Top Instagram Reel Trends in 2025 Every Small Business Should Try
- Noah Uy
- May 6
- 12 min read
Updated: Jun 5
Instagram Reels continue to dominate short-form content. Whether you’re a content creator, brand, or small business, tapping into the top Instagram Reels trends is one of the fastest ways to boost your reach and connect with audiences on a more personal level.
In this post, we’ll break down Reel trends that are gaining major traction every month — and how you can use them to showcase your brand, tell authentic stories, and spark real engagement.
Table of Contents
What are Instagram Reels Trends?
Instagram Reels trends refer to the popular styles, challenges, or themes that are currently trending on the platform. These trends often involve a catchy song or audio, and can range from dance challenges to showcasing products or services.
Trending Reels typically feature specific audio clips, visual effects, or themes that resonate with a wide audience. By participating in these trends, businesses can tap into the collective excitement and increase their chances of being discovered by new followers.
Why Follow Instagram Reels Trends?
Following Instagram Reels trends is beneficial for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to increase visibility and engagement, as trending content is more likely to be seen by a wider audience. When you create Reels that align with current trends, the Instagram algorithm is more likely to favor your content, boosting its reach.
Secondly, it allows businesses to connect with their audience on a personal level, showcasing their personality and creativity.
Finally, it provides a unique opportunity to showcase products or services in a creative and engaging way, making your brand more memorable and relatable.
Instagram Reel Trends for June 2025
The Six Syllables
Audio: wonderkindco
Trend Format: Creators lip-sync to an audio that emphasizes six rhythmic syllables. It’s short, snappy, and often paired with a text overlay that fits the beat.
Why It Works: It’s fast, catchy, and addictive—exactly the kind of format that sticks in people’s minds and works well for punchy product highlights.
How Small Businesses Can Use It: Use this trend to show off a product, service, or benefit in exactly six syllables. Make sure it aligns with the beat and is visually clear.
Examples:
A coffee shop: “You deserve a matcha”
Fitness coach: “Lift heavy, feel better”
A boutique: “Join our live sale at eight”
The magic is in the timing, so pair with high-quality footage that reinforces your six-syllable message.
The Butterfly Effect
Audio: alexia.kosior
Trend Format: Reels begin with a caption like “The butterfly effect is crazy because what if…” followed by a glimpse into how life could’ve gone differently.
Why It Works: This trend tugs at emotion and curiosity. It lets creators reflect on pivotal choices—especially those that changed everything.
How Small Businesses Can Use It: Perfect for founder stories or brand journeys. It lets you show appreciation for humble beginnings and create connection through storytelling.
Examples:
“What if I never posted that first product…”
“What if I never quit my 9–5?” (paired with a flashback to working in an office)
“What if I never joined that holiday market?” (cut to a bustling online store)
Ideal for small business owners looking to humanize their brand and show how one decision sparked growth.
I'm No Therapist, But...
Audio: campbelllllll
Trend Format: Creators share hot takes or advice prefaced by “I’m no therapist, but…” while showing video footage that supports their statement.
Why It Works: The hook is confident but casual. It invites strong opinions or helpful insights without claiming authority—making it perfect for creators and brands alike.
How Small Businesses Can Use It: Use this trend to casually introduce a solution, tip, or product you know works. It’s great for coaching, wellness, or food-focused brands where personal perspective matters.
Examples:
A fitness coach: “I’m no therapist, but lifting heavy might help more than journaling.”
A meal prep business: “I’m no therapist, but cooking once a week saves your brain.”
A candle brand: “I’m no therapist, but lighting this at 8 p.m. fixes 80% of problems.”
Keep the tone conversational and show the product or routine in action.
Do You Work Here?
Audio: rw.coffeeandwine
Trend Format: A person is asked “Do you work here?” while standing in a store or workspace. The camera then cuts to a montage of visual clues—uniforms, merch, name tags, product displays—answering the question with a clear yes.
Why It Works: This trend uses humor and aesthetic appeal to say “I am the brand.” It’s perfect for showcasing personality, behind-the-scenes views, and branding.
How Small Businesses Can Use It: Use it to spotlight your team, store design, products, or even just your vibe. It’s a creative way to reintroduce your business visually.
Examples:
A coffee shop: camera zooms to latte art, branded apron, custom menu board
A bookstore: pans across favorite titles, bookmarks, and tote bags
A handmade jewelry biz: close-ups of tools, packaging, and the final product
It’s a visual love letter to your brand identity—with a wink.
Mental Health Walk
Audio: joeltkl
Trend Format: A creator says they’re going on a “mental health walk,” but instead of nature, they head to places like a nail salon, aesthetic clinic, or shopping mall. The humor comes from the unexpected destinations.
Why It Works: This trend taps into relatable self-care routines—with a comedic twist. It redefines what mental health breaks can look like in the real world, blending authenticity with levity.
How Small Businesses Can Use It: It’s a fun way for beauty, wellness, or retail brands to position their offerings as self-care essentials. Highlight how your product or service plays a role in your customer’s feel-good rituals.
Examples:
A nail salon captioning: “Mental health walk = fresh mani”
A skincare brand showing: “Mental health walk to our best-selling facial”
A boutique featuring: “Mental health walk but make it retail therapy”
This trend works best with strong visual appeal, so highlight clean spaces, calming treatments, or fun products.
Pretty Little Baby
Audio: Connie Francis
Trend Format: Creators use the soft, melodic “Pretty Little Baby” audio while showcasing dreamy, slow-motion clips of products, moments, or processes. The content often has a romantic or aesthetic vibe, with visuals that feel thoughtful, delicate, or visually pleasing.
Why It Works: The audio sets a gentle, emotional tone that elevates even everyday moments. Whether it’s packaging orders, showing a workspace, or highlighting a product, this trend adds polish and sentimentality—making the viewer pause and appreciate the beauty in the details.
How Small Businesses Can Use It: This trend is versatile and works well across niches. Use it to spotlight products, your creative process, or brand story moments. It’s especially effective for brands that value presentation, emotion, or craftsmanship—like beauty, lifestyle, handmade, or gifting brands.
Examples:
A candle shop showing a hand-pouring process
A boutique sharing a neatly packed customer order
A jewelry brand highlighting a custom piece
A baker revealing a freshly frosted cake
Pair the audio with clean visuals, soft transitions, and a focus on detail. This trend works best when your content feels calming, heartfelt, or visually rich.
Instagram Reel Trends for May 2025
The Jaws Theme Walk-by Trend
Audio: Original audio - kjhoyt
Trend Format: A person walks back and forth repeatedly on screen, “circling” a topic they clearly have a reaction to.
Why It Works: This trend thrives on dramatic irony and humor. The caption usually contrasts someone’s statement with the creator’s visible (and exaggerated) response. It’s a format that feels both comedic and relatable.
How Small Businesses Can Use It
This trend is perfect for addressing common misconceptions or objections in your industry. Use it to subtly highlight the value of your work without directly selling.
Examples:
A social media manager reacting to: “I don’t have time for social media.”
A nutritionist pacing after hearing: “Carbs are bad for you.”
A marketing consultant reacting to: “I’ll just do it myself.”
The simplicity of the format makes it easy to execute, even without fancy equipment. All you need is a well-timed walk and a clever caption overlay.
Mystical Magical Moment
Trend Format: A peaceful or satisfying moment captured in the middle of a busy workday, often shown in slow motion or with soft transitions.
Why It Works: This trend creates an emotional pause in the feed. It’s ideal for showing the quiet, often overlooked moments that make running a business rewarding. Think ambiance, aesthetics, and peace.
How Small Businesses Can Use It
Great for lifestyle and service-based businesses, this trend lets you romanticize your day-to-day or spotlight beautiful behind-the-scenes glimpses.
Examples:
A candle maker pouring wax into molds in a quiet workshop.
A coffee shop before opening, with light streaming through the windows.
A yoga studio during a calm moment between sessions.
Even chaotic industries can participate by capturing those rare “breathe in, breathe out” intervals that feel especially satisfying when contrasted with a hectic work life.
Most Unhinged Experience
Trend Format: A story told through text overlay or narration describing an over-the-top customer experience.
Why It Works: This trend is a blend of storytelling and venting—and audiences love both. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at what small businesses deal with and invites viewers to react or share their own experiences.
How Small Businesses Can Use It
It’s ideal for service providers, retail staff, and online sellers who have collected bizarre stories over the years. The goal isn’t to shame anyone, but to create a connection through shared absurdity.
Examples:
A baker detailing how a customer requested a 3-tier cake with 1-hour’s notice.
A dog groomer recalling when a client tried to drop off a cat instead.
A shop owner describing a return request six months after purchase—with the tag still off.
The more specific and visual the story, the better. Simple shots with clear text overlays are often more than enough to deliver the punch.
4. WOW
Audio: Original audio - memfycases
Trend Format: A product is shown from multiple angles as a voice repeatedly says “Wow.”
Why It Works: This trend pairs simplicity with dramatic effect. The repetitive “wow” instantly communicates amazement, even before the product is fully revealed. It taps into visual ASMR and aesthetic satisfaction.
How Small Businesses Can Use It
Perfect for product-based businesses, especially when showcasing features, textures, or transformation. Think slow pans, macro shots, or simple before-and-after edits.
Examples:
A skincare brand showcasing the shimmer of a new serum or mask.
A handmade leather shop zooming in on stitching, embossing, and final polish.
A bakery rotating a freshly decorated cake in natural light.
Since the audio is already playful and expressive, your visuals do the talking. No need for captions or context—just show off the goods.
5. She Doesn’t Know It Yet
Audio: DIM - Yves
Trend Format: A clip or photo montage showing the early beginnings of a journey, with text explaining the path forward—even if the subject doesn’t know it yet.
Why It Works: This trend is sentimental, reflective, and incredibly versatile. It leverages the emotional weight of hindsight and transformation, which naturally resonates with audiences.
How Small Businesses Can Use It
It’s perfect for solopreneurs, creatives, or founders who want to share their “how it started vs. how it’s going” story without using that exact format.
Examples:
A crafter with a clip of their first handmade product followed by current-day shots of orders shipping out.
A small business owner showing an old apartment corner office that became the headquarters.
A digital artist or designer sharing clips of their first doodles before launching a freelance career.
You don’t need professional footage—old photos, phone clips, or screenshots work perfectly to tell the story. The magic is in the transformation, not the polish.
Instagram Reel Trends for April 2025
“Meet the Team” Trend
What’s trending: This trend is all about introducing your team with quick, lighthearted snippets that show the personalities behind your business. The format often includes each team member walking into frame, dancing, or performing a quirky move, with upbeat background music and name overlays. The reels tab helps users discover trending content and popular music tracks, making it easier to plan and manage creative posts that resonate with current trends.
Why it works :People buy from people. When your audience sees the real faces behind your brand, they feel more connected and invested. This trend humanizes your business, builds trust, and helps differentiate you in a crowded digital landscape.
How to use it:
Introduce your core team members or even freelancers you work with regularly.
Include job roles or fun facts as text overlays (e.g., “Jane – Our caffeine-fueled copywriter ☕️”).
Use it for onboarding series — new hires? Perfect way to welcome them.
Add personality: Let your team pick their entrances or add props that reflect their roles.
Pro tip: Don’t overthink production. Authentic, slightly goofy clips perform better than overly polished ones for this trend.
Hozier’s “Yell”
Audio: Original Audio - jakeguzman
What’s trending: Hozier’s “Yell” provides the perfect dramatic backdrop to highlight a moment of triumph. Businesses are using this audio to celebrate a long-awaited success — with slow-motion or cinematic flair — from opening a store to hitting a major sales milestone.
Why it works: The emotional intensity of the sound paired with a visual payoff creates a powerful impact. It taps into the viewer’s emotions and encourages them to cheer for you — and maybe even share your content. Leveraging trending audio can significantly boost engagement and visibility by connecting with specific communities and enhancing storytelling.
How to use it:
Highlight major wins: first big sale, viral post, sold-out launch, signing a dream client.
Use slow motion, zoom-ins, or dramatic lighting to play up the mood.
Add on-screen text to tell a quick story (“After 3 months of no sales… we SOLD OUT!”).
Perfect for product reveals or milestone moments.
Bonus idea: Create a before-and-after sequence — struggle followed by success — to make the emotional payoff even stronger.
“Somebody’s Watching Me… It’s My Anxiety”
What’s trending: This humorous audio sets the stage for showcasing those awkward or stress-filled business moments — but in a light, self-aware way. With the line “Somebody’s watching me… it’s my anxiety,” creators are poking fun at the pressures of entrepreneurship.
Why it works :Relatable, meme-style content consistently performs well. This trend gives your audience a laugh while making your brand more approachable and real.
How to use it:
Show the not-so-glamorous side of the business (e.g., stressing over a client email, triple-checking your invoice) with behind-the-scenes content.
Highlight awkward moments (e.g., when you hit “send” too fast or mess up a demo).
Use facial expressions, quick cuts, or exaggerated reactions to sell the punchline.
Combine with captions like: “When I launch a new offer and immediately think no one will buy 💀” “Me watching my Shopify dashboard after sending the email…”
Pro tip: Humor builds loyalty. Use this trend to show your human side while poking fun at the everyday chaos of running a business.
The Process
Audio: Lola Young - Messy (Sped Up)
What’s trending: This trend overlays a calming or ambient track (like the one in this example) over a series of clips that show your business process in motion — from packaging products to setting up a shoot.
Why it works :There’s something inherently satisfying about seeing a process come together. This trend thrives on aesthetic appeal, routine satisfaction, and curiosity — people love seeing how things are made. Additionally, creating reels to highlight major wins can create a powerful impact, showcasing your achievements in a visually engaging way.
How to use it:
Show a step-by-step of your product being made or packaged.
Document your content creation workflow.
Highlight a day in the life (filming, editing, emailing, planning).
Use time-lapses or quick transitions for a clean, fast-paced feel.
Extra tip: Add on-screen captions or text like “Here’s what goes into a single client launch” or “From sketch to shipped.”
“Warming Up”
What’s trending: This trend uses a high-energy audio with a fast-paced montage format — often showing how individuals or businesses are getting ready for a new season or busy period. Think athletes warming up before a big game, but in business form.
Why it works: It’s energetic, fun, and easily customizable to your industry. Plus, the theme of “prepping for something big” taps into excitement and anticipation — perfect for spring launches or upcoming events. This trend also resonates with the everyday challenges of a small business owner, highlighting the fun and hurdles of preparing for new opportunities.
How to use it:
Realtors: “Warming up for the spring market 🌸🏠”
Coaches or consultants: “Getting ready for Q2 like 💪”
E-commerce brands: “Prepping our new drop behind the scenes 👀”
Add quick shots: outfit checks, product mockups, content batching, team meetings.
Extra bonus: Use on-screen text with phrases like: “Here’s how we’re leveling up for April…” “Spring season is no joke in our world.”
How Alkai Can Help You Stay on Top of Instagram Reel Trends
Want to use Instagram Reel trends to boost engagement—but not sure where to start? That’s where Alkai comes in.
Alkai is your AI-powered social media assistant, built to help small businesses and creators turn trends into scroll-stopping content—fast.
With Alkai, you can:
✅ Get Reel ideas tailored to your brand, industry, and goals
✅ Generate on-brand captions, CTAs, and hashtags in seconds
✅ Design polished visuals using your brand kit
✅ Auto-schedule Reels across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more
Whether you want to hop on a trend early, remix it for your audience, or keep your content calendar full of timely posts—Alkai makes it effortless.
Stay relevant. Stay consistent. Let Alkai help you ride the trend wave every month.
Summary
Staying consistent with Instagram Reel trends isn’t just about chasing views or jumping on viral moments—it’s about showing up where your audience already is, with content that feels timely, relevant, and engaging. These trends are your monthly roadmap to what’s capturing attention across the platform, giving you endless opportunities to connect with your audience in creative and authentic ways.
Use this roundup as a starting point: remix sounds, adapt formats, or add your own spin to stand out while staying on trend. Whether you’re promoting a product, building your personal brand, or growing a small business, timely Reels can help boost visibility, engagement, and even sales.
Just remember—Instagram trends change fast. What’s hot this week might be old news the next. That’s why we keep this blog updated monthly, so you always have access to fresh, actionable ideas. Bookmark this page, revisit often, and stay ahead of the curve with Reels that work right now.
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