The Most Popular Trending Instagram Reels Songs (January 2026)

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Brands that use outdated sounds, or use them improperly (the ‘tiny violin’ trend showed many creators weren’t familiar with the ‘playing smallest violin ever’ concept) can come across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

Enter the New Year with these trending Instagram Reels songs.

Lush Life - Zara Larsson (202K Reels) 

Trending over 10 years after its release, ‘Lush Life’ continues to show up across Instagram as a go-to track for confident, feel-good content. Creators use it to show their dancing skills (with a trending dance associated with it), or to back glow-up content and playful fashion transitions. The song’s upbeat energy and self-assured lyrics make it a strong fit for beauty, lifestyle, and fashion brands. Bonus points if you add a ‘Valencia’ filter to really embrace the 2015-2016 vibes. 

Audio: Lush Life - Zara Larsson

All The Things She Said - t.A.T.u (47K Reels) 

Trending after being featured in the television show ‘Heated Rivalry’, this song is being used across content ranging from high-impact sports, health and fitness, lifestyle, and more. As it’s not associated with a particular trend, this is a perfect song to use across a variety of content. 

Audio: All The Things She Said - t.A.T.u

Arizona Dreaming (Remastered) (313K Reels) 

This is an easy, breezy, instrumental song, especially perfect to back any sort of lifestyle content. There are a few trends associated with it, like the trend below of asking your partner an annoying question while they’re clearly busy), or the trend where you describe how happy you are to be doing a simple activity with your friend or partner. However, don’t feel stuck to a trend, as the vibe is perfect for almost any light, fun content. 

Audio: Arizona Dreaming (Remastered)

Last Christmas (509K Reels) 

This song needs no introduction, but in case you’re new to the Wham! song ‘Last Christmas’, this is a festive, romantic and emotional song about love at Christmas. But don’t save it for romantic content, use this song across any festive holiday content. 

Audio: Last Christmas (Pudding Mix)

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (246K Reels) 

This song is perfect for wedding brands or any content that simply celebrates love. However, this dreamy, romantic song is perfect as a backing track nearly any industry, perfect for beauty, travel, fashion content, or vlogs.

Audio: Can’t Take My Eyes off You

American Pie - Don McLean (49K Reels) 

This song is trending, particularly among the travel industry, although the song and its associated trend can be used for a variety of industries. To partake in the trend, use copy to write ‘the travel effect’, or any other ‘effect’ with a significant before and after. In your video, share a video showing the ‘before’ and ‘after’ to show the how travelling (or anything else) has changed your life, typically in a positive way. 

Audio: American Pie

Here are the Instagram Reels trends to pay attention to this month. 

All I Want For Christmas (7.5M Reels) 

“It’s time!” Yes, Mariah Carey season, also known as Christmas, is in full swing. Use this song to back any holiday-themed content, like holiday party ideas, gift guides, or recipes to add a festive touch to your content. 

Audio: All I Want For Christmas - Mariah Carey

Ramble On - Lez Zeppelin (30K Reels) 

Use this song to back high-impact content, like outdoor activity or automotive content. However, it’s punchy tune also makes it perfect for fashion content, particularly anything with a rock and roll edge. 

Audio: Ramble On (Remaster)

Elizabeth Taylor 

Of course, a Taylor Swift remix is trending! Use this song in the background of upbeat content, or use it to back a video sharing fall styling ideas. 

Audio: Original Audio 

Ready for Halloween? Here are trending Reels songs to incorporate into your October content. 

Lover Girl - Laufey (60K Reels) 

This song is perfect for the girlies. Use it in fashion content, beauty content, and even food content. Have a girly post in your back pocket and looking for the perfect song? Lovergirl by Laufey is it. 

Audio: Lover Girl - Laufey

The Fate of Ophelia - Taylor Swift (281K Reels)

‘The Fate of Ophelia’ is being used across Instagram Reels paired with daily routines, montages, and behind-the-scenes clips. There’s also a popular dance trend tied to the song, which can be a playful way to join the conversation if it fits your brand’s tone and audience.

Audio: The Fate of Ophelia - Taylor Swift 

Love Me Not - Ravyn Lenae (343K Reels)

‘Love Me Not’ by Ravyn Lenae is trending across Reels as the soundtrack for soft, moody edits. Creators are using it to highlight moments of quiet confidence: think mirror selfies, slow outfit transitions, or cozy nighttime routines. It’s the kind of audio that adds an effortless, emotional edge to any aesthetic post.

Audio: Love Me Not - Ravyn

Here are the songs filling up the Instagram Explore page this September.

Iris - Goo Goo Dolls (450K Videos)

With 450K uses on Reels and climbing, Goo Goo Dolls’ classic hit ‘Iris’ is often used in motivational, inspirational, and uplifting content. While it’s been used across this type of content, it’s also currently trending for tongue-in-cheek, satirical content. 

Audio: Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

MOOO! - Doja Cat (38.4K Reels)

While ‘MOOO!’ is primarily being used by creators partaking in the song’s trending dance, it’s a great opportunity for music brands to partake in the trending dance, like Katseye in the example below.

Audio: MOOO! - Doja Cat

House Tour - Sabrina Carpenter (18.5K Reels)

Are you even surprised to see the latest from Sabrina Carpenter trending on Reels? This song is being used in almost any type of Reels content, but is particularly fun for home decor brands looking to have some fun and show off fall decorating inspiration. 

Audio: House Tour - Sabrina Carpenter

Kick off the year strong with these trending Instagram Reels ideas and trends.

What do you do all day

The “what do you do all day” trend features someone walking in circles while a looping list of tasks from their job or role appears on screen. It can be created for laughs with exaggerated “busy work,” or used more realistically to show what the day-to-day actually looks like.

Non-Verbal Reaction

This trend starts with a short video of someone posing a question or statement. When the piano part of the audio kicks in, a rapid slideshow of still images (often popular memes) flashes on screen as a wordless, visual “reaction” to what they said.

I Asked the Universe for a Sign

The “I asked for a sign” trend usually features a Reel set to the “Heaven” audio. The creator looks up at the sky, the video cuts to a shot of the clouds, and the “sign” appears as a cloud shaped like the exact thing they’ve been hoping for. Usually something unexpected or oddly specific that a cloud wouldn’t normally resemble.

Ring in the holidays and the New Year on Instagram’s Explore page with this month’s latest Reels trends. 

C’Mon Superman, Say Your Stupid Line

This trend works well for brands with a signature catchphrase or a line you or your team repeats all the time. To join in on Instagram, start your Reel with the text “C’mon Superman, say your stupid line,” then cut to the clip that delivers the ‘line’ you want to spotlight.

Nina Park Makeup

If you’re a beauty brand, celebrity makeup artist Nina Park’s makeup technique is a growing favorite among beauty lovers. It’s a great time to explore recreating her iconic makeup style with your brand’s products and sharing on Reels. 

I Don’t Know What To Gift You 

Want to create a new spin on a Christmas wishlist? Create a Reel featuring short clips of your favorite products that you hope to find under the tree. This is a great opportunity to spotlight your brand’s most popular products. 

Wondering what’s trending on Instagram Reels this month? Get ready to make Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Black Friday content with these Instagram Reels Trends.

Soup Season

Are you a beverage brand wanting to show off your latest drink, or want to make some fun content at after work drinks? Use this trend with a text overlay to describe how excited you are about ‘soup season’, or in this case, cocktail season. Food and beverage brands, don’t be shy about using the trend to spotlight actual soup. 

Dinner is Served

Skincare for dinner? This is an easy Instagram trend for beauty and food and beverage brands to partake in. Simply point at different items in a product line (no lip synching required!) to detail which product is part of your ‘meal’.  

I Love Christmas

Inspire holiday shoppers and get into the festive spirit with this trend that pokes fun at having a ‘Christmas Problem’. Home industry brands should use this song to back holiday-themed DIYs, Christmas decorating inspiration, or even baking inspiration for audiences.

Wondering what’s trending on Instagram Reels without a lengthy scroll? Check out October’s Instagram Reels Trends.

Stop Talking Dirty To Me 

This is a play on the lyric from Taylor Swift’s ‘Actually Romantic’ — simply film yourself lip synching to the lyric, and use a text overlay saying to describe something you simply can’t resist. This can range from the mundane, like your office bestie grabbing you coffee, or detailing your dream day.

The Lion Doesn’t Concern Himself

Use this trend to share a moment where you might not be taking the easiest or most practical route, but decided to anyway. You can also use this trend to talk about any habits you have (like shopping every sale that comes through your inbox, or always needing a freshly applied lip combo) with a text overlay saying “The lion doesn’t concern himself with (insert your trait here)”. 

I Know Ball 

Think someone is underestimating you at something where you have photo evidence otherwise, or just want to show off your talents? To use this trend, share a video or carousel post (typically a selfie) with text describing what you have experience in, like the example below “When I walk into the dance studio and they think I don’t know ball” followed by a series of posts of the creator dancing in competitions, live performances, and more.

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 Social'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 Social’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.

Trending Instagram Reel 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.