Choosing the right trending audio to accompany your latest Instagram post is an art, not a science. Still, opting for a trending sound or music clip could provide the boost you need to get your video on the Instagram Explore page or Instagram Reels feed.
While it used to be just for Instagram Reels, you can now also add trending audio to your carousels and single photo posts. This gives your posts a better chance of landing on the Explore page, and it makes carousels and photos eligible to appear on the reels feed, too. That opens up a new way to expand your reach.
But where can you find trending audio on Instagram? If you feel like you’re always chasing the tail-end of trending songs on the app, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are some of the most viral, versatile, trending songs and sounds on Instagram right now.
13 trending songs and audio on Instagram
Here’s a quick summary of what is trending in December 2025.
Trending songs on Instagram in 2025
1. Purple Rain
Purple Rain by Prince & The Revolution is having one of those timeless banger moments on Instagram. I’m seeing it used as a powerful, emotional backdrop for fan tributes, throwback montages, and cinematic slow-motion edits, especially riding the wave of its resurgence in the Stranger Things finale.
2. Internet Girl
Built around KATSEYE’s instantly catchy “haven’t you heard I’m the internet girl” line (plus the fun “eat zucchini” moment), this sound is being used for confident, tongue-in-cheek content that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If your content has personality, humor, or a little chaos — congrats, you’ve found your audio.
3. Let the New Begin
Let the New Begin by CHPTRS feels like a deep breath in audio form. The reflective, hopeful tone makes it ideal for January content: fresh starts, vision boards coming together, journals opening on blank pages, and those small-but-symbolic firsts that mark a new chapter.
4. January (Instrumental)
Perfect for the new year, NR24’s track is one of those quietly brilliant sounds that just works. It’s laid-back, unfussy, and ideal for letting your content do the talking. I’m seeing it used under voiceovers, product showcases, tutorials, recipes… pretty much anything.
5. New Beginnings (feat. Bvtter)
Are you starting to see a pattern here? I love this collective soft reset we’re all having. New Beginnings by Mighty Mouse is giving that “new year, new goals” energy: habit resets, fitness starts, business intentions, glow-ups in progress, and quiet recommitments to what matters.
6. Anything Could Happen
I’m not sad that Ellie Goulding’s Anything Could Happen is back in rotation. The lyric “Anything can happen, but let it happen with you” works for throwbacks, friendship montages, travel recaps, relationship moments, before-and-afters, or “here’s where we’re headed” content. Very 2026 energy.
7. Heroes
Another Stranger Things revival we didn’t know we needed: David Bowie’s Heroes. Since its emotional moment in the series finale, it’s been showing up all over reels with reflective montages of the show, finale clips, and emotional callbacks — a kind of collective sigh that Stranger Things is really over.
8. Summer Place by Percy Faith
Summer Place by Percy Faith is a pure vintage daydream. This lush, instrumental classic is popping up as an elegant backdrop for just about everything — travel clips, behind-the-scenes moments, recipes, slow product pans, you name it.
9. Sparks by Evan Jacobson
Evan Jacobson jokes that he’s “adding sax solos to songs that don’t need them,” but his cover of Coldplay’s Sparks absolutely earns its place. It’s perfect for reflective moments, cozy interiors, night-time city shots, soft routines, and beautifully shot lifestyle content.
10. When Doves Cry
Stranger Things strikes again. Prince’s catalog has exploded with Gen Z listeners since the finale aired. The final episode uses When Doves Cry as a celebratory escape before dropping straight into the emotional weight of Purple Rain.
❓ Did you know? When Doves Cry became Prince’s first chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100.
11. times of my life
After years of living as an unreleased fan favorite, mgk finally dropped this track on January 2. Recorded eight years ago (and his first-ever song with Travis Barker, casually), it’s being used on reels for reflective fan edits, heartbreak timelines, personal growth moments, and quiet inspiration.
12. Atlantis (Sped Up Version)
Thanks to its versatility, this track has become the go-to audio for the trend where creators post the last video on their camera roll. It just seems to work; whether the clip is funny, chaotic, tender, or totally mundane.
13. Original audio by Amir Henley
Creator @amirhenley used the dialogue below as a POV trend for “Me announcing who didn’t make the cut for the New Year,”, celebrating getting rid of limiting beliefs and toxic influences in 2026. I’m loving this boundary-building energy.
The dialogue: “She’s no longer with us.” “So she’s not on the team at all?” “Correct.” “And she won’t be back this season?” “Correct.”
How to find trending audio on Instagram
Not loving any of the above options? No sweat: here’s a crash course on how to find trending sounds on Instagram Reels.
- Use Instagram’s trending audio list: Check Instagram’s built-in leaderboard for the top 50 trending songs updated every few days. Find it when creating a post, story, or reel on the Instagram mobile app by tapping the music icon, then selecting ‘Trending.’ Save tracks for later with the bookmark icon.
- Check the professional dashboard: If you have a professional account in the US, visit the Professional Dashboard on your profile, scroll to Tips and resources, and tap Trending audio for curated suggestions on Instagram Reels.
- Look for the arrow icon: As you scroll reels, watch for an upward arrow next to audio tracks—that’s Instagram’s indicator that a sound is trending.
- Follow Instagram’s Creators account: The @creators account shares regular updates on trending songs, editing tips for Instagram Reels, and feature announcements. Check out their IG Anthems highlight for more trending songs and trending sounds.
- Check TikTok or YouTube Shorts for early trends: Many trending Instagram Reels sounds originate on TikTok or YouTube Shorts. Browse trending sounds there, then search for those tracks on Instagram to get ahead of the curve.
Don’t forget about original audio
As you can see from some of the audio we’ve mentioned on the list, many creators are making waves with their own clips, and jumping on a trending original track can give your content an extra boost and help it stand out in feeds.
💡Pro tip: You can find trending original audio on your professional dashboard under the Original audio tab.
Happy posting with these trending Instagram songs!
You’re well-equipped to find the next great trending audio on Instagram for your reels, carousels, or single-photo posts — and you’ve got several great tracks to put in your back pocket if you get stuck!
If you’ve created an Instagram Reel with one of these trending songs, we’d love to see it. Tag @buffer on Instagram so we can find you!
