How to Make Trending Reels on Instagram: Crafting Viral Content

Understanding Instagram Reels and trends

1
1. What makes a Reel trending

If you're wondering how to make trending Reels, the key lies in engagement, timing, originality, and popular music. Instagram favors Reels that quickly gain likes, shares, and comments. Using trending audio, eye-catching visuals, and interactive elements can help your content reach a wider audience.

2
1. The Instagram algorithm and Reels visibility

Understanding how the algorithm works is essential for creating new trending Reels on Instagram. The algorithm prioritizes Reels based on watch time, interactions, and replays. To maximize visibility, focus on high-quality content, use relevant hashtags, and engage with your audience through captions and comments.

3
1. Identifying trends on Instagram

Explore Instagram's Reels tab, trending audio library, and Explore page to stay ahead of trends. Instagram Insights can help track viral content. Competitor analysis is also a great way to refine your approach and discover how to make new trending Reels on Instagram that capture attention.

How to make trending Reels on Instagram - Planning and ideation

Research and trend analysis

Researching current trends is essential to creating viral content. Explore Instagram's Reels tab, Explore page, and trending audio library to identify popular themes. Use hashtags, viral challenges, and competitor analysis to discover what's gaining traction. Staying updated with trends ensures you know how to make new trending Reels on Instagram before they peak.

How to find trending Instagram Reels

• Reel trends insights: U.S. users can check "Reels Trends" under "Settings and activity" to find trending sounds and hashtags.
• Create a Reel using trending templates: Tap Create > Reel > Templates to find trending and recommended templates for quick content creation.
• Follow Instagram @Creators: Get the latest Reels trends, editing tips, and platform updates.

Content ideation and scripting

Brainstorming unique and engaging ideas is crucial for crafting trending Reels. Outline your concepts using storyboards and scripts to ensure a smooth flow. Tools like CapCut's AI writer can assist in generating creative captions and script ideas, making content creation easier. Aligning your content with your niche or brand identity helps maintain authenticity while still tapping into trends.  

Use storyboards and scripts to structure your Reel. A simple script includes:

• Hook (First 3 seconds): Grab attention with a question, bold statement, or visual impact. For example,
• Main content: Deliver your message concisely with engaging visuals and captions.
• Call-to-action (CTA): Encourage likes, comments, shares, or follows.

Tools and resources for trend research

Utilize Instagram Explore, analytics tools, and competitor insights to track emerging trends. Apps like TikTok and TrendTok Analytics can help analyze viral content patterns. Monitoring these platforms gives you a strategic edge in how to make Instagram trending Reels that resonate with your audience.

Mobile solution: Creating high-quality Instagram Reels

STEP 1
1. Record the video

Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and tap the "+" (Create) button at the bottom center of the screen. From the options available, select "Reel." This will open the Instagram camera.

To start recording, press and hold the record button at the bottom. If you want to record in segments, release the button and press it again to continue. Ensure you're shooting in vertical mode (9:16) for the best Instagram experience. Once the recording is complete, tap "Next" to enter the editing screen.

STEP 2
1. Edit the Reel

Tap on "Edit video." Here, you can trim clips by selecting them from the timeline at the bottom and adjusting their length. Tap the "Music" and search for a popular song to add trending music. Select the part of the track that fits your Reel.

To enhance your Reel with text, tap "Aa" (Text tool) and type your caption. Drag the text to position it where you want it to appear. Adjust the duration by tapping the text in the timeline and setting when it appears or disappears. For effects, tap the sparkle icon and browse through filters, AR effects, or transitions.

STEP 3
1. Share the Reel

After editing, tap "Next" to move to the sharing screen. In the caption box, write an engaging description using relevant hashtags to increase visibility. Tap on "Share" to post the Reel.

Desktop solution: Make trending Instagram Reels with CapCut

Creating Reels on a desktop allows for more precise editing, better effects, and professional-quality enhancements that the Instagram app might lack. CapCut offers advanced tools like AI-powered effects, seamless transitions, and high-quality export settings, making it easier to craft viral Reels. Whether you're adding text overlays, applying smooth transitions, or using auto captions, CapCut simplifies the entire process, helping you create content that resonates with your audience.

Key features

• Visual elements: There are many visual elements in CapCut, such as stickers, filters, and effects.
• Trending audio: CapCut provides plenty of copyright-free trending music and sound effects.
• AI tools: AI tools in CapCut allow you to easily create viral Reels, including auto captions, AI stickers, and so on.

Step-by-step guide to editing trending Reels easily

STEP 1
1. Import media

Open CapCut and click "New project." Drag and drop your raw footage into the media library or click "Import" to upload files manually. Set the aspect ratio to 9:16 for an optimized Instagram Reel.

STEP 2
1. Edit and enhance the Reel

Firstly, you can add visual elements like filters, transitions, and effects to the Reel. Then, go to "Audio" to search for trending music and add it to the timeline, and then adjust the audio volume or length. To adjust the Reel color, you can use "Adjustments" to adjust the Reel color, lightness, and so on.

STEP 3
1. Export the Reel

Once your editing is complete, click "Export" and choose the best resolution for Instagram. Save the video in MP4 or MOV format and transfer it to your phone for easy uploading.

Optimizing your Reels for maximum reach

If you're looking to boost your visibility and engagement on Instagram, optimizing your Reels is key. Let's explore the ways to optimize your Reels.

Effective use of captions, hashtags, and CTAs

A compelling caption can grab attention, while strategic hashtags (5-10 relevant ones) increase discoverability. Use a mix of trending, niche-specific, and branded hashtags to maximize reach. Adding a clear call to action (CTA)—such as "Like & share for more!" or "Drop your thoughts in the comments!"—encourages engagement and interaction. You can easily add captions or CTA buttons using CapCut with its auto-captions and stickers feature.

Timing, frequency, and consistency

Posting during peak hours (when your audience is most active) can boost visibility. Maintaining a consistent posting schedule— daily, every other day, or weekly—helps build audience anticipation and steady engagement. You can use YouTube Studio to schedule your video posts in advance to save time.

Engagement and cross-promotion strategies

Collaborating with influencers or content creators can expose your Reels to a wider audience. To increase visibility, cross-promote by sharing your Reels on Instagram Stories, Facebook, and TikTok. Encourage interaction by responding to comments, using polls, and asking questions to keep your audience engaged.

Top trending Reels on Instagram in 2025

As 2025 unfolds, Instagram Reels continue to dominate social media, with fresh trends emerging across various niches. From fashion to fitness, creators are experimenting with new formats, viral audio, and creative storytelling to capture audience attention. Below are some of the top trending Reels on Instagram in 2025, categorized by niche and featuring specific viral examples.

1
1. Food

Food-themed videos have always been popular on social media platforms, and Instagram is no exception. This Reel "A new beginning 2025" features a high-speed recipe transformation, where simple ingredients turn into a gourmet dish in under 30 seconds. Fast-paced editing, ASMR cooking sounds, and engaging text overlays make it addictive to watch.

2
1. DIY ASMR

This soothing "Get Ready With Me" (GRWM) Reel showcases a relaxing nighttime skincare routine. The creator applies their favorite skincare products in a dimly lit, aesthetic setting enhanced with calming music and soft transitions. The ASMR-like product application and skincare tips keep viewers engaged.

3
1. Travel

This visually captivating Reel "Here's the best places to visit in Jan, 2025" showcases stunning clips of top travel destinations—Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Switzerland—set to a dreamy, wanderlust-inducing soundtrack. The seamless transitions between breathtaking landscapes create a mesmerizing effect, while the interactive caption ("What's on your bucket list for Jan 2025?") encourages audience engagement.

4
1. Fitness

This Reel "66-inch seated box jump – watch till the end!" captures an incredible 66-inch seated box jump performed by a 210 lbs, 5’11” athlete. The slow-motion effect at the peak of the jump, combined with intense background music and dramatic camera angles, heightens anticipation. The shocking final moment keeps viewers hooked till the end, making it a viral hit in the fitness community.

5
1. Tech

This Reel "Best foldable phone this 2025? This is the HUAWEI Mate X6!" showcases the HUAWEI Mate X6, highlighting its sleek, foldable design, seamless display transition, and advanced features. Smooth close-up shots and quick-cut edits emphasize the phone’s premium build, while an engaging voiceover and on-screen text break down its key specs. The futuristic appeal and curiosity around 2025’s best foldable phone make this Reel a trending hit among tech enthusiasts.

6
1. Fashion

This Reel "Elie Saab Spring Summer 2025" captures the essence of high fashion with breathtaking visuals from the Elie Saab Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Flowing fabrics, intricate embroidery, and elegant runway moments are paired with cinematic slow-motion shots and dramatic lighting. The luxurious appeal, combined with a trending audio track, makes this Reel a standout, drawing fashion lovers eager to see the latest haute couture trends of 2025.

Conclusion

Mastering how to make trending Reels on Instagram involves combining strategic planning, creative content creation, and smart optimization. Staying updated with trends, using engaging visuals, leveraging hashtags, and posting consistently can boost your visibility and engagement. You can create Reels on Instagram, but for more editing tools, CapCut is the best video editor to make new trending Reels. With AI-powered captions, smooth transitions, and trending audio, CapCut simplifies the process while enhancing creativity.

Start using CapCut today to create viral Instagram Reels and grow your audience!

FAQs

1
1. How long should my Instagram Reels be for optimal engagement?

For maximum engagement, keep your Reels between 7 to 15 seconds. Short, impactful videos tend to perform better, encouraging replays and higher retention rates. However, if your content requires more depth, you can extend it up to 30–60 seconds, ensuring it remains engaging and fast-paced. CapCut allows you to adjust the Reel length easily.

2
1. How to reuse YouTube video content for Instagram Reels?

To reuse your YouTube video for Instagram Reels, you can use CapCut's long video to shorts feature. It allows you to convert a regular long video to several vertical shorts. Then, edit the shorts using filters, effects, and music.

3
1. How can I find trending audio tracks to use in my Reels?

To discover trending audio, check the Reels Trends section in Instagram's app or explore viral sounds on Instagram's @Creators account. CapCut also offers a built-in music library with trending copyright-free sounds, making it easier to add viral tracks to your Reels and enhance their reach.