Last updated on March 6th, 2025 at 09:18 pm
Trying to get more eyes on your posts? Trending audio can make that happen on platforms like Instagram. When you use sounds people are already engaging with, your content has a better chance of getting noticed—and not just by your current followers. Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes Reels and Stories that use popular audio, which can give you an easy boost.
But finding the right audio and knowing how to use it can feel like a lot to keep up with. That’s where this guide comes in. You’ll learn how to spot trending sounds, use them in ways that fit your brand, avoid mistakes that can hurt engagement, and we’ll even share examples to spark fresh ideas for your next post.
The Power of Trending Audio
According to Instagram for Business, more than 80% of Reels are watched with the sound turned on. People naturally engage with familiar sounds, so when viewers recognize a trending audio clip, they’re more likely to pause, watch, and interact.
For businesses, this can translate into more views, shares, and comments. Picture a local fitness studio using a popular upbeat track to showcase a new class or a home service syncing a before-and-after project to a trending sound—it’s quick, relatable, and memorable. These simple connections can significantly improve how viewers perceive and interact with your brand.
Also, Reels are outperforming other post formats in reach. According to Instagram for Business, the average reach rate for Reels is around 30%, compared to 14% for Carousels and 13% for Stories.
With numbers like that, there are pretty much zero reasons not to have them on your profile.
How to Find and Track Trending Sounds
Keeping up with trends, in addition to the basic best practices for every platform, can feel overwhelming.
To take some of the sting out, here are the most effective ways to find and track sounds that will resonate with your audience.
1) Instagram’s Built-In Tools
- The Reels tab: Visit the Reels Explore page to find popular content and sounds. Look for the upward arrow icon next to an audio name—it indicates a trending sound.
- The broader audio library: Use the search bar in the Reels editor to find sounds marked as “trending.” This feature also shows how many posts use the audio, helping you assess its popularity.
- Save sounds for later: When you come across a sound you like or think will blow up in the future, tap on it and save it for easy access during content planning.
2) Follow Trendsetters and Industry Creators
- Follow Instagram’s @creators account: This official account provides weekly updates on trends, tips, and best practices.
- Watch influencers in your niche: Industry leaders often spot trends early. Watching their content can help you stay ahead without spending hours researching.
- Pay attention to repeated sounds: If you hear the same audio multiple times in a short span, it’s likely trending (or soon-to-be).
3. Other Ways to Stay Ahead
- Subscribe to trend-focused newsletters: Sites like Social Media Today offer daily or weekly rundowns of the most popular sounds and trends across social platforms.
- Online communities: Reddit’s r/SocialMediaMarketing regularly discusses current Instagram trends.
- Monitor TikTok trends: Many trending sounds originate on TikTok before migrating to Instagram. Keeping an eye on both platforms can help you get ahead of the curve.
Making this process part of your routine—even just 10 minutes a few times a week—can keep you consistently in the loop without overwhelming your schedule.
Quick Tips for Using Trending Audio
Finding trending sounds is only half the battle, though. Using them strategically is what drives engagement.
Unfortunately, you can’t just slap the Severance theme song on any piece of content and expect it to go viral (we wish). So, here are proven ways to use those popular sounds to get more from your content:
- Align with your brand: Use sounds that fit your business’s personality and message. Just because a sound is trending doesn’t mean it’s relevant or on-brand.
- Be timely but intentional: Acting quickly on trends matters, but so does thoughtful content. Participating in a trend within its first few days can improve reach, but forced or rushed content risks falling flat.
- Make it your own: Adding a creative twist to a trending sound makes your content stand out! Show off your humor, a behind-the-scenes look, or customer highlights. You can expect better performance from original interpretations than copycat content.
- Don’t slack on visuals: Clear, well-lit videos paired with trending audio increase viewer retention. High-quality content is more likely to be shared and saved, which signals value to Instagram’s algorithm.
- Test and refine your strategy: Use Instagram Insights to track which trending audio choices boost views and engagement. Focus on what seems to resonate most with your audience for future posts.
Don’t Make These Mistakes
Even with the best tools and strategies, some minor missteps can hinder your results using trending audio on Instagram. Avoid these mistakes when using trending audio:
- Losing the plot: Authenticity matters and your brand speaks volumes—a trend might be popular, but if it doesn’t align with your message or audience, skip it. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, almost half of consumers are less likely to engage with brands they perceive as inauthentic.
- Ignoring licensing restrictions: Business accounts have different music licensing rights. Using unauthorized tracks can lead to muted posts or account penalties, so always make sure the audio is approved for commercial use.
- Jumping on trends too late: Timing is key. Trends can lose momentum quickly, and using audio after it’s oversaturated can reduce your post’s engagement potential.
- Overusing the same sound: Variety keeps content fresh and not every Reel needs a trending audio. Using different sounds can help sustain audience interest and prevent your feed from getting repetitive.
Inspiration to Take With You
Posts that use relevant, audience-aligned audio are more likely to be shared and saved and signal value to Instagram’s algorithm.
Ask yourself how you can incorporate everyday moments, team interactions, or customer stories into your Reels using trending sounds you come across to connect authentically with your audience.
Looking at how others in your industry (or even totally different ones) use trending audio can inspire fresh ideas for your content! Here are some good ones we found recently:
Click above to look through the slide examples!
Conclusion
Using trending audio on Instagram isn’t just a passing fad. It’s a real way to expand your reach, connect with your audience, and keep your content fresh. The key is finding sounds that align with your brand, using them early in the trend cycle, and adding your unique twist to stand out.
If you’re ready to take your Instagram presence to the next level, allow the expert team at Wolfpack Advising to guide you. Schedule your online consultation today to start building a tailored plan for your business growth.
