Instagram Reels are one of the fastest ways to grab attention, grow followers, and get your content seen by more people. But to truly make your Reels stand out in 2025, choosing the right trending music is a must.
Instagram’s algorithm favors content that uses popular and relevant audio, which means the right track can push your Reel to a much wider audience. Music also sets the tone and vibe of your video, making it more memorable and emotionally engaging. When used wisely, trending music can turn an ordinary clip into a scroll-stopping masterpiece.
The right sound can increase watch time, boost shares, and make your video go viral. Let’s walk through how you can find and use the best trending music to reach 2,000+ engagement on your Reels this year.
How Instagram Reels Work
Instagram Reels are short, vertical videos — up to 03 minutes long — designed to be fun, engaging, and easy to consume. You can record clips, add music, text, filters, effects, and share them with your followers or the wider Instagram community through the Explore page. Reels appear in their own dedicated tab and can also show up on your profile grid, Stories, and feed. What makes them powerful is that Instagram’s algorithm actively pushes Reels to users who don’t follow you, based on their interests and behaviors. This gives your content a bigger chance to go viral, attract new followers, and drive more engagement — especially when you use trending music, popular effects, and relevant hashtags.
What Is Trending Music on Instagram?
Trending music refers to audio that many people are using in their Reels at the same time. Instagram often shows these tracks with a small upward arrow (⬆️). These songs are favored by the algorithm, meaning your video is more likely to be shown to others if you use them.
But just picking any popular track isn’t enough — you need to be smart and timely in your selection.
Step 1: Browse the Reels Audio Library
When you’re making a Reel, tap the music note icon to explore Instagram’s audio library. Here’s how to find music that’s gaining popularity:
- Look for the ⬆️ trending arrow symbol next to songs.
- Preview the sound and check how many Reels are using it.
- Choose songs that have just started trending (they often have fewer than 100K uses).
Tip: If a song is already used in a million videos, it might be too late. Look for rising stars, not overplayed ones.
Step 2: Watch What Other Creators Are Using
A simple and effective way to spot music trends is by watching Reels from:
- Popular influencers in your niche
- Creators with high engagement
- Reels Explore page
If you see a sound being used often and it still has the ⬆️ arrow, save it immediately. This means it’s still in the early phase of trending — the perfect time to use it.
To save a sound:
- Tap on the music at the bottom of the Reel
- Press the “Save” button
- Use it later when creating your own content
Step 3: Use TikTok as a Trend Forecast Tool
Many trending songs on Instagram actually start gaining popularity on TikTok first. By keeping an eye on TikTok For You Page, you can often discover audio tracks that are starting to go viral before they make their way to Instagram. This gives you the chance to jump on a trend early and stand out. Additionally, you can use trend-tracking websites like Tokboard, Trendpop, and Tokchart to spot rising sounds. These tools analyze data from platforms like TikTok and help you identify which songs are gaining momentum. By using these resources, you can stay one step ahead and choose music that’s about to trend on Instagram Reels — giving your content a better chance at higher engagement.
Step 4: Match the Music to Your Content’s Mood
Don’t just follow the trend — make sure the song fits your video. Ask yourself:
- Is it fun, emotional, or dramatic?
- Does the beat work well with my clips?
- Will it catch attention in the first 3 seconds?
Music should support your message, not distract from it. The better it matches your video’s energy, the more viewers will enjoy and engage with it.
Step 5: Use Saved Audio to Join Active Trends
Whenever you come across a Reel with great music that catches your attention, tap on the audio name to explore how other creators are using it. This gives you a better idea of how the sound is being applied across different content styles. If the audio matches your niche or content tone, make sure to save it for future use. You can also use the “Use Audio” option directly from that Reel to start creating your own video with the same sound. Looking through top-performing Reels using that track can also give you inspiration and ideas for your own content. This simple habit helps you stay updated with current trends and makes it easier to put your unique spin on popular sounds.
How to Save Music and Access Saved Music on Instagram
Saving trendy music on Instagram is a great way to stay prepared for your next Reel. Instead of searching for the same track again and again, you can keep your favorite sounds in one place. Whether you want to use a viral song or a tune that matches your vibe, saving audio helps you stay organized and ready to create content anytime.
To Save Music from a Reel:
- Tap on the audio name at the bottom of any Reel.
- Press the “Save Audio” button to add it to your saved collection.
To Access Saved Music Later:
- Go to your Instagram profile.
- Tap the three lines (menu icon) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Saved” from the menu.
- Tap the “Audio” tab to view all your saved music.
To Use Saved Music in Your Reels:
- Open the Reels camera to start creating.
- Tap the music icon on the left side.
- Choose “Saved” to find and select any audio you’ve saved.
This makes the content creation process smoother and ensures you’re always ready to use trending sounds in your Reels.
Step 6: Act Fast – Trends Don’t Last Forever
One of the most important things to remember is that Reels trends move quickly. A song that’s hot today might be old news in a week.
To stay on top:
- Set a schedule to explore Reels daily or weekly
- Make content ahead of time and keep drafts ready
- Don’t wait too long to post once you find a trending track
Being early is better than being late — especially in the fast-paced world of social media.
Step 7: Follow the Popular Instagram’s Creator Account For Trendy Music
Following popular Instagram creator accounts is a smart way to stay updated with trending music. Many influencers, content creators, and meme pages consistently use the latest viral sounds in their Reels. By watching what kind of music they’re using, you can spot patterns and find tracks that are gaining popularity. Accounts like @creators, @instareels, and niche-specific influencers often showcase the newest trends, making it easier for you to pick the right audio for your own content. Staying connected with these creators helps you stay ahead of the curve and choose music that boosts your Reel’s reach and engagement.
Step 8: Review Insights and Adjust
Once you’ve posted a few Reels using trending music, check your Instagram Insights to see:
- Which sounds brought the most views
- Where engagement spiked (likes, saves, shares)
- Which videos held the viewer’s attention the longest
This helps you find patterns. For example, you might discover that upbeat pop music works better for your audience than slow emotional songs. Use that info to make smarter choices going forward.
Bonus Tips to Boost Engagement with Trending Music
Here are a few extra tricks to maximize your Reel’s performance:
- Keep it short and sweet – 7 to 15 seconds works best.
- Add text overlays to highlight your message or hook.
- Use a strong call to action (like “Watch till the end!”).
- Add 5-10 relevant hashtags including a few trend-related ones.
- Post during your audience’s most active hours (check Insights).
- Stay consistent — post 3–4 Reels per week to stay visible.
Summary
Music can make or break your Reel. In 2025, with Instagram’s algorithm favoring content with trending audio, learning how to choose the right music is your secret weapon.
By staying up to date, picking early-stage trending tracks, and matching them to your content style, you’ll increase your chances of reaching 2K+ engagement — and maybe even go viral.
So, next time you’re creating a Reel, don’t scroll past the music. Pick the perfect sound, ride the trend, and watch your engagement grow!Need help boosting your Instagram reach or optimizing your content for better visibility? Connect with SEO Specialist Shiwali Ratan Mishra for smart strategies that align your content with what the algorithm loves — and get ready to grow your brand like never before.
