Trending audio
Also called trending sounds, trending songs, viral sounds
What is trending audio?
Trending audio is a song, sound effect or voice clip that many creators are using in their short videos at the same time on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Platforms let you tap a sound to see every video that uses it, and they often mark rising sounds with a trending label or arrow.
Trends can be a popular song, a line from a show, a voice memo someone recorded or a format tied to a sound. Many trends last only days or weeks, so timing matters. Using a sound early in its rise tends to help more than joining once it is everywhere.
Businesses need to watch music rights. Business accounts usually have access only to commercially licensed music libraries, such as TikTok's Commercial Music Library or Meta's sound collection, and using popular songs in ads or branded content without a license can break platform rules and copyright law.
Why trending audio matters
A trending sound gives a video a ready-made reason to be shown: people engaging with that sound may see your video too. It can be a shortcut to organic reach for a small account.
Trends also give you content ideas that already fit the platform's culture. The key is relevance: a trend that connects to your business works much better than one forced onto it.
How to find trending audio on Instagram and TikTok
- Scroll Reels or the For You feed and note sounds that appear repeatedly.
- Look for the trending arrow or label on sounds in the audio browser.
- Check TikTok's Creative Center for trending sounds by region.
- On business accounts, pick sounds from the commercial music library.
- Adapt the trend to your business, then post while it is still rising.
Trending audio FAQ
Can businesses use trending songs on TikTok and Instagram?
Business accounts are usually limited to commercially licensed music. Popular chart songs are often unavailable for business use, so check the commercial library.
Does trending audio boost reach?
It can help a video be discovered by people browsing that sound, but the video still needs to hold attention. A weak video with a trending sound rarely goes far.
Related terms
Instagram Reels are short vertical videos on Instagram, shown in a full-screen feed that recommends them to people who do not follow you.
A viral video spreads quickly and widely as people share it and platforms recommend it, reaching far beyond the creator's usual audience.
Royalty-free music is music licensed for a one-time fee or subscription, with no per-play royalties, so you can use it in videos and ads.
Short-form video is video under about three minutes, usually vertical, made for Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts; long-form video runs longer.
A social media algorithm is the system a platform uses to decide which posts each person sees, and in what order, based on predicted interest.