Using Trending Audio on Instagram for More Reels Engagement

Ever wonder why some Instagram Reels take off while others barely get views? It’s no accident—Instagram’s algorithm loves trending audio. In this episode of Alpha Marketing, host Aaron breaks down how you can use trending sounds to get more engagement, more views, and ultimately, more customers.

You’ll learn:
✅ Why trending audio gives your Reels a free algorithm boost
✅ How to quickly find the best trending sounds before they go viral
✅ The step-by-step process to use audio effectively (without just copying trends)
✅ Common mistakes that kill engagement—and how to avoid them

If you’re a business owner, marketer, or content creator looking to grow on Instagram, this episode is packed with actionable tips you can use right now.

🎧 Listen in, take action, and watch your Reels engagement skyrocket!

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Transcript

0:00 Hello and welcome to the Marketing Alpha podcast. Today, we have a really cool episode talking all about audio. And so what I really want to talk about is the audio within Reels and TikToks.
0:14 So you ever wonder why some Instagram Reels take off while others get barely any views? I know for me, I don't get many, many views some days, but.
0:24 But I do know this one time I got, uh, it was a 700,000 views on my TikTok. So I want to talk about, um, how we're using audio within Reels and then TikTok and, uh, how we're experimenting with different trending audios and how you can find trending audios to essentially explode your growth on these 
0:45 short form videos. And that 700,000 view TikTok that I got. It was using a trending audio. So today I'm going to break down why trending audio works, how to find it, and how to actually use it to grow your brand.
0:56 This is mainly targeting business owners, marketers, and other content creators who want to get more views, engagement, and ultimately more customers from Instagram.
1:05 And the same thing applies to TikTok, but primarily I'm going to be referring to Instagram Reels in this podcast. So first let's talk about why trending audio works.
1:16 Instagram pushes Reels that use trending sounds. Uh, and so essentially it's like getting a free boost from the algorithm when you use some type of trending sound.
1:24 These trends come and go very quickly, so ultimately you can find these trending sounds early in order to catch that wave.
1:32 People engage more with familiar and catchy sounds, meaning higher watch time, and just better reach overall once the algorithm picks you up.
1:39 These trends increase discoverability as well because people are searching for these trending sounds to find more about what that trend is on.
1:48 So your Reel is more likely to end up on like the explore page of Instagram or essentially where people are exploring to find new things and new potential.
1:57 I've seen businesses go viral just by jumping on a trending sound at the right time and I can say from my personal experience, my personal TikTok, that's exactly what happened.
2:05 It was during a hurricane and it was actually when, uh, that, what was that sound? Um, when Twisters came out, that movie Twisters, and everybody knows about that song from the movie Twisters.
2:15 Um, here's that song, you know, a hurricane was coming through Florida and it was instant hit. Uh, so whenever I go viral, I go to look at reels moving forward.
2:26 I'm looking at the sound first. So how I find some trending audio first Instagram's built-in trends. I checked the reels tab and look for the little arrow icon next to the audio tracks itself.
2:38 And you can find, Hey, what is the actual trend or audio for that particular reel? TikTok often has the trends first, and then it can carries over to Instagram as of right now.
2:51 So make sure if you don't already have TikTok downloaded, you can check TikTok first, you can check the explore page, you can check what the audio is using then on that TikTok and then stay ahead of it.
3:02 So then that way you can translate that over to reels. You can also use some third-party tools. Uh, so there are third-party tools like talk board and trend talk, and that'll help you stay ahead and stay up to date about what's trending.
3:14 Uh, one of the cool things you could do also is save trending sounds, uh, because that way, if you're like planning for the week, you can save it to your device.
3:23 If it's on a Sunday or something like that, um, save it to your Instagram, save it. And then that way you can come back later when you actually go to film it and record it.
3:32 All right. That's how you can find it. that you just are going to have to be exploring. Check TikTok first because it's because that's where the trends are starting, save it to your device.
3:39 So then that way, when you go to record and everything else, you have it ready to go. Now, how do you actually use it?
3:45 Well, the first one is you pick, pick one. You need to pick one though, that fits your brand. Not every trend is a good fit.
3:50 So make sure you're choosing wisely. There are some trends that you just do not want to hop on as a business.
3:56 So keep that in mind. The second thing is just pair it with a strong hook. So make sure you have whatever type of opening that you have connect to the actual trend and where the climax is of that particular audio.
4:09 Each audio track is going to have some sort, some sort of climax and peak and hook part. So make sure when you're coming up with your idea, your sketch to be a part of that trend, that your hook and opening and everything else follows that particular flow of the music.
4:24 Add captions and so storytelling, so simple text overlay can make a huge difference, like adding captions, uh, to what's particularly going on.
4:31 Obviously showing your personality and your authenticity is really, really important here too. So make sure when you're actually filming, you're not trying to put up a fake front, but it's actually really you.
4:41 Uhm, it's better to always just show yourself and who you are rather than try to do something that's overly scripted.
4:49 Especially when it comes to these trending audios, because that's what it's all about, is that authenticity first. Once you have everything kind of put together, so you have your opening, it's following the trending audio and kind of the trend itself.
5:02 Uhm, you have captions, if it requires it, you're showing your, your personal authentic self. We need to make sure you're planning to post at the peak times or the appropriate times.
5:11 They also catch the wave. You want to post right before your audience is mainly online. So, most people, like in the mornings, on a Monday, are not going to be searching on TikTok or Reels, most people.
5:24 Usually it comes in the evening, so if your people are on the evenings, right, most of your followers are on in the evenings, then you're going to post right before that evening time.
5:32 So then that way when they log in, that's the first thing they see and you can catch the wave in the algorithm there.
5:37 The final point I have is repurpose and remix. So, make sure you use it utilizing these trends and multiple different facets of content.
5:45 You can use it, obviously, on TikTok, you can use it on Reels, but then you can segue that over into other forms of content on YouTube or just as a regular post or carousel on Instagram.
6:01 First is using irrelevant audio. Just because the sound is trending doesn't mean you should just jump on the bandwagon to use it.
6:08 Make sure it actually conveys with the trend and you're going with the trend itself. Otherwise, you're kind of just wasting your time a little bit.
6:14 Copying without creativity is another big one too. So, always put your own twist on a trend that relates to your brand or your personality and how you would go about something.
6:24 things. So if I, find a trend and I see some girls dancing, uhm, you know, try to, you could try to do the dance and copy the dance as well, but you should add your own twist to it, such as, like, uhm, something, even if it's small.
6:39 Ignoring copyright rules. Some audio tracks aren't available for business accounts, so really keep that in mind here. This, a lot of this could be related to, or a lot of this could be stuff that you have to post on your personal, and that you can't post on a business account, uh, just for copyright 
6:55 and commercial usage rules. So keep that in mind too, uhm, that the trends you, you're gonna pick are more often than not something that is, like, a very popular sound or very popular music track that you can't use on your business account, that you're gonna have to use on some personal accounts that
7:09 are related to it. And then the final big mistake is just one waiting too long. Uh, trends die fast, so you need to jump on them quickly.
7:17 If something is here on a Sunday, right, you need to get it out that week. Uhm, so keep that in mind.
7:24 Some final thoughts and actions for this is trending audio helps boost engagement. If you start with the audio, it makes things a whole lot easier to move forward on giving you different content, creating ideas, and you can jump on the bandwagon of the algorithm, get a free boost from the algorithm.
7:41 Really easy way to get more visibility and reach. If you find sounds early, you can use them creatively. So stay in touch with what's going on in trending sounds on TikTok, where trends typically start first, and then plan your reels and your TikToks and your short form videos around that.
7:59 Act fast before the trend dies. Keep in mind of everything that I mentioned earlier regarding how to actually use it.
8:07 So pick one that fits your brand. Don't choose something that doesn't fit your brand. Pair it with your strong hook.
8:13 Match the climax and the natural flow of the music as well. Don't just slap something on top of it. Show your authentic and personalized self and post it at the peak time.
8:23 Then try to repurpose and remix that content. So quick little action step for you guys to walk away with this podcast with something is the first step.
8:32 I want you to open Instagram, find a trending sound, and create a simple reel today from this. So open up Instagram or open up TikTok, see which trending.
8:41 You don't have to film the video today, because I know that could be a lot, but essentially find some type of trending audio, save it to your device, and then create a plan for how you're going to use that trending audio going forward.
8:51 It may take you a couple of times to actually start practicing it and getting it right, but I guarantee you, you're going to have one of your highest viewed short form videos if you do that.
9:02 If you want to read the full blog, full article, you can go to Wolfpackadvising.com. We wrote a really detailed article around this particular topic.
9:09 So you can read some more information on it. Other than that, until next time, thank you for listening to this at the Marketing Alpha podcast.
9:15 See you guys.