How to See More Templates on Instagram

Tired of endlessly scrolling for the perfect Instagram Reel template, only to be shown the same few dozen options over and over? Finding fresh, dynamic templates can feel like a secret handshake you're not in on, but it doesn't have to be. This guide will show you exactly how to find thousands of trending and niche templates that make video creation faster, easier, and far more effective. We'll cover everything from the hidden in-app browsers to the clever workarounds social media pros use every day.

Why Instagram Templates Are a Total Game-Changer

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." Instagram's native Reels templates are one of the most powerful tools available to creators and brands right now, especially if you're not a professional video editor. Their magic lies in three key benefits:

• Speed: Templates eliminate guesswork. You don't have to spend hours trying to sync your video clips to beats in the audio, the template does all the heavy lifting for you. You just drop in your photos or clips, and the Reel is practically finished.
• Trend Hopping: Social media moves at lightning speed. When a new sound or format starts taking off, templates allow you to jump on the trend within minutes. This increases your chances of being picked up by the algorithm and shown to a wider audience.
• Professional Polish: A well-made template gives your content a clean, polished look. Smooth transitions and perfect audio syncs make your Reels look more professional, which helps build brand credibility and keep viewers engaged.

Finding Templates: The Standard Method (and Its Limits)

Let's start with the most obvious method, the one Instagram puts right in front of you. While it's a good starting point, its limitations are what lead people to search for more options.

Here’s the basic process:

1. Open the Instagram app and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom center of your screen.
2. Select Reel from the menu.
3. On the Reel creation screen, look for the "Templates" button at the bottom navigation. Tap it.
4. You can now swipe through two feeds: "Recommended for you" and "Trending."

This is a quick way to see what's currently popular, but you'll quickly notice the selection is quite limited and often repetitive. The algorithm tends to show you the same handful of templates, which is frustrating when you're trying to stand out. To break free from this small pond, you need to learn how to fish in the ocean.

Beyond the Editor: Actively Hunting for the "Use Template" Sticker

The single best way to discover new and exciting templates is by finding them "in the wild." As you scroll through your Reels feed, you've likely seen countless videos with a special little button that appears right above the creator's username.

How to Use It:

When you're watching a Reel and see the "Use template" button, that's your golden ticket.

1. Tap the "Use template" button. This will immediately open the template editor.
2. You'll see the original audio loaded and placeholders for each clip, complete with the precise timing. For example, it might show markers like (0.3s), (1.1s), (0.5s).
3. Tap "Add media" and select your own photos or video clips from your camera roll. The template will automatically trim them to the right length.
4. Once your media is added, you can post it or save it as a draft for later.

To make this a go-to strategy, start being an active scroller, not a passive one. When you hear a sound trending, consciously look through different Reels using that audio to find one with the template button. Follow creators in your niche who produce a lot of video content, as they're often the first to use new templates.

Your Secret Weapon: Saving Templates for Later

Great ideas strike at the worst times - usually when you're scrolling on the couch at 10 PM with no intention of creating content. Instead of letting that perfect template slip away, create your own private library of ideas.

How to Build Your Template Library:

The most effective way to do this isn't to save the template itself (as that feature can be inconsistent), but to save the entire Reel.

1. When you find a Reel with a template you love, tap the three dots (...) in the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Select "Save."
3. To take it a step further, tap "Save to collection." Create a new, private collection named something specific like "Reel Ideas" or "My Templates."

Now, whenever you're ready to create content, you don't have to start from scratch. Just head to your profile, tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines), select "Saved," and open your "My Templates" collection. You’ll have a curated feed of perfectly-made Reels, each with a clickable "Use template" button waiting for you.

Smarter Searching: How to Feed the Algorithm What You Want

If you feel stuck in a creative rut, you may need to proactively find new pockets of inspiration. Here are a few strategies to uncover templates beyond your usual feed.

1. Hunt by Audio

Most templates are tied to a specific trending audio clip. If you hear a sound popping up repeatedly, you can use it as a backdoor to find all the templates associated with it.

• While watching a Reel, tap the scrolling name of the audio track at the bottom of the screen.
• This will take you to the audio's main page, where you'll see a grid of the most popular Reels using that sound.
• Scroll through this feed. It’s a goldmine for finding different template interpretations of the same trend. You can quickly see which edits are getting the most traction and find a version with a "Use template" button.

2. Search Specific Hashtags

A community of "template creators" has emerged on Instagram - people whose content is focused on creating templates for others to use. You can find them by searching for relevant hashtags.

Go to the explore page search bar and look for terms like:

• #reeltemplates
• #instagramtemplates
• #trendingreels
• #audiotemplate

This will introduce you to accounts dedicated to making trendy, shareable templates. Following a few of them will ensure your feed stays fresh with new ideas.

3. Look to TikTok (and CapCut)

It’s no secret that many Instagram trends begin on TikTok. More specifically, they often start as templates on CapCut, the popular video editing app owned by the same parent company as TikTok. By monitoring what’s happening there, you can get ahead of a trend before it even hits Instagram.

Search phrases like "trending CapCut templates" on TikTok. You don't necessarily have to post on TikTok yourself, just observe the formats and sounds that are gaining momentum. Inevitably, those very same editing styles will appear as Reels templates a few days later, and you'll be ready for them.

Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I See the 'Use Template' Button?

It can be very confusing when you see a perfect Reel that seems synced to music but the "Use template" button is missing. There are a few common culprits behind this issue.

• It Wasn't Made With an Instagram Template: The creator likely used a third-party app like CapCut to edit their video before uploading it to Instagram. The sync is there, but it wasn't made with a shareable Instagram template.
• Your App is Outdated: This is the simplest fix. Head to the App Store or Google Play Store and check if your Instagram app has a pending update. New features often require the latest version to function properly.
• The Reel is a Remix: Look closely at the icon. A remix will show two overlapping squares and say "Remix," while a template has its own unique icon.
• It's a Glitch: Sometimes, apps just act weird. Try quitting and restarting the Instagram app, or try clearing your app's cache in your phone settings.

Going Off-Platform: Using Apps Like CapCut for Ultimate Control

Finally, what do you do when Instagram’s own library just doesn’t have what you’re looking for? You turn to the source: CapCut.

CapCut has a massive, searchable library of templates created by users. The workflow is slightly different but gives you limitless creative freedom.

1. Find a CapCut template you love - many creators link directly to them on TikTok or even in their Instagram Stories.
2. Open the template in the CapCut app and add your photos or videos.
3. Export the finished video from CapCut. Pro tip: choose the option to export without the CapCut watermark by sharing it to TikTok first (and then just closing the app).
4. Open Instagram and create a new Reel. Upload your pre-edited video.
5. Very important: Search for the original trending audio on Instagram and add it to your Reel. Then, go into the audio mixer and turn the "Camera Audio" (your original video's sound) all the way down to zero. This ensures your Reel is officially part of the trend and gets categorized correctly by the algorithm.

This method gives you the professional look of a template-made video while accessing a library far larger than what's available inside Instagram alone.

Final Thoughts

Finding more Instagram templates is about learning to be an active searcher instead of a passive-scroller. By using the 'Use template' button in your feed, saving your favorite Reels into organized collections, and searching by audio or specific hashtags, you'll build your own endless library of inspiration that makes content creation genuinely enjoyable. Add in third-party tools like CapCut, and you'll never run out of ideas again.

Once your template-driven Reels are edited and ready, the next challenge is scheduling them consistently without feeling overwhelmed. That’s where we find a tool like a visual planner indispensable. Using our calendar in Postbase, we batch-schedule all our short-form video content across Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts in one go. This helps us take the beautiful content we created and turn it into steady, reliable growth without an ounce of last-minute stress.