How to Find Trending TikTok Sounds: Expert Guide

Why should you use trending TikTok sounds? Well, because they are trending, TikTok actually considers them to be popular sounds, and therefore they boost them up in the algorithm. 

But, how do you find trending TikTok sounds? We’ve got you covered! Let’s dive in!

Spotting Trends in Viral Videos on the TikTok App

Perhaps the best way to find trending TikTok sounds is to keep an eye on what's popping off on your For You page. Pay attention to videos that are getting tons of likes, comments, and shares. Is there a particular sound that keeps coming up? That might be the sound you should use. 

Look for patterns in how the audio is being used. Is it tied to a specific dance routine, challenge, or meme format? Understanding the context can help you brainstorm ideas for how to incorporate the sound into your own content.

Another easy way to discover trending TikTok sounds is right in the TikTok app's upload screen. When you go to create a new TikTok video, tap the "Add sound" button at the top of the screen. Then scroll down to the "Playlists" section.

Here you'll find curated lists like "TikTok Viral", "Featured", and "Recommended" that showcase the hottest tracks of the moment. Spend some time browsing through these playlists to hear what's currently popping off and get inspiration for your own content. The key is to look for sounds that aren't overly saturated yet but are starting to gain traction.

Timing is everything when it comes to jumping on trends. You want to hop on the bandwagon early enough to ride the wave of popularity, but not so late that the trend is already overplayed. I recommend using the sound while it's still in the early growth stage, before it hits peak saturation. 

Here’s how to optimize your “For You Page” to find trending songs:

1. Follow 10-15 creators in your niche
2. Go to your Following page
3. Engage with their content (like, comment, watch) for 5-10 minutes each day
4. Return to For You page to see more niche-specific content
5. Look for videos with high performance (30,000-50,000+ views)
6. Check if these are "outlier" videos for that creator (performing significantly better than their usual content)
7. Review their content to learn how they use the trending sounds, and tweak it to create your own video using that trending sound

Pro Tip: Create multiple accounts across different niches to spot trends early.

Keep track of creators who consistently go viral, and look for trends in related niches that could be adapted to your content.

Also see: How TikTok Marketing Can Revolutionize Your Business 

Using Trend Discovery Tools

While scrolling through TikTok is a great way to organically discover trends, sometimes you need a more systematic approach. That's where third-party trend discovery tools come in handy.  

Some popular options include TrendTok, Tokboard, and Pentos. These platforms aggregate data from TikTok to identify rising songs and sounds before they fully blow up. You can browse leaderboards, search by keyword or creator, and analyze detailed metrics.

Best Practices for Trending Sounds

Now that you know how to find trending TikTok sounds, let's talk about how to use them effectively in your content strategy. 

First, it’s critical that you be selective about which sounds you hop on. Not every viral track will be a fit for your niche or target audience. Pick sounds that align with your brand identity and create content that adds a unique twist.  

Secondly, put your own spin on the trend. Don't just copy what everyone else is doing - find a way to make it your own. Whether that means showcasing your personality, highlighting a specific product, or merging the sound with another trend, aim to stand out from the crowd. 

Finally, make sure you're following TikTok's music guidelines and crediting artists appropriately. The last thing you want is to run into copyright issues or upset the original creator. When in doubt, stick to royalty-free tracks or seek explicit permission.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Despite your best efforts, you may run into some roadblocks when using trending sounds. Here are a few common problems and how to solve them:

The TikTok sounds you want are not available in your region: Unfortunately, some songs are restricted due to licensing agreements. Try finding a similar track or using a royalty-free alternative.

The original creator deleted the TikTok sound: If a user deletes their account or the original video, the associated sound may disappear. For example, many singers have been removing their songs from the sound library. You might want to act fast and save the audio locally if you plan to use it.  

You're not getting enough views: Using trending TikTok sounds is not a magic bullet. Make sure your content is genuinely entertaining and shareable. Engage with other users, use relevant hashtags, and post consistently to increase your reach.

Your video gets flagged for copyright: If you use a sound without permission, TikTok may mute or remove your video. Always double check the usage rights before posting. Not all TikTok songs were added to the sound library with the consent of the original artists. So, if in doubt, reach out to the original artist for clarification.

Remember, experimentation is key. Not every video will go viral, and that's okay. Keep trying new sounds and formats until you find what resonates with your audience.

Related: Learn about using hashtags to get TikTok famous.

Leveling Up Your Sound Strategy

Finding trending sounds is just the beginning. To really crush it on TikTok, you need a comprehensive strategy for sound selection, content creation, and cross-promotion.

You could try creating a sound mood board that captures the overall aesthetic and energy you want to convey. This will act as a guidepost whenever you're considering a new track. You can also build out a content calendar that mixes trending sounds with evergreen audio that has a longer lifespan.

Repurposing your TikTok videos is another key for success

Castmagic has a feature that turns your TikTok videos into automatically generated transcripts you could use for new pieces of content. 

Each file you upload gets its own GPT instance, so you could use our Magic Chat feature to come up with ideas. For example, take the transcript and turn your TikTok video into captioned videos for Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and more. Or, use the transcript to generate blog posts that you can embed your TikTok video into on your website.

In fact, you can use your long form video and audio files to come up with TikTok video ideas too. Our AI backed tools can transcribe YouTube videos and podcast episodes, and then you can use those to generate TikTok scripts, and a full editorial calendar filled to the brim with TikTok video ideas! Or, even better? Make short audiograms complete with captions with a click with the Castmagic Studio feature!

Repurposing with Castmagic is a practically effortless way to get more mileage out of your best performing content.

Create your own sounds

For the overachievers out there, you can even go the extra mile by creating your own original sounds. Think catchy voiceovers, memorable quotes, or even a full song if you're musically gifted! Branded sounds can help you establish a strong presence on TikTok and get others to use your audio in their videos. And, if you're lucky, your original sounds could end up in the trending songs playlist. 

Staying Ahead of the Curve

TikTok trends move fast, but with the right approach you can stay ahead of the game. Here are my top tips for being a trendsetter:

1. Follow a diverse range of creators and consume content outside your niche. You never know where the next big sound will come from!

2. Keep an eye on the music charts and anticipate which songs will blow up. Getting in early can give you a huge advantage.

3. Use data to inform your strategy. Track your own metrics and use tools like Castmagic to spot emerging trends before your competitors.

4. Don't be afraid to take risks and try something new. Some of the biggest TikTok hits came out of left field. Embrace your creativity!

5. Collaborate with other creators to expand your reach. Duet, stitch, or use sounds from accounts with a complementary audience to cross-pollinate your followers.

Ultimately, the key to TikTok success is authenticity, consistency, and a willingness to adapt. Stay true to your brand voice, post regularly, and keep your finger on the pulse of the latest trends. You got this!

Here’s to the Sound of TikTok Success

To close things out, here’s your TikTok sound strategy cheat sheet:

• Use TikTok's built-in features like the sound library, bookmark function, and categories to discover trending tracks.
• Keep a close eye on your For You page to identify viral videos and patterns in sound usage.  
• Use trend discovery tools like Tokboard and Pentos to stay ahead of the curve and get data-driven insights.
• Be selective and creative when hopping on trends - always add your unique twist!
• Develop a holistic strategy that covers sound selection, content creation, and cross-promotion.
• Troubleshoot common issues like regional restrictions, deleted sounds, low views, and copyright claims.
• Level up by creating a sound mood board, content calendar, and even your own original audio.
• Stay ahead of the game by following diverse creators, anticipating chart-toppers, using data, taking risks, and collaborating.

Finding trending songs and sounds takes some legwork, but trust us - the payoff is worth it! When you start seeing those likes, comments, and followers roll in, you'll know your hard work paid off.

You've got the knowledge. You've got the tools. Now it's time to put it all into action and start creating the kind of TikTok content that stops scrollers in their tracks. 

Experiment with different sounds, get creative with your visuals, and most importantly - have fun with it! TikTok is all about authenticity and entertainment, so let your personality shine through.

And while you’re experimenting with TikTok, don’t forget to try out Castmagic for all your content repurposing needs. Not only could your TikTok videos hold the key to amazing blog posts, but your long form content can be transformed into new TikTok video ideas too! Click here to learn more about what Castmagic can do! And, when you’re ready, you can head here and snag a free trial!