Adding Trending Audio to Instagram Reels
Table of Contents
This feature is currently being introduced to Sprout users with a phased rollout. As a result, Trending Audio may not be available for your account at this time, but will be soon!
Overview
Trending Audio for Instagram Reels lets you search for, preview, and attach audio tracks to your Instagram Reels directly from Sprout's Compose window.
By adding trending sounds to your video content, you can increase discoverability and engagement without leaving Sprout to post natively. The audio selection draws from Instagram's Commercial Music library and Original Audio, with volume mixing controls that let you balance the track against your video's original sound.
Supported Capabilities in Sprout
- Search Instagram's Commercial Music library for available tracks or browse Original Audio — sounds created by other Instagram users — and attach them to your Reels.
- Preview audio tracks before committing to a selection (note: due to API limitations, certain audio tracks may only be previewable on Instagram directly).
- Adjust the attached audio volume and your video's original sound volume independently on a 0–100 scale.
- Remove or change your audio selection at any point before publishing.
How to Use Trending Audio for Instagram Reels in Compose
- Open Compose and select an Instagram Business Profile from the Profile Picker.
- Upload a video file (note: the audio feature is only available for Reels).
- In the Instagram Options panel, click Add Audio to open the audio selection window.
- Use the dropdown to switch between Music (Commercial Music library) and Original Audio (Sounds).
- Search by keyword or browse the default trending results. Select a track to preview it.
- Once you've chosen a track, adjust the Audio Volume and Video Volume sliders to set your preferred mix.
- Click Save to attach the audio to your post. The selected track will appear in the Instagram Options panel with options to edit or remove it.
- Continue scheduling your Reel within the Sprout calendar
Trending Audio FAQs
What audio library is available when I add trending audio to Instagram Reels in Sprout?
Sprout provides access to Instagram's Commercial Music library and Original Audio. The Commercial Music library is the same catalog available to Business Profiles when posting Reels natively on Instagram. It does not include all popular music or copyrighted songs — only tracks licensed for business use through Instagram's API.
Can I select a specific section or timestamp of a song when adding trending audio to my Instagram Reel in Sprout?
Not at this time. When you attach audio to an Instagram Reel through Sprout, Instagram plays the track from the beginning for the duration of your video. Due to limitations with Instagram’s API, there is no option to pick a specific start or end point for Instagram Reels audio.
Can I use trending audio for a photo or carousel post?
No. Due to API limitations, adding Instagram audio is only available for Reels at this time.
Are the listed Music and Original Audio tracks in Sprout expected to match what’s available in the Instagram Mobile App?
There may be some slight variance with the tracks populating via the API, however, the list should closely align with the available audio listed under the Trending tabs for an Instagram Business Profile in the Instagram Mobile App.
Can I adjust the volume of the trending audio and my video's original sound separately in Sprout?
Yes. When you select a track, you can independently adjust the audio track volume (how loud the music/sound is) and the video volume (how loud your video's original audio is) on a scale of 0 to 100.
Can I change or remove the trending audio on my Instagram Reel after it has been published?
Once your Reel has been published to Instagram, you cannot edit the published post or audio within Sprout. However, you are able to adjust or edit the post natively within Instagram. Additionally, you can change or remove the audio at any point before the post is published in Sprout (including on scheduled and draft posts).
Why can't I preview certain Audio tracks directly within Sprout?
Some audio tracks do not return a playable preview from Instagram's API. In these cases, you may see an option to listen to the track on Instagram directly. This is an Instagram limitation, not a Sprout issue.
My Reel was published with trending audio but it's not showing up on Instagram's audio page yet — is something wrong?
This is expected. There can be a delay of 10 to 20 minutes before your published Reel appears on Instagram's original audio view (the page showing all videos tagged with that specific audio). This latency is on Instagram's side and is not specific to posts published through Sprout.
Will adding trending audio to my Instagram Reel cause copyright issues?
Sprout uses Instagram's official API to provide audio, which means the tracks available to you are the same ones Instagram makes available to Business Profiles natively. However, Instagram may remove or mute content if a copyright claim is filed — in those cases, your Reel may play as a silent video. This is the same behavior you would experience posting natively and is enforced by Instagram, not Sprout.
Is trending audio for Instagram Reels available on Sprout's mobile app?
Currently, you are not able to add audio when composing a post within Sprout’s mobile apps. Adding audio is only supported within the desktop experience. That said, the audio will not drop from an already scheduled post if you are editing in the mobile app.
Can I add trending audio to TikTok videos in Sprout?
TikTok audio is not available in Sprout at this time but we are working closely with TikTok as they continue to develop their API support for this feature.
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