One of the biggest parts of using Tik Tok and Instagram Reels is creating videos using trending sounds. But, do you know how to find them? Today, I’m sharing how to find exactly which sounds are trending on Tik Tok and Instagram Reels so you can use them in your videos! Let’s jump right in! 

Finding Sounds

The first way to find trending sounds you can use on Instagram Reels or Tik Tok is to actually use Tik Tok. In my experience using both apps, a lot of the trending sounds that are showing up on Instagram Reels come from Tik Tok. Some trends you can’t really translate from Tik Tok to Reels, but most of them do just fine! There’s a Discover Page on Tik Tok and shows you what’s going on and trending on the app. It basically tells you what to create – without you having to worry about it. And that’s pretty amazing! You can scroll through that page and find a trend you want to use on your own account. Because Tik Tok and Reels are so similar, you can then take that idea and use it on Instagram Reels most of the time, too. 

Discover Page on Tik Tok

When you have Tik Tok open, look at the bottom and check out the second icon from the left. It’s a search icon – and when you hit that, you’ll see the sounds and videos that are trending. You’ll see hashtags that are trending right now on Tik Tok and you can scroll through them. If you tap on the hashtag, you’ll be able to see anyone who’s using the trend and HOW they’re using it. Tap through some of the videos to get some ideas and see how you might apply it to your own business. Additionally, at the very top on the Discover page, you can tap over to sounds and do the same thing. This is really helpful when you’re trying to follow trends like lip-syncing… but also if you want to CHOOSE a song to add to your videos! You can get a feel for what’s going on within the app and use that to your advantage. 

New Sounds on Instagram Reels

Now, for Reels… when you create an Instagram Reel, you can tap on the music section to see the options that are available within the app. If you click on “see more”, you’ll actually see what they’re recommending to you. Typically, if Instagram is showing you a sound here, it’s trending on the app.

Another thing I want to mention when you think about bringing trends from Tik Tok to Instagram Reels is that it can be really, really good to be one of the first people to bring a trend over to Instagram Reels. You can definitely jumpstart a trend or find unique ways to use the sounds. If you wind up being one of the first ones to bring a trend over, you may find higher engagement and interaction since people might wind up using your sounds!

Scroll Your Feed

The other way to find trending sounds on these apps is to literally just scroll your page! Look through who you follow on Tik Tok or in the search section. You can do the same in Instagram Reels – scroll through the Reels. If you find an idea you like, save it! On Tik Tok, click the arrow. On Instagram Reels, hit save – I have a folder I can “Reels Ideas” so it’s super easy for me to find all of these later on when I create my content! 

What Other Users are Doing

Understanding and seeing what other accounts are doing is SUPER important. If you see what works well for them, you can take the idea and make it your own. I’m not saying to copy what others are doing! But realize that one of the nuances of using short form video is that you don’t have to constantly be coming up with brand new ideas every time. Using the trending sounds and dances can actually be really effective on these platforms. But still put your own spin on it! 

When you’re on the main page of Instagram, you’ll see Instagram Reels from the people you’re following mixed in. Take note of what they’re doing too – because they’re part of your circle. Be inspired by the people you’ve chosen to follow! Some of the people I love to follow (and am constantly inspired by) are Shine with Natasha, Jera Bean, and Natasha Coyle. 

Need more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram! Come see what I’ve been doing with my Instagram Reels and please, use the sounds I’ve created and used in my videos! That’s the whole point of this kind of short form video. I can’t wait to see what you create!

PS. Grab a copy of my Instagram Reels Covers here too!