hops on current trends. When you use a trending sound, you’re essentially telling the algorithm, "Hey, my content is relevant right now." This simple act signals that your Reel should be shown to more people who have already engaged with other videos using that same audio.

Think of it as entertainment SEO. The sound is like a keyword that connects your content to a massive, ongoing conversation. Using a trending audio:

• Increases Your Reach: The algorithm pushes content with trending sounds to new audiences on the Reels tab and Explore page.
• Boosts Engagement: Viewers are already familiar with the sound and often the format, making them more likely to watch, laugh, and engage.
• Makes Content Creation Easier: Trends often come with built-in formats or jokes. You don't have to reinvent the wheel - just adapt the popular format to your niche.

The goal isn't just to pick a popular song, but to use a sound that is actively being rewarded by the algorithm at that specific moment. Fortunately, finding these sounds is easier than you think if you know where to look.

Method 1: Using Instagram's Built-In Tools

Instagram won’t send you a notification saying, "This sound is trending!" but it leaves plenty of clues hidden in plain sight. Here are the easiest, most direct ways to find what’s popular directly within the app.

Look for the Trending Arrow

This is the most definitive sign that a sound is currently hot. When an audio reaches a certain velocity of usage, Instagram labels it with a small, upward-pointing arrow icon next to its name.

You can find this icon in two places:

1. Directly on a Reel: When you're watching a Reel, look at the audio name scrolling at the bottom of the screen. If you see the arrow, that sound is officially trending.
2. On the Audio Page: Tap the audio name to open its unique page. At the very top, next to the audio title and artist, you'll see the same arrow and the label "Trending." This page also shows you how many Reels have been made with the sound, which gives you more context.

Actionable Tip: If you see the arrow, don't hesitate. Tap the "Save Audio" button immediately, even if you don't have an idea for it yet. Trending sounds have a short lifespan, so you'll want it ready to go when inspiration strikes.

Browse the Reels & “For You” Audio Sections

Instagram’s AI is constantly working to show you what’s popular. When creating a new Reel, you can leverage its suggestions.

Here's how to do it step-by-step:

1. Start creating a new Reel.
2. Tap the music note icon to open the Audio Library.
3. The first screen you land on is the "For You" tab. This is Instagram’s personalized list of recommended sounds, and it's heavily weighted toward what's currently trending.
4. Scroll through this list. Often, the top 10-20 recommendations will include several tracks with the "Trending" arrow. Take note of what Instagram puts at the very top.

This section is a goldmine because it's literally Instagram telling you, "These are the sounds we think you should use for better reach." Listen to their advice.

Read the Reels Trends Report

For those who want to be ahead of the curve, Instagram shares official trend insights directly. They do this through their dedicated creator account, @creators.

Follow the @creators account on Instagram. A few times a month, they publish a "Reels Trends Report." This isn't just a list of songs, it’s a breakdown of specific audio clips, creative formats, and hashtags that have momentum. This report often highlights trends *before* they become completely saturated, giving you a chance to be an early adopter rather than a latecomer.

Method 2: Proactive Trend Spotting (The Scavenger Hunt)

Relying solely on what Instagram shows you is a great start, but the best social media managers and creators go hunting for trends themselves. This involves paying attention to patterns and knowing where trends originate.

Scroll With Intent (a.k.a. “F-Y-P Research”)

You're already scrolling through Reels, so you might as well turn that time into productive research. The key is to shift from passive consumption to active analysis. Your "For You" page is the best focus group you could ever ask for.

As you scroll, use the "Rule of Three":

• If you hear the same audio once, it's just a video.
• If you hear the same audio twice, it's a coincidence.
• If you hear it three or more times within a short scrolling session (say, 10-15 minutes), that's a pattern. It’s either already trending or about to take off.

When you spot a repeated sound, tap on the audio page. Check two things:

1. The Number of Reels: Is it a low number (e.g., under 5k uses) but you’re seeing it everywhere? That’s a sign of a very new, rapidly-growing trend. If it has over 50k, it’s established.
2. The Dates of the Top Reels: On the audio page, scroll down to see the top-performing videos. Are they all from the last 24-48 hours? If so, this trend is sizzling hot *right now*.

Save every potential trend you find. It’s better to have a library of 10 saved sounds and only use two than to scramble to find one when you need it.

Follow Trend Spotting Accounts

Let other people do the heavy lifting for you. There are hundreds of creators whose entire niche is announcing new trends for Instagram and TikTok. Following a few of these is like getting a daily briefing on what's new.

Search for terms like "trend alert," "Reel trends," or "trending audio" on Instagram. Follow a handful of accounts that consistently post high-quality roundups. They often break down how to use the sound and provide examples, saving you even more time.

Expand Your Search to TikTok

It's the most reliable secret in social media management: most Instagram trends start on TikTok. What's viral on TikTok this week will almost certainly be a dominant trend on Reels next week.

If you want a real competitive advantage, spend 15 minutes a day scrolling through your TikTok For You Page. Pay attention to the sounds that are looping constantly. When you find one, search for it on Instagram. If you notice it’s just starting to bubble up on Reels (with only a few hundred or a couple of thousand uses), you have found a trend before it peaks. This is your window to get in early and potentially have your video become one of the signature examples of that trend on the platform.

Building Your Trend Management System

Finding trends consistently requires a system. Otherwise, you’ll find the perfect sound, forget about it, and see it everywhere a week later, thinking, "I should have used that." Here’s a simple workflow.

Create a “Saved Audio” Collection on Instagram

The "Save" feature on Instagram is your best friend. Every single time you hear a sound you might want to use, save it. But don't just throw it into your general "Saved" folder. Organize it.

1. When you save an audio clip, Instagram will give you the option to "Add to Collection."
2. Create a new collection specifically for trends. Call it "Reels Sounds," "Trend Library," or something similar.
3. Now, whenever you find a potential sound, save it directly to that collection.

When it’s time to create content for the week, you can open your dedicated collection and see a curated list of pre-vetted, trendy sounds. No more last-minute panic searches.

Making the Sound Work for Your Brand

Finding a trending audio is step one. Step two is making it relevant to your brand and audience. The best Reel creators don't just copy a trend, they adapt it.

• Watch Other Videos: Watch a dozen Reels using the sound. Understand the underlying format, the timing of the jokes, or the emotional context associated with it. Is it used for funny fails? Relatable work moments? Transitions?
• Add Your Niche Spin: Ask yourself, "How can I apply this format to my industry/niche?" An accountant can use a funny, relatable audio about daily struggles just as effectively as a beauty blogger uses it for a makeup tutorial. The genius is in the adaptation.
• Act Fast, But Don't Force It: Speed is important, but authenticity is everything. If a trend just doesn't align with your brand's voice or messaging, it's better to sit it out. Another one will come along tomorrow. Your audience can tell when you’re chasing a trend just for the sake of it.

Final Thoughts

Finding trending sounds on Instagram is a skill that blends observation with a simple, organized system. By combining Instagram's own features like the trending arrow with proactive research on your feed and even on TikTok, you can build a reliable library of audio primed for reach.

Once you've found the perfect sounds and planned your content, the final piece is staying consistent. At Postbase, we built our visual calendars specifically for creators and marketers who need to map out Reels, TikToks, and Shorts in one place. You can schedule your videos with confidence, view your entire content strategy at a glance, and feel confident that your posts will publish reliably, every time. It helps clear the logistical hurdles so you can focus on what matters: creating great content.