When I’m creating Instagram Reels, finding the right music is key to making my content pop. But I know it’s not always easy to find those perfect tracks, especially the ones that are trending and can help your Reel reach a bigger audience. Over time, I’ve figured out a few tricks to discover trending music on Instagram, and I’m sharing them here so you can do it too.
First Things First: Set Up a Creator Account
Before I could even start finding trending music, I had to make sure I had access to Instagram’s full music library. There's a secret. Switch over to a Creator account. If you use a personal account, you won't have access to all the music options available. I wrote a separate post here on how to make the switch if you need help - it's quick and easy, go make the change and then swing back for more.
What Is Trending Music and Why Care?
Trending music refers to songs or audio tracks that are currently popular and widely used by creators on the Instagram platform. These tracks often become associated with specific challenges, memes, or themes, gaining momentum as more people use them in their content. Much like the Jools Lebron 'demure' content currently going viral. When a piece of music or sound bit trends, it typically means it’s resonating with a large audience, making it a powerful tool to boost the visibility and engagement of your content.
Using trending music in your Reels can help you reach a broader audience. (Ahem, if you're looking to reach past the folx who follow you.) Instagram’s algorithm favors content that uses popular tracks, pushing it into more feeds and increasing the chances of going viral. When you use a trending song, you’re tapping into a shared cultural moment, which makes your content feel more relevant and connected to what’s happening right now. Remember - social is all about being social!
1. Explore the Reels Tab: One of the first things I do when I’m looking for trending music is dive into the Reels tab. I just tap on the Reels icon at the bottom of the screen and scroll to see what's good. I notice certain songs used on repeat—clearly they are catching on. Often a track catches my ear or just feels right for what I’m planning, I’ll note it down and most often, save it for later. I find this is a simple way to stay on top of what’s hot without overthinking.
2. The Trending Arrow Here’s a little trick I learned: when you’re scrolling through Reels, look out for a tiny arrow next to the track name at the bottom of the screen. That arrow means the audio is trending. If I see it, I tap on the track name and see all of the other Reels using the same song. It gives me a provides inspiration and give me a good idea if it'll be useful for my content.
3. Use the Music Search Function: When I’m in the mood for something specific, like a certain vibe or theme, I use Instagram’s music search. I tap on the music icon when I’m creating a Reel and search for keywords that match what I’m going for. For example, if I’m making something chill, I’ll search for “acoustic” or “lo-fi” tracks. This helps me find music that fits perfectly with the mood I’m trying to create, rather than just grabbing whatever’s trending.
4. Find a Song That Matches the Vibe or Message of Your Content: Sometimes, it’s not about what’s trending—it’s about what feels right. I made Yellow Tomato Soup and paired it with Coldplay’s “Yellow.” It wasn’t just a random choice; it tied everything together and made the content more meaningful. So, when I’m choosing music, I think about the vibe or message I want to share. Whether it’s a trending track or just one of my favorites, I know the right song can really bring my Reel to life.
5. Use the “Use Audio” Feature: If I stumble upon a Reel with music that I love, I tap on the “Use Audio” button at the bottom of the screen. This lets me create my own Reel using that same track, which is an easy way to get started. And if I’m not ready to create right then and there, I’ll save the audio so it’s ready when inspiration strikes or time allows.
Finding the right music for my Reels is all about having fun and making my content as impactful as possible. I usually look for music and save it and then put it into action later. I hope that these steps I use to discover trending tracks and add more creativity to my Reels help you do the same. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
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