The Most Popular Trending Instagram Reels Songs (November 2024)

One of the biggest ways to harness the power of short form video is to use the right trending Instagram Reels songs — and the right trends. 

Brands that use outdated sounds, or use them improperly (the ‘tiny violin’ trend showed many creators weren’t familiar with the ‘playing smallest violin ever’ concept) can come across as out of touch, inauthentic, and rushed. 

Brands can leverage Instagram Reels to engage with their audience more effectively, gain more reach, and ultimately gain new viewers if they use the right sounds at the right times. 

That being said, there are many trends to choose from, and the lifecycle of a trend can range from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. To aid social marketers’ Instagram Reels strategy, we’re sharing the top monthly trending sounds to use on Reels.

Curious about how to find trending Reels sounds outside of this blog? To drive engagement, social marketers should: 

• Follow Reels: Scroll Instagram Reels consistently (and stay up-to-date with TikTok trends that often inform future Reels trends)  
• Stay up-to-date on the latest Instagram Trends: Read up on new Instagram Trends each month
• Watch Reels content: Follow trend-focused Instagram accounts 
• Read this: Bookmark and refer back to this blog (we update monthly)

The virality of sounds on Reels is most popularly thought to be influenced by momentum. In this case, momentum is influenced by use and how often it’s saved. 

‍Tips on How To Find Trending Songs on Instagram Reels

Sometimes, you just need a song that enhances your Reel — whether this is a song that matches whatever you highlight in your Reel, or simply provides a pleasant background atmosphere. 

Here are some tips to find trending Instagram songs: 

• Look outside of Instagram: You might not be exposed to every song that presents a good opportunity for your brand. Fortunately, there are many Spotify playlists that round up the most popular songs on Reels, and this could spark an idea for your Instagram marketing strategy.
• Use ‘Original audio’: Be sure to only use trending videos with the ‘Original audio’ label, which means brands can use them. ‍
• Pay attention to audio permission: As a brand on Instagram, there are certain songs and audio not available — don’t use sounds with the ‘This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use’ label.

Tips on How To Find Trending Audio on Reels

Wondering how to find trending Reels audio? Follow these steps to help you stay on top of trending sounds on Reels for your brand: 

• Pay attention to TikTok trending sounds: Sometimes these sounds trend on TikTok and Reels simultaneously, but sometimes they trend on Reels days or weeks after they appear on TikTok. 
• Don’t be afraid to be an early adopter: Don’t let the fact that an audio has a lower number of uses than you might be used to seeing. For growing trends, this often means the sound isn’t overly saturated — yet. Follow trends, but don’t be afraid to set them. ‍
• Pay attention to Instagram’s recommendations: While marketers might know this, it’s worth noting that there’s an arrow next to trending Instagram songs on the Reels Explore page that tells you if an audio is trending, and recommend related trending audio for you to use.

Here are Reels songs trending on Instagram this month.

Mantra - JENNIE (408K Reels) 

JENNIE of Blackpink’s ‘Mantra’ includes bold beats that are perfect to dance to — or use in your Instagram Reels content. Use this song to showcase a high-energy dance routine, a chic outfit transition or an overall empowering message.

Audio: Mantra - JENNIE 

S P E Y S I D E - Bon Iver (12.6K Reels) 

The instrumental part of Bon Iver’s newest song ‘S P E Y S I D E’ is trending on Reels, and offers a serene and relaxing vibe that’s perfect for cozy or even emotional content. 

‍Audio: S P E Y S I D E - Bon Iver

Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeah’s 

Over 10 years later, the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s hit song ‘Maps’ is trending across TikTok and Instagram. To partake in this Reels trend, do the associated (and very easy) dance, or simply use it as a backing track for any Reels content that’s about something you love.

‍Audio: Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeah’s

Here are some of the most popular songs used on Instagram Reels this October. Try the following sounds to increase your chances of making it to Instagram’s Explore page.

LoveShack - The B-52’s (2.9K Reels) 

This 1989 song, ‘LoveShack’ by the B-52’s is making a comeback on Instagram Reels — with less than 5K views, this is a great song to use before it becomes oversaturated. Perfect for any fun, upbeat content. 

Witches - Alice Phoebe Lou (26.3K Reels) 

One for Halloween! Whether you’re dressing as a witch or not this Halloween, ‘Witches’ is a fitting song to showcase costumes, Halloween decorations or parties, or simply to show off your regular Halloween-themed fits. 

No One Noticed - The Marias (13.6K Reels)

‘No One Noticed’ by The Marias, featured in over 13.6K Instagram Reels, is often used to create a dreamy, nostalgic vibe. Its mellow and atmospheric sound makes it perfect for visually captivating content like travel montages, slow-motion shots, or reflective moments. Creators frequently pair the song with aesthetic visuals to enhance the emotional depth of their storytelling.

What songs are trending on Instagram Reels this September? Use the following songs in your Reels content to increase your chance of making it to the right Explore pages. 

Disco - Surf Curse (175K Reels) 

The surf-rock duo ‘Surf Curse’ has yet another trending hit with their song ‘Disco’, coming off the popularity of their song ‘Freaks’. This is a simple, upbeat indie love song, perfect for backing everything from recipes to OOTDs. If you’re feeling up for a challenge (and have a partner!) there is also a simple dance associated with the song, that anyone can do — dance experience or not. 

BBA - Paris Hilton (9K Reels) 

This EDM song from Paris Hilton finally combines her DJ-ing career and her pop music career in her recent album ‘Infinite Icon’. This upbeat song is perfect as the soundtrack for any of your fashion or beauty content. 

Don’t Lie - The Chainsmokers ft. Kim Petras (9K Reels) 

‘Don’t Lie’ by The Chainsmokers ft. Kim Petras is a high-energy track perfect for industries like fashion, beauty and fitness. Brands can use it in Instagram Reels to highlight product launches, tutorials or influencer workouts, for attention-grabbing content.

As Summer comes to a close, here are the songs trending on Instagram Reels this month. 

Finesse - Michael Prince ft. Koncept P, willnosleep & avonosleep (3K Reels)

This is a trending song for Instagram Reels that’s perfect for showing off. It contains strings and a long intro, where the phrase ‘do you not get the concept?’ is said. This audio is used to show progress, cars and anything that you’d like to show off. 

Ice Cream Sunday (Instrumental) - Floss (170K Reels) 

This is an upbeat instrumental, perfect for nearly any positive Reels content. Use it to show off travel destinations, beauty looks or anything else worth showcasing. 

Big Dawgs - Hanumankind (1.2M Reels)

‘Big Dawgs’ is an energetic hip-hop track that blends powerful lyrics with a hard-hitting beat, making it a perfect choice for hype videos. It's rapidly gaining popularity on Instagram Reels, with users leveraging its intense vibe for everything from recipes to workouts and more.

As we gear up for the holiday season, there are seasonal trends already shaping Instagram’s Explore page — here are trends to tap into this November. 

Add to Cart 

This is a recently resurfaced trending audio on Instagram — perfect to complement any brand’s ecommerce marketing. The audio says, “What do we do when we’re sad? Add to cart.” Use this sound to highlight a trending product line, your best-selling products or use the text overlay feature to bring attention to another purchase you make when you’re feeling down — like taking a trip, workout class or any other activity you’d like to draw attention to.   

It’s Time 

Everyone knows December is Mariah Carey’s time, but why not start a little early? For the Christmas-lovers among your audience, the classic ‘It’s time!’ audio is a great choice to get followers ready for the holiday season and inspire their upcoming seasonal shopping lists. 

Unbiased Advice 

This funny Reels trend is also popular across TikTok — to partake, use the associated trending audio and write out ‘biased’ advice based on your likes, dislikes or profession. Then, flip the camera around to reveal yourself as the giver of the biased advice. For example, “I think all cats should have treats 10 times a day.” Then, the camera flips around to reveal a cat.

Whether you’re showing off your Halloween costume or just want to show off your latest fits, here are some of the trending Reels formats to use this month.

OOTD Sound Effects 

This sound is complete with bangs, bops and other interesting sounds — there are 5 sounds in total, meant to show off five different outfits throughout the week. Use it to showcase an outfit, how  to style an outfit or share some of the best outfits worn in the office that week. 

OOTDs

Similar to the trend above, this trend uses a slowed-down version of the opening instrumental of Tame Impala’s ‘The Less I Know The Better’ — to use this trend, film yourself alone or with a friend, with each outfit change corresponding to the beat of the music. 

Fallen Flatlay 

This is a fun trend, but requires someone who doesn’t mind laying on the ground — or putting their belongings there. This trend is meant to showcase ‘what’s in your bag’ in a creative way. To partake in this trend, carefully place your bag’s contents on the sidewalk or ground, and place yourself on the ground like you’re falling. The filmer should focus on the fallen person first, then pan to the bag’s contents with aa text overlay that says something along the lines of ‘what’s in their bag?’ 

Even if you’re not heading back-to-school, Fall brings themes of renewal and coziness — and here are the Instagram trends reflecting (or not reflecting) these themes this September.

Crash (500+ Reels) 

This is a fun trend that’s being used mainly by nail salons, but could work well for a variety of other industries. To participate in this trend, use this audio of a car crashing followed by gentle music — for filming, use footage of a blue beetle narrowly missing a pedestrian, followed by the ‘predestrian’ jumping into your salon for their appointment. This one requires a bit of editing, but the payoff is hilarious. Plus, it’s a fairly new trend which is perfect to stay ahead of your competitors.  

30 Minutes 

Long live meme queen Tiffany Pollard — this audio comes courtesy of her time on the show ‘Flavor of Love’, with her asking, “Did you know you have 30 minutes? 30, 30, 30, yes.” Use this audio in the background of any situation where time is running out — this can range from getting ready, your social battery or anything else that’s ‘running out’. 

I Couldn’t Help But Wonder…

This audio comes courtesy of Carrie Bradshow, who famously ‘couldn’t help but wonder’. The corresponding audio for this trend combines multiple times Bradshaw has wondered out loud — use this trend with a text overlay to draw attention to your recent musings.  

When You’re Running 

This trend uses a snippet from the remix of ‘We Need to Wake Up (Died In Your Arms) by Donny Darko, originally by Cutting Crew. To do this trend, film yourself running and include a text overlay that says “When I’m running from the cops and I hear them say the suspect has…” and proceed to include something descriptive about you, your audience or that’s relevant to your brand. Examples include “great taste in shoes”, “the best matcha in town”, or anything else — this a great trend that fits a variety of brands.

What’s trending on Instagram Reels this August?

Girls Can’t Dunk 

This is a fun trend that only requires a quick outfit change. This trend is often used by a male and female duo, but feel free to adjust it to what works best for your participants. In the trend, the more athletic person says (with a matching text overlay) ‘girls can’t dunk’, or a similarly challenging athletic feat. In the next shot, film the other person saying something to the effect of ‘watch me’. Then, have the athletic person switch to the other person’s clothing and complete the dunk, shot, flip or whatever else. 

You’re My Friend Now

This is the perfect trend to do with your office bestie and share your internal team’s personality. This is simple — lipsynch ‘you’re my friend now’ to this audio and show your followers how fast you and your office bestie clicked.

Curious which trends (and related audio) are trending across the Instagram Explore page? Here are some trends to try this July.

I’m Feeling Rough

This emerging trend uses a line from the MGMT song ‘Time to Pretend’, ‘I’m feeling rough / I’m feeling raw’. To partake in this trend, use the associated sound and use the text feature to describe a situation that makes you feel ‘rough’.  

Match My Freak

This trend has been taking over TikTok, and is more ‘safe-for-work’ than you might think — to partake in this trend, simply use this audio and use the text feature to describe an activity or behavior you’d like to find in someone else, or simply just something unique or silly that’s habit for you.

Realizing Things 

This trend is simple to partake in — simply use this audio that’s reminiscent of someone blinking, then use the text feature to describe a recent realization you’ve had, or simply something that shocked you.

Pretty Woman

This trend uses a cover of Roy Orbinson’s ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’, and is perfect for beauty or fashion brands. Use this trend to show off beauty trends, hairstyles (like the example below), styling ideas or more.

Rapid-Fire Pictures and Videos 

Use this audio, ‘Forget You’, and share a succession of rapid-fire photos or videos. This format is perfect for ‘day in my life’ content, Summer re-caps, travel inspiration or almost anything else you have lots of content on.

One of the challenges of staying on top of trends is the 24/7 nature of social media — and even social marketers and managers need a break. 

Dash Hudson’s Multi-Channel Social Media Scheduler feature makes it easy to stay on top of trends, and avoid any rush. When your boss inevitably reaches out about that new audio trend they read about or scrolled by, you have the pleasure of telling them it’s already in the pipeline. 

In addition to the Scheduler feature, Dash Hudson’s AI powered tools for automation and insights help with repetitive tasks and decision making, allowing you more time for making creative Reels that your audience will love.

FAQs

How do I find trending audio on Instagram?

You can find trending audio on Instagram by navigating to the Audio tool in Reels, and searching through the Instagram audio library — look for arrows that indicate an audio is trending. 

What is the most used audio on Reels?

One of the most used audio on Reels is ‘As it Was’ by Harry Styles with 3.4 million uses, and ‘Wait a Minute’ (Remix) by DJ Exe is the second-most used Instagram Reels song at 1.3 million uses.