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.
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13 trending songs and audio on Instagram
Here’s a quick summary of what is trending in May 2026.
Trending songs on Instagram in 2026
1. POP DAT THING (Official Remix)
POP DAT THANG (Official Remix) by DaBaby, GloRilla, Yung Miami, and YKNIECE only just dropped, but Instagram creators wasted no time jumping on it. With thousands of reels already using the sound, it’s being used for a range of content — gym clips, lip syncs, fashion edits, travel recaps, you name it.
⚠️ Warning: contains expletives.
2. OKAY!
Forrest Frank’s new track bringing upbeat, gratitude-filled energy to Instagram right now. The feel-good lyrics and sunny production have also sparked a dance challenge.
3. YAHWEH
YAHWEH bringing a fresh wave of feel-good energy to Instagram — part of what Forrest Frank calls “Christian music that feels like summer.” It’s got an easy, reggae-inspired rhythm, and creators are pairing it with sunny, outdoorsy content, day-in-the-life clips, and sometimes faith-based reflections.
4. Bottom Of Your Boots
Ella Langley’s new song is very much a “say it with your whole chest” kind of track. After being teased live and on This Past Weekend podcast, creators are leaning into it with lip syncs and soft country aesthetics.
5. Original audio by chrisbrownofficial
How could a tour announcement from Chris Brown and Usher not become a major trending sound moment? The original trailer audio — packed with revving engines and that cinematic “we’re pulling up” energy — is being reused by fans, news accounts, and promos. If your content has a main event moment, try this sound to do the heavy lifting for you.
6. A Good Day Humming
This track by Mimi Chill Music features soft humming and light acoustic tones. It’s gentle, cozy, and uplifting — quintessentially Instagram. It’s perfect for morning coffee routines, tidy homes, pets curled up in sun patches, aesthetic brand content, and those intentional, slow-living moments.
7. Titanium x Please Me (Slowed)
This song by TRUE CHAD is fueling a fun “stress-o-meter” trend. Creators use the mash-up to contrast two scenarios: a high-cortisol moment followed by the low-cortisol antidote (generally leaning towards a tongue-in-cheek reveal).
8. Planet Rock
Following the passing of Afrika Bambaataa in April, his hit Planet Rock is seeing a resurgence on Instagram. The 1982 track — a cornerstone of early hip-hop and electronic music — is being used by fans and creators to honor his legacy, with clips that celebrate the culture he helped shape.
9. april
april by ILOVEFLOWERS is making an appropriately on-the-nose appearance across Instagram right now. It’s a soft piano track that feels like spring in audio form — light, delicate, and easy to layer under just about anything. I’ve been seeing it paired with travel, crafting, art, baking, and anything that lends itself to a pretty aesthetic.
10. Be Like a Woman
Be Like a Woman by Chris Rainbow is the backdrop to one of the easiest-to-recreate Instagram formats right now. The trend starts with the on-screen text “This looks so cool, I have to capture it,” then unfolds into a stream of aesthetic clips, favorite finds, recommendations, or little mood board moments worth saving.
11. Runway
If there’s ever been a sound designed for a dramatic entrance (or exit), this is it. Runway by Lady Gaga and Doechii is the lead single from The Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack, and it leans all the way into bold struts. “No matter what, no matter what. You got to strut. Walk, I’m feeling fab. I’m feeling free, I feel exceptionally me.”
12. The One That Got Away
The One That Got Away by Katy Perry is becoming the soundtrack to everyone’s personal horror franchise. Creators are using it for “top five horror movies” list-style videos, where the “movies” are actually painfully relatable situations, pet peeves, or niche nightmares.
13. Original audio by marieclairegreece
Another The Devil Wears Prada 2 moment is taking over Instagram — and even Meryl Streep is in on it. Creators are recreating the film’s icy judgment scene, complete with the slow, disappointed stare and that cutting little “That’s all.”
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!
https://buffer.com/resources/trending-audio-instagram/