How to Create Viral Instagram Content Using New Audio Features: The Ultimate Guide to Going Viral on Instagram with Reels

In 2024, Instagram continues to dominate as a platform for short video content, with Reels leading the way to help creators attract new followers and reach a larger audience. Leveraging trending audio and original audio is now a must-have skill for content creators aiming to go viral on Instagram Reels. By mastering the Instagram algorithm, understanding the importance of audio on Instagram, and creating unique content that connects with your audience, you can dramatically increase your chances of going viral.

Whether you’re a social media influencer, a content creator, or a social media manager, knowing how to find trending audio on Instagram, add audio effectively, and optimize your content strategy is crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use Instagram’s new audio features, craft compelling captions, and identify the best time to post to ensure your content stands out. Let’s dive into the tools, techniques, and tips that will help you create viral content and dominate Instagram in 2024.

How to Use Instagram’s New Audio Features to Go Viral

Instagram’s new audio features provide powerful tools for creators looking to boost their content’s visibility and reach a larger audience. Audio, whether it’s trending audio or original audio, plays a significant role in the Instagram algorithm, influencing which Reels get featured on the Explore page or appear in the Reels tab.

Why Audio Is Key for Instagram Reels in 2024

In 2024, audio is one of the most critical elements for success on Instagram Reels. The platform’s ability to pair compelling audio clips with engaging short video content increases your content’s chances of becoming relatable to your audience. Using the right sound on Instagram can make your video more memorable, improve watch times, and help it resonate with viewers. In fact, Reels featuring trending audio are far more likely to go viral because Instagram prioritizes content that is both engaging and timely.

To take full advantage of audio:

• Eye on what’s trending: Keep track of the trending audios in the Reels tab or within Instagram’s music library. Pay attention to songs or sounds that are being widely used by content creators.
• Use original audio: If you’re feeling creative, try to add your own audio. This can be a unique sound, a voiceover, or custom music. Creating an original audio track can help you stand out and encourage other users to engage with your content by reusing your sound.

Tips for Finding Trending Audio on Instagram

Finding and using the right audio can transform your content:

1. Scroll through Reels: Regularly check out Instagram’s Reels tab to spot audio tracks with the “upward arrow” icon, which indicates they’re trending.
2. Use Instagram’s search feature: Type keywords like “trending Instagram audio” or “trending audios” to identify what’s currently popular.
3. Follow creators and influencers: Stay updated by observing what popular content creators and influencers are using in their Reels.
4. Save audio for later: When you find a track you want to use, click on the music icon and save it to your audio library.

I noticed that my shorter Reels, around 15 seconds long, were getting decent engagement. However, after reading about the effectiveness of longer Reels, I decided to test this myself. I created a 60-second tutorial on a trending topic, and to my surprise, it garnered over 300,000 views, significantly higher than my shorter videos.

Best Strategies to Create Viral Instagram Reels

To maximize your chances of creating viral content on Instagram Reels, it’s essential to combine creativity with smart strategy. From using original audio to optimizing hashtags and captions, these strategies will help boost your content’s visibility and reach the larger audience you’re aiming for.

The Role of Original Audio and How to Add Your Own

Creating and using original audio is one of the best ways to stand out on Instagram. While trending audios are a great shortcut to get noticed, having your own audio clip in your Instagram Reel can attract more viewers and encourage other creators to use your sound, driving traffic back to your profile.

Here’s how to add your own original audio:

1. Create and Upload Your Audio: You can record a voiceover, a unique sound effect, or even a music piece.
2. Add the Audio to Your Reel: When uploading your video, tap on the audio icon, choose “Add your own audio,” and sync it with your content.
3. Name Your Audio: Give it a catchy and memorable title to help other creators find it easily.

Using original audio allows you to:

• Build your own trend and inspire user-generated content.
• Gain traction on the Reels tab and possibly get featured.
• Boost your chances of going viral by offering something unique and shareable.

Many content creators have gone viral simply by adding a fun or relatable piece of content with their own audio. Combined with quality visuals, your audio could set a new trend!

In 2023, Fevicol, a leading adhesive brand in India, revitalized its classic ‘Tug of War’ advertisement by launching a user-generated content (UGC) campaign on Instagram Reels. They encouraged users to recreate the iconic ad using Instagram’s Remix feature, fostering engagement and brand interaction. This campaign not only boosted Fevicol’s online presence but also demonstrated the power of leveraging UGC to connect with a digital audience.

Hashtags, Captions, and Best Time to Post for Maximum Reach

While Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes engaging content, using the right hashtags, crafting impactful captions, and posting at the best time can amplify your content’s visibility.

1. Hashtags:

• Use a mix of trending hashtags and niche-specific hashtags that relate to your content.
• Include hashtags like #ViralReels, #TrendingAudio, and other relevant keywords to improve your reach.
• Limit your use to 10-15 hashtags to avoid appearing spammy while maximizing your chances to appear on the Explore page.

2. Captions:

• Write concise and engaging captions that support your video content.
• Use captions to spark curiosity, ask a question, or add context to your Reel.
• Emojis and call-to-action phrases like “Tap to listen!” or “Follow for more!” can encourage audience interaction.

3. Best Time to Post:
The timing of your post significantly affects how well your Reel performs. To determine the best time to post:

• Check Instagram Insights to identify when your audience is most active.
• Generally, the best posting times for Reels are:
  • Early morning (7-9 AM)
  • Lunchtime (11 AM-1 PM)
  • Evenings (6-9 PM)

Posting during these windows ensures higher engagement, improving your chances of going viral on Instagram.

By combining these strategies—leveraging original audio, optimizing hashtags and captions, and posting at the right time—you can effectively capture your audience’s attention, drive views, and create content that stands out in a crowded Reels tab.

To boost the visibility of my Reels, I began sharing previews on my Instagram Stories. I added engaging captions and interactive stickers to entice my audience. This strategy led to a noticeable increase in Reel views and follower engagement.

Trending Instagram Audio vs. TikTok Sounds

With the rise of short-form video content, both Instagram and TikTok have become leading platforms for creators aiming to go viral. One of the key differences—and opportunities—lies in how each platform handles audio clips and trending sounds. Knowing how to leverage these differences can help you gain an edge in your content strategy and reach a wider audience.

How to Find Trending Audios on Instagram and TikTok

Finding trending audios on Instagram and TikTok requires a bit of exploration but can significantly improve your chances of going viral. Here’s how to identify what’s popular on each platform:

On Instagram:

1. Reels Tab: Scroll through the Reels tab to look for tracks with the upward arrow symbol, indicating that the audio is trending.
2. Search Feature: Use keywords like “trending Instagram audio” or specific genres to discover trending tracks quickly.
3. Follow Creators: Monitor what popular influencers and content creators are using. If you notice a sound repeatedly, it’s a good sign it’s trending.
4. Save Audio: Once you find an audio track, tap the music icon and save it for future use.

On TikTok:

1. For You Page (FYP): Spend time scrolling through TikTok’s FYP to find sounds being used by a large number of creators.
2. Trending Sounds Tab: Under the “Discover” tab, TikTok highlights popular sounds and trends.
3. Hashtags: Search hashtags like #TrendingSounds or #TikTokViral to find popular audio clips.

While Instagram trending audios tend to favor music and sound clips, TikTok sounds often focus on remixable content like voiceovers, memes, and audio snippets. Content creators can cross-promote by using similar audio clips on both platforms, ensuring a broader reach and increasing their chances of going viral.

Content Creators’ Tips for Using Trending Audio

Using trending audio effectively requires creativity and timing. Here are some expert tips to make the most out of audio for Reels and TikTok:

1. Be Quick to Adopt Trends: Trending audios move fast, so the sooner you hop on a trend, the better your chances of reaching a larger audience.
2. Pair Audio with Relatable Content: The content’s quality and relevance matter just as much as the sound. Make sure your piece of content aligns with your audience’s interests.
3. Add Originality: Even with trending audios, try to create unique content that sets your video apart. Put your spin on the trend by adding your own captions, background music, or user-generated content.
4. Cross-Promote Audio Trends: If a sound is popular on TikTok, consider repurposing it for Instagram Reels while adapting your content to fit the platform’s style.
5. Engage with the Audio: Use captions or text overlays to encourage viewers to interact with your video—ask them to comment, share, or try the audio themselves.

By understanding the strengths of both platforms—Instagram’s focus on curated trending audios and TikTok’s fast-paced viral sounds—you can tailor your content creation for maximum impact. Whether you’re creating content for Instagram or TikTok, the key is to stay creative, timely, and relatable to your audience.

Content Strategy for Influencers and Brands

For influencers and brands, Instagram Reels offer a dynamic way to showcase creativity, build an audience, and grow a strong marketing strategy. By leveraging audio on Insta—whether through trending audios or original audio—you can significantly enhance your content’s impact, making it more engaging, relatable, and likely to go viral.

How Audio Enhances Your Instagram Marketing Strategy

Incorporating audio for Reels into your content strategy helps influencers and brands connect with their audience on a deeper level. Here’s how audio elevates your Instagram marketing:

1. Increased Visibility and Reach
   Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes engaging content that uses popular trends. Videos with trending Instagram audio are more likely to appear on the Explore page and attract a larger audience.
2. Strong Emotional Connection
   Audio adds an emotional layer to your content. Using the right background music or audio clips can make your Reels more engaging and relatable to your audience. Emotional resonance increases shares and comments, boosting visibility.
3. Unique Branding
   For brands, creating original audio—like jingles, sound effects, or voiceovers—helps establish a unique brand voice. This strategy not only builds recognition but also encourages others to use the audio, helping your content spread organically.
4. Attracting New Followers
   Engaging content paired with the right sound can quickly attract new followers. Pairing popular hashtags, compelling captions, and trending audio ensures that your video reaches the right people.
5. Cross-Platform Promotion
   Many brands successfully repurpose audio trends from TikTok onto Instagram Reels, ensuring their content has a broader reach while maintaining relevance.

Real Examples of Reels That Went Viral with Audio

Here are a few inspiring examples of how influencers and brands have gone viral by effectively using audio for Reels:

1. Lifestyle Influencers Using Trending Audio
   Popular creators like fitness or lifestyle influencers often use trending songs or audios to show “a day in my life” clips or quick tips. By combining relatable content with a viral sound, these videos garner thousands of views and shares.
   • Example: A 15-second Reel showcasing a morning routine with a trending song earned one influencer 200K views overnight.
2. Brands Creating Original Audio for Campaigns
   Major brands often create original audio as part of their marketing campaigns. This unique strategy encourages other creators to join the trend.
   • Example: A fashion brand launched a Reel with a custom voiceover saying, “Tag your best friend who’d love this look!”. The audio was reused by over 1,000 creators, expanding the campaign’s visibility.
3. User-Generated Content with Audio Trends
   Brands that encourage their audience to create user-generated content often achieve massive reach. For instance, a beauty brand might ask users to recreate a makeup look using a specific trending sound.
   • Example: A Reel featuring a transformation video synced to trending audio hit 1 million views, driving traffic to the influencer’s page and boosting brand sales.
4. Niche Content Creators Pairing Captions with Audio
   Niche creators—like chefs, pet owners, or artists—can use audio tracks creatively. Pairing a trending sound with on-screen text and well-crafted captions makes content shareable and relatable.
   • Example: A Reel showing a “before and after” home makeover synced to a viral track gained massive traction and thousands of shares.

By blending audio trends with creative visuals and strong content strategy, influencers and brands can elevate their Reels, increase engagement, and ensure their content reaches a wider audience.

In 2023, there was a significant rise in the adoption of Instagram Reels by brands, with usage increasing by 86% compared to the previous year. This trend underscores the growing importance of Reels in digital marketing strategies.

Tips for Creating Standout Content Using Audio Features

Creating standout content on Instagram Reels involves combining trending audios, original audio, and well-thought-out visuals to ensure your video captures attention and improves your chances of going viral. Here are key tips to help your content stand out in a crowded Reels tab.

Best Practices to Make Your Reel Go Viral on Instagram

1. Choose the Right Audio
   Whether it’s a trending sound or your own original audio, make sure the audio complements your content. Align the rhythm and beat of the sound with your video’s pacing to keep viewers engaged.
   • Use the Reels tab to discover trending audio quickly and act fast to leverage rising trends.
2. Hook Your Audience Within the First 3 Seconds
   The first few seconds of your Reel are critical to grabbing attention. Use eye-catching visuals, on-screen text, or start with the most engaging moment to hook viewers immediately.
   • Pair this with an energetic or intriguing audio clip to keep them watching.
3. Optimize Captions and Hashtags
   • Write short and impactful captions that spark curiosity or offer value. For example: “Make sure you use this trending audio before it’s too late!”
   • Use trending hashtags like #ViralReels, #TrendingAudio, and niche-specific tags to help Instagram’s algorithm serve your content to the right audience.
4. Focus on Content Quality and Relevance
   The content’s quality and relevance determine its success. Use high-resolution videos, compelling storytelling, and visually appealing edits. Make sure your Reels are relatable to your audience and aligned with their interests.
   • Combine trending sounds with content ideas like:
     • How-to videos (e.g., “Learn how to make…”)
     • Transformation videos with before-and-after shots
     • Relatable humor or challenges that resonate with trends
5. Encourage Engagement
   The more people interact with your Reel, the better it performs. Use on-screen prompts like:
   • “Tag a friend who needs to hear this!”
   • “What’s your favorite part? Comment below!”

   Incorporate engaging audio clips that inspire viewers to recreate your Reel using the same sound.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Audio on Instagram Reels

1. Avoid Using Copyrighted Music Incorrectly
   Use audio tracks only from Instagram’s music library or upload your own original audio. Misuse of copyrighted music could get your video muted or removed.
2. Ignoring Trends
   While originality is important, ignoring trending audios could cause your Reels to miss out on valuable opportunities to gain visibility. Stay updated and act quickly.
3. Poor Audio-Visual Sync
   Make sure your audio track is synced perfectly with your video transitions. Reels with mismatched sounds can lose viewers quickly.
4. Not Adding Captions
   Many users watch videos without sound, so captions are crucial for accessibility and engagement. Highlight key messages to ensure viewers stay hooked even with the sound off.
5. Overcrowding Content
   Keep your videos clean and simple. Avoid overloading them with unnecessary text or visuals that distract from the audio clip or core message.

By following these tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can master the art of creating viral Reels that effectively use audio. Whether you’re using trending audios or crafting original audio, focusing on content quality and audience connection will set you apart.

Data from 2023 indicates that Instagram Reels achieve an average engagement rate of 1.23% per post, outperforming other content formats on the platform. This highlights the effectiveness of Reels in capturing audience attention.

Conclusion

Creating viral content on Instagram in 2024 requires a strategic approach, and leveraging audio features plays a central role in your success. Whether you’re using trending audios, crafting original audio, or exploring new ways to make your content creation stand out, the key lies in being creative, timely, and authentic.

By keeping an eye on what’s trending, pairing audio clips with engaging visuals, and optimizing your hashtags, captions, and posting times, you can dramatically increase your chances of going viral. Whether you’re an influencer, a content creator, or a brand, mastering the use of audio for Reels will help you attract a larger audience, gain new followers, and connect with viewers in meaningful ways.

So, start experimenting with sound on Instagram, create unique content, and watch your Reels shine in the Reels tab and beyond. The right audio could be the key to making your next Reel the one that goes viral on Instagram!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my Instagram Reels be to maximize engagement?

Instagram Reels should ideally be 15-30 seconds long to keep viewers’ attention while delivering value quickly. Shorter videos often perform better in the Instagram algorithm because they are more likely to be watched to the end, which boosts your views on Instagram.

How can I use Instagram Stories to promote my Reels?

Use Instagram Stories to share snippets or teasers of your Reels. Add interactive elements like polls, countdowns, or stickers to engage your audience and encourage them to watch the full Reel. Stories can also help highlight the content of your video and keep it visible even after it no longer appears on your profile feed.

How can I make my music or audio go viral on Instagram?

To make your music go viral, create an original audio clip that’s catchy and relevant to current trends. Encourage followers on Instagram to use your sound by creating engaging content that inspires others. Feature your audio in making Reels and promote it through Instagram Live sessions or Instagram Stories to expand its reach.

What are some ideas to create engaging Reels that attract followers?

Focus on ideas and creating Reels that resonate with your audience’s needs and interests. Examples include:

• • Quick tutorials or “Learn how to make” videos.
  • Relatable humor paired with trending on Instagram audio.
  • Inspirational content or challenges.
    Combine this with strong visuals, captions like Google-style prompts (e.g., “How to…”), and a call-to-action to encourage shares and likes.

How does the Instagram algorithm decide which Reels become viral?

The Instagram algorithm prioritizes Reels based on engagement metrics like views, shares, likes, and comments. Videos with audio that is great, compelling hooks, and high-quality visuals are more likely to become viral. Additionally, content that keeps users watching longer—like well-timed cuts or seconds-long impactful storytelling—can gain more visibility without worrying about being overlooked.

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