Instagram Reels have become a key driver of growth on the platform. They now account for nearly 45% of total engagement, making them crucial for visibility and stronger audience connections. This change highlights how important Reels are for visibility and connecting with audiences.
Knowing how to find trending Reels on Instagram gives creators and brands a significant advantage. By using what audiences are already engaging with, such as trending audio, popular hashtags, or viral formats, you increase your chances of being discovered and shared widely.
This article will guide you through reliable methods to identify trends in Instagram Reels. You'll learn to track popular audio, use hashtag research tools, analyze performance in Insights, and draw inspiration from TikTok. Along the way, we will link these practices to broader Instagram SEO strategies that improve reach and ensure your content is easy to find.
Instagram’s algorithm favors content that keeps users interested. Reels are short, quick, and designed for discovery. That’s why trending Reels often show up on the Explore page and in search suggestions. By learning how to find trending Reels on Instagram, creators can take advantage of what’s popular instead of guessing what might succeed.
Trends are important because they boost visibility. When you use a trending audio track or a popular, low-competition hashtag, your Reel is more likely to reach a larger audience. For instance, Reels that use trending music clips achieve higher completion rates and shares compared to those that use less-known sounds. This visibility leads to more engagement and, in the end, more followers.
Another reason trends are essential is timing. Social media trends can change rapidly, with some lasting only a week or two. Spotting them early, whether through the Instagram Creators account trend alerts or by checking top-performing Reels in your niche, gives you a head start before the content becomes crowded. Creators who act quickly have an edge since their posts match what audiences are currently searching for.
Finally, keeping up with trends improves Instagram SEO. By optimizing your Reels with keywords in captions, trending hashtags, and even alt text, you increase discoverability in Instagram search and on other search engines. When you combine these SEO strategies with trending content, your Reels stay relevant longer and continue attracting traffic after the initial burst of engagement.
Instagram provides built-in signals, and there are external tools that simplify the process. Here are the most reliable methods to track trends and incorporate them into your content strategy.
The Explore page showcases what’s gaining popularity on the platform. Spend a few minutes scrolling to see Reels that often repeat certain formats, songs, or hashtags. These patterns are your first clue about trending content.
The Instagram search bar suggestions offer another quick resource. Type in a keyword related to your niche, and Instagram will suggest popular queries. These suggestions usually reflect what users are searching for, giving you a list of trending themes.
Tip: Keep track of the hashtags used in top Reels. Searching trending hashtags for Reels can help you refine your content so it reaches broader audiences while maintaining niche relevance.
Music and sound play a big role in trends. When you tap a Reel and see a small upward arrow next to the audio, Instagram marks it as trending. Reels that use these tracks gain algorithmic boosts and greater discoverability.
Creators should also save trending sounds to create a content bank. Even if you’re not ready to use a trend right away, having audio saved allows you to act quickly when it fits your script or niche.
Many Reels trends start on other platforms, especially on TikTok. Spotting TikTok trends that move to Instagram Reels gives you an advantage. Early adoption makes your content feel fresh before the trend becomes oversaturated.
Certain accounts focus solely on tracking and sharing trends. The official Instagram Creators account regularly posts trend alerts and growth tips. Following these updates ensures you don’t miss chances related to audio, formats, or hashtags.
Additionally, niche-specific influencers often create trends themselves. By keeping an eye on their posts, you can spot emerging ideas before they become mainstream. This strategy works well if you’re targeting a specific audience or industry.
While Instagram provides organic signals, external tools offer deeper insights. An Instagram keyword generator or keyword research tool can uncover high-volume, low-competition hashtags and keywords linked to Reels SEO.
For instance, tools like Keyword Tool, Keywordseverywhere, or TubeBuddy (adapted for Instagram) can highlight trending captions, hashtags, and keywords. These insights reveal not only what’s trending but also what can sustain long-term discoverability.
Pro Tip: Combine trending hashtags with niche-specific hashtags. This helps you gain a wide reach while remaining relevant to your core audience.
Instagram Insights serves as your personal performance dashboard. Under the Reels tab, you can track metrics like plays, shares, and saves. These analytics show which of your posts fit trending formats, allowing you to focus your efforts.
Creators should also pay attention to completion rates. A Reel that keeps viewers engaged until the end indicates trend potential. Combine this with external metrics, like what’s trending in your broader industry, for a well-rounded approach.
By regularly reviewing performance, you’ll create a cycle: spot trends, test them, measure results, and improve your content strategy. This data-driven method ensures you’re not just chasing trends but turning them into consistent growth.
Hashtags are one of the easiest ways to improve your Reel’s reach. When combined with trending content, they help your videos show up in search results and Explore feeds. Learning how to structure your hashtag usage is just as important as spotting trends.
Start by searching for trending hashtags for Reels in your niche. These hashtags often show up in the captions of top-performing videos on the Explore page. By adding them to your own posts, you connect with audiences already looking for similar content.
However, trending hashtags change quickly. A tag that works today might lose popularity within weeks. Keeping an updated list ensures your content stays relevant.
Many creators make the mistake of using only broad, high-volume hashtags. While they increase visibility, the competition is tough. Including niche-specific hashtags helps target smaller, more engaged communities.
For instance, instead of only using #Reels or #ViralReels, a food creator might add #EasyRecipes or #MealPrepIdeas. This balance gives the Reel both reach and focus, drawing in viewers who are more likely to follow or engage.
You can find high-volume, low-competition hashtags using tools like an Instagram keyword generator or an Instagram reels keyword tool. These tags are valuable because they have enough searches but not so many that your Reel gets buried.
This approach works particularly well for growing accounts. By focusing on less competitive tags, you can rank higher in searches, gradually building visibility.
Hashtags do more than categorize your content; they also affect Instagram SEO. Along with keywords in captions and alt text, hashtags help the algorithm classify your Reel. For example, combining a trending hashtag with a descriptive keyword phrase like “easy morning workouts” makes your content easier to find.
To maximize SEO impact:
These practices help your content ride trends while staying searchable long after those trends fade.
You can use the Instagram Hashtag Generator to improve your hashtag strategy. It is a helpful tool for finding trending and niche tags that enhance your SEO.
Spotting trends is just part of the process. To consistently reach a wider audience, you need to optimize how you publish, structure, and deliver your Reels. These practical tips help ensure your content stands out while taking advantage of Instagram's algorithm.
Use these metrics to refine your approach. Focus on what works and move on from formats that don’t perform well.
When a trend takes off, timing is crucial. You don’t want to fumble or lose track during recording. A teleprompter app helps you stay clear and confident while following the audio.
If you want a simple and reliable option, Teleprompter.com is designed for creators like you. It keeps your scripts flowing naturally so you can focus on the trend instead of worrying about what to say next.
Keep your Reels flowing effortlessly with Teleprompter.com. Sign up and let your scripts remain sharp while you enjoy the process.
To succeed on Instagram, you need to find trending Reels and apply them effectively. Trends create momentum, but strong captions, optimized hashtags, and thoughtful delivery make a real difference.
By using the Explore page, tracking trending audio, following the Instagram Creators account, and using tools like keyword generators, you can discover opportunities before they peak. With a solid hashtag strategy, SEO-friendly captions, and data-driven insights, your Reels will stay relevant long after the initial trend wave.
Lastly, execution matters. A polished presentation helps trending content perform better. With the Teleprompter.com app, you can deliver scripts smoothly, stay in sync with audio, and maintain clarity, whether you’re jumping on a quick trend or producing professional Reels.
Look for the upward arrow symbol next to audio tracks. This marks a sound as trending. You can also check the Explore page or save audio from creators already using popular tracks.
Yes. Searching for trending hashtags for Reels shows what’s popular in your niche. Combine broad hashtags with niche-specific ones to maximize visibility while keeping content relevant.
Absolutely. Many TikTok to Instagram Reels trends transfer quickly. Spotting them early gives you the chance to adapt the trend before it becomes oversaturated on Instagram.
Tools like an Instagram keyword generator or Instagram Reels keyword tool highlight high-volume, low-competition hashtags and keywords. These insights improve your Reel’s SEO and long-term discoverability.
Weekly monitoring works best. Instagram trends shift quickly, so checking Instagram Insights, the Explore page, and trend accounts ensures you keep up with what’s gaining traction.
