How to Choose Music for Social Media Videos

Aug 20, 2025

Selecting the right music for your social media videos can be tricky, especially when considering whether to use trending sounds or songs. Here’s a guide to help you make the best choice for your content.

Trending Audio Can Help, but Isn’t Everything

Using trending songs or sounds can give your videos a boost, but trending audio alone won’t make your content go viral. The quality of your content, storytelling, and how engaging it is to viewers play a far bigger role in driving engagement.

 

Where to Find Trending Music

The best way to find trending audio is to spend time in the apps and explore their music libraries:

  • Instagram: Check the Reels tab, Explore page, and the Instagram library. Trending audio is marked with an upwards arrow on Meta platforms.
  • TikTok: Search in the TikTok library or explore trending sounds in the “Popular” section. 

Always check licensing! If a track is unavailable for your account type, it will appear greyed out or show an error.

 

Make Music Work for Your Content

When selecting music:

  • Prioritise tracks that fit the mood and message of your video.
  • Use trending audio when it enhances your story, but don’t force it just because it’s popular.
  • Ensure that your music choice aligns with your brand voice and audience expectations.

 

Final Thoughts

Trending sounds can be a helpful tool, but the heart of your video’s success is engaging content. Spend time exploring music libraries, experiment with different tracks, and focus on how the audio complements your story. A well-chosen track will enhance your content and keep viewers watching.

Want more social media updates like this? Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest news, tips, and strategies. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates packed with practical advice to help you grow your brand online.

Join our FREE Social Media Marketing Updates

Join our next Social Media Marketing Update. Each month we host a free, 1-hour webinar  exploring the latest trends and techniques to help social media marketers prosper. These online events are designed for social media managers, small business owners, and marketers wanting to stay ahead of the curve.

Who we’ve

worked with

FEATURED BY