If you’ve ever spent hours doom-scrolling through Reels just to find that perfect audio, you’re not alone. In 2025, using trending audio on Instagram isn’t just about hopping on a bandwagon. It’s about increasing your reach, boosting engagement, and aligning with Instagram’s ever-evolving algorithm.

In this guide, you’ll discover smarter ways to find trending audios on Instagram- without wasting time. Whether you’re a busy creator or a brand marketer, we’ll break down exact methods, free and paid tools, real-world strategies, and even how platforms like Deepsolv automate trend discovery through audience engagement.

A study by HubSpot found that 90% of high-performing Reels in 2024 used audio that aligned with the mood or theme of the content.

Bonus: We’ll also show you how to build a community that spots viral sounds for you- like having your own trend radar.

Why Trending Audio Matters More Than Ever

Instagram Reels have consistently outperformed static posts and Stories in reach. Reels using trending sounds are:

• 30% more likely to show up on the Explore page
• Prioritized by Instagram’s algorithm
• More shareable and relatable to audiences

Sounds now act like content formats- if a particular track is viral, viewers are conditioned to expect a certain style of video. That familiarity = higher retention and engagement.

1. Use Instagram’s Built-in Features (If Available)

If you’re in the US with a professional account, this is your fastest option.

Use Instagram's Trending Audio List

• Go to Professional Dashboard
• Tap “Trending audio” under “Tips and Resources”
• You’ll see a list of the top 50 tracks, including usage trends

Instagram even shows arrows to indicate whether an audio is rising or declining, helping you make quick decisions. Unfortunately, this is not available in many countries, but don’t worry, alternatives are coming next.

2. Spot Trends Directly on Reels

Even if you don’t have the dashboard, Instagram leaves clues.

Look for the Arrow Icon

When scrolling Reels:

• A diagonal arrow next to the audio name means it’s trending
• Tap the audio to see how many videos are using it

The higher the number, the more viral it’s getting. If it’s just starting to trend, you’ve likely found a sweet spot before saturation.

3. Search Like a Pro (Not Randomly)

Go beyond vague searches like "trending songs".

Use Instagram’s Audio Tab:

• Tap Search
• Type something niche like “summer morning routine audio”
• Switch to Audio tab

You’ll find sounds outside your bubble- many of which may be niche-viral, perfect for authentic content creation.

4. Follow Curated Trend Accounts

If you don’t want to scroll for hours, let others do it for you.

Top Accounts to Follow:

• @creators (official Instagram account): Weekly trend updates
• @early.trending.audio: Niche audio discovery
• Social media educators like @marketingharry also share emerging trends

Turn on notifications so you’re always first to know.

5. Leverage TikTok, YouTube & Meta Tools

Trending songs often jump platforms. If it’s big on TikTok or YouTube Shorts, chances are it’ll land on Reels next.

TikTok Creative Center (Free):

Explore top tracks by:

• Country
• Industry
• Engagement levels

Unfortunately, TikTok is banned in India, so Indian creators can use YouTube Shorts trends or even Spotify’s India Viral 50.

Meta Sound Collection:

A hidden gem for royalty-free music that’s also popular on Reels. You can filter by mood, genre, popularity.

6. Let Your Audience Reveal Trends to You

This is where the smartest creators win. Instead of chasing trends, they observe what their audience is already loving.

Try These:

• Look for repeated comments like “What’s that song?”
• Poll your Stories: “Which Reel audio stuck in your head this week?”
• Track DMs asking about background music

Pro Tip: If 10+ people ask about an audio- you’ve likely discovered a micro-trend.

That’s how creators become early adopters, not followers.

7. Spy on Competitors (Ethically)

If your competitor’s Reels are going viral, their audio might be a goldmine.

How to do it:

• Shortlist 3–5 top creators in your niche
• Scroll through their recent Reels
• Note any audio used repeatedly
• Tap audio → Check number of uses → Look for rising numbers

Tools like Deepsolv can also provide detailed analytics on how your content performed, including your competitor info, engagement and much more.

8. Use Tools to Automate Audio Discovery

Now the real time-savers.

Free Tools:

• HeyOrca – Weekly blog with trending audio
• Later.com – Trend reports & tutorials
• Reddit – Subreddits like r/SocialMediaMarketing

Boost App Social – Curates trending IG & TikTok sounds

9. Timing Is Everything

Even the perfect audio flops if you use it too late.

Trending audio often has a 4–7 day spike before decline. Prioritize:

• Checking trend reports 2–3x/week
• Saving audio for quick use
• Creating content fast

Creators who ride the upswing, not the plateau, often see 2–3x better performance.

10. Strategic Use of Trends (Not Just Viral FOMO)

Not every trend fits your brand. Ask:

• Does the vibe match my brand’s tone?
• Can I add a unique twist?
• Will my audience enjoy or get confused?

Some creators combine original audio + trending sounds by mixing or overlaying, to stay true to their voice.

Use Deepsolv to Monitor DM and Comment Trends

This might surprise you, but your audience often gives you trend clues.

With Deepsolv, creators can:

• Automatically track common DMs like “what song is this?”
• Segment users who engage with sound-based Reels
• Auto-DM links to the audio when keywords are mentioned

If you’re building a Reels-first content strategy, tools like Deepsolv help you build a feedback loop between performance and community- not just automate replies.

Curious how to create that kind of loyalty? Here’s how creators build powerful Instagram communities that drive success.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Scroll for Hours

With these methods, tools, and strategies- you can find relevant, viral, and brand-aligned audio without falling into the scroll trap.

Whether it’s tapping into Instagram’s features, watching your audience, or letting platforms like Deepsolv surface trends for you- you’re no longer reacting to the wave, you’re surfing ahead of it.