Every week, we'll update this resource with the top Instagram Reels trends heating up on the feed, what they are, and how you can incorporate them into your content.

NOTE: Although some trending audios (labeled "original audio") are business account friendly, they are not technically royalty-free. So, for sponsored content or paid ads, you may prefer to use Meta's royalty-free sounds library.
What are the Trending Reels on Instagram? — April 2025 Roundup
Discover the hottest trends on Instagram Reels this month.

Trend: That Friday Feeling — April 18, 2025
Trend Recap: Spring is here, and this audio is all about new beginnings. Use it to show before and afters, your latest glow up, or a project that you're proud of.

Audio: That Friday Feeling - Louise Heaney
Trend: Wow — April 18, 2025
Trend Recap: Prepare to be...well, wowed. It's your brand's time to shine, and this audio is perfect for showing your strengths.

Audio: Original audio - memfycases

Current # of Posts: 3.7K

Trend: Tell Me — April 18, 2025
Trend Recap: Call it crowdsourcing, research, or just plain nosiness—this trend is great for sparking conversations (and generating some good ol' fashioned engagement). See you in the comments!

Audio: Original audio - metteblackburnphoto

Current # of Posts: 4.4K

Whether you’re a budding brand or an established enterprise, tapping into TikTok influencer marketing is a no-brainer.

Case in point: TikTok is on track to become the largest social platform in total daily minutes by 2025 — making it the perfect space to create targeted campaigns that generate leads.

So, we’re sharing what TikTok influencer marketing is, how to make it a part of your strategy, and all the inspiration you need to get started.

Gen Z marketing requires more than simply selling a product.

Born between 1996 and 2010, this generation is value-conscious and drawn to brands that are authentic.

They’re creative, bold, and the creators of many trends on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and other platforms.

And they require a slightly different approach than their millennial counterparts.

So how do you reach and connect with the Gen Z market in 2024? We're covering it all, below.

Who is Gen Z?
Young, tech savvy, and socially-minded, Gen Z is the most racially and ethnically diverse generation with a projected spending power of over $360B.

Having grown up with smartphones, the internet, and social media, these digital natives are more likely to buy from brands that have established clear values, are inclusive, and have a strong online community.

The world of influencer marketing is a thrilling & fast-paced industry.

Social media creators on TikTok hold more power over purchasing decisions than ever before.

Brands are tapping into creator partnerships to reach their target audiences — but how can you guarantee and measure success across the funnel?

That’s where events like the Influencer Marketing Show come in.

Lyle Stevens, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Later, and Adrienne Lahens, Global Head of Content Strategy & Operations at TikTok, co-hosted a panel at the event in June to teach marketers about collaborating with creators and driving results from TikTok.

Didn’t get to attend this year? No worries! We're dishing out the hottest highlights — including all the juicy details from Later & TikTok’s panel session below:

The Later and TikTok Partnership
Influencer marketing has come a long way since its inception. We've seen the industry grow, with higher expectations to scale effectively and maximize performance outcomes. Brands want full-funnel impact, not just top-of-funnel awareness. Enter: Later and TikTok.

Since 2021, Later has been a proud TikTok Marketing Partner, integrating directly with the TikTok Creator Marketplace to streamline processes, provide first-party data and analytics, and partner with certified creators. See some of our successful campaigns here.

Ok, that’s enough about Later + TikTok — here’s what we covered during our session at the Influencer Marketing Show.
The Evolution of Influencer Marketing
Did you know that the influencer marketing industry is forecasted to reach $121 billion by 2030?

While the creator economy is still evolving, influencer marketing is maturing and becoming much more performance-oriented.

Here’s Lyle’s take on the current state of influencer marketing:

“We’ve gone through this evolution of — what’s this shiny object called influencer marketing? Does it actually work? And now marketers are starting to ask: we know influencer marketing works, so how can I scale it? How can I drive better ROI and performance for my business?”

With more and more people looking to social media to decide what to buy, it’s no surprise that 56% of consumers make purchases from creator content.

We know that creators on TikTok drive discovery and that Gen Z and Millennials — who use TikTok the most — are even more likely to buy products based on creator recommendations.

Why are people coming to TikTok? Adrienne shared her insider perspective:

“People are coming to TikTok to learn, to be entertained, and then they’re leaving with more than what they came for. 93% of users take action on the content they see on their For You Page. And shoppers are 2x more likely to buy directly from TikTok because it’s entertaining.”

In contrast, we've also seen the rise of "de-influencing," where creators share alternative products or negative opinions about brands. With 36% deterred from making a purchase after listening to a creator, this serves as a reminder that influence can swing both ways.

Despite the industry's growth, other challenges remain. Proving ROI, measuring performance, and finding the right influencers are top concerns for marketers. Let’s review how Later and TikTok can help guide your influencer marketing strategy.

If you’re looking to grow on TikTok, getting a grasp on your TikTok analytics is a great place to start.

It’s a no-brainer to improve your content, reach your target audience, and achieve your goals.

From key metrics to our favorite TikTok analytics tool, we’re sharing how to level-up your strategy by digging into the numbers.

What Are TikTok Analytics (& Why Do They Matter)?
Simply put, TikTok analytics are your inside scoop to who your audience is, when they’re most active, and what type of content they engage with.

This is important for creating a content strategy that drives results for your brand or business — without it, you’re essentially working in the dark.

How To Use TikTok Analytics
Growth on TikTok isn’t an overnight thing.

To drive lasting results on the platform, you’ll need the best TikTok analytics tools in your back pocket.

Here are two to get you started:

Analytics Tool #1: Later’s TikTok Analytics
Later’s TikTok Analytics feature lets you view up to 12 months worth of data (dependent on your plan), all in an easy-to-use dashboard.

That way, you can see exactly what's performed best, filter by key metrics, and refine your strategy again (and again).

https://www.tiktok.com/@cherylporterdiva?_t=ZM-8vm0GtSNV5i&_r=1
Cherylpoterdiva

Reesa Teesa went viral in 2024 for a 55-part series “Who TF did I marry?” People on the app loved her engaging storytelling style which made her longer-form story a hit, without doing any TikTok dance or trend.

TikTok is the place to be on social media.

With a global active user base of 1.5 billion people in 2024, the platform continues to grow both its user base and engagement.

Did you know that users are spending an average of 58 minutes and 24 seconds on TikTok each day? This is 3 minutes and 36 seconds more than last year.

But how do you grow your own, or your brand’s, following on TikTok when there’s so much competition out there?

Some of the biggest influencers have over 150 million followers (hey @charlidamelio!), but even if you aren’t aiming for a follower record, there are some strategies you can follow that work best for this dynamic platform.

Here’s how you can make it happen.

Create High-Quality, Engaging Content
On TikTok, content quality matters. Here’s how you can make yours stand out:

Hook viewers early: TikTok users decide in the first few seconds whether they want to keep watching. Try starting with a captivating visual or question.

Be authentic: Authenticity resonates on TikTok. Share your genuine self and unique perspective so you don’t get lost in a sea of sameness.

Try TikTok’s editing tools: TikTok’s in-app editing tools, effects, and filters will enhance your videos and keep them fresh and engaging.

Use music and sounds: You’re going to need to know about popular sounds and music. Using them makes your videos more entertaining and also increases the likelihood of them being discovered. We have a whole post about how to find, use & make TikTok Sounds in 2024.

Quality isn't just about the visual and audio appeal; it's also about storytelling. Tell a compelling story, even in short videos. Whether it’s a funny anecdote, a behind-the-scenes look, or a step-by-step tutorial, good stories keep viewers hooked and encourage them to follow for more.

Reesa Teesa went viral in 2024 for a 55-part series “Who TF did I marry?” People on the app loved her engaging storytelling style which made her longer-form story a hit, without doing any TikTok dance or trend.

Creating memes and aesthetic content has become simpler with CapCut templates, a TikTok and Instagram Reels staple.

To get you up to speed: CapCut is a simple-to-use, free platform where you can update video templates with your own clips, text, and branding. (Read our post here for a step-by-step guide to how it works.)

One of the best things about CapCut? How it makes it easy for brands to add fun and flavor to their social profiles.

If you’re a social media manager who needs to hop on the latest trend now or want to experiment with something new for your brand, CapCut is your friend.

Here are 8 trending CapCut templates to add something extra to your social feed, fast.

The immense growth of TikTok means huge opportunities for TikTok influencer marketing.

Before you dive into a new campaign, it’s crucial to know what makes TikTok influencers unique and to understand the basics of great TikTok campaigns.

Who Are TikTok Influencers?
TikTok influencers are a diverse group of people with one thing in common: making videos on the platform.

These videos range from advice to comedy to unique takes on TikTok trends, to dance choreography and lip-synching.

How Are TikTok Influencers Different From Creators On Other Platforms?
TikTok influencers may cross-post to other social media platforms like YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels. However, Tiktokers are a unique type of creator who function differently than those on other social platforms.

Here’s what sets them apart.

They Are Video-Centric
TikTokers are masters at storytelling and expressing themselves through video. They have inspired other social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to be more video-forward. Talk about influential!

They Are Trend-Forward
TikTok uses trending sounds to share content, similarly to how Instagram uses hashtags.

To stand out from the crowd, TikTok influencers need to do something different than everyone else with trends. Better yet — they set the trends themselves.

The lyrics and the beaux❤️👌💉🔐🥳

Why don’t the U.S. and China play Monopoly together anymore?
Because every time China buys up the board, the U.S. slaps a tariff on the dice and calls it “economic strategy.”

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com
You visit often
Pas de toi Sans Moi - song and lyrics by Sandrine Nnanga, Locko

La fidélité,
c’est l’art de rester quand il serait plus simple de partir,
c’est un regard qui ne cherche pas ailleurs parce qu’il a déjà trouvé l’essentiel.
C’est un cœur qui choisit, chaque jour, la même âme,
non par devoir, mais par amour.

Ce n’est pas l’absence de tentation,
mais la force de dire non, par respect pour ce lien sacré.
C’est être présent(e) même dans le silence,
fidèle même dans l’absence,
loyal même quand les promesses sont mises à l’épreuve.

Être fidèle,
c’est comprendre que l’amour ne se prouve pas seulement par les mots,
mais par les choix que l’on fait quand personne ne regarde.

---

If you’ve noticed a lack of engagement on TikTok recently, you could be experiencing the infamous TikTok shadow ban.

But what actually causes it? How do you know if it’s affected your account? How can you avoid one? And what can you do to get unbanned?

What Is Shadow Banning on TikTok?
A shadow ban on TikTok is when your account has unknowingly become blocked or partially blocked on the app.

As a result, your content won’t show up on the For You Page and you’ll likely experience a significant drop in likes, views, and comments.

Shadow banning is an automatic process done by TikTok’s algorithm to protect users from copyright issues, spam, threats, and inappropriate content.

Essentially, it’s TikTok’s way of putting your account on a timeout — which can negatively impact your reach, discoverability, and stunt your growth on the platform.

TikTok’s Community Guidelines in 2025
Community guidelines are the rules of the road for how to behave on a given social media platform — and TikTok’s are no different.

TikTok’s Community Guidelines highlight how the app aims to create a "welcoming, safe, and entertaining experience."

From dangerous acts to hateful behavior, there are a number of reasons your videos can be made ineligible — and your account shadow banned.

According to TikTok, guidelines are updated on an ongoing basis to uphold a safe community for its users.

P.S. Later's social media management tools let you plan, schedule, and analyze your TikTok content. Start your free trial today.

Plan, manage & analyze TikTok videos all in one spot with Later!

Start free trial
How to Get Shadow Banned on TikTok
While TikTok has yet to issue an official statement using the term “shadow ban”, violating the app's guidelines could still land you in hot water.

According to the platform, "We remove content — whether posted publicly or privately — when we find that it violates our rules."

Here are some reasons you could be shadow banned on TikTok:

Posting Restricted Content

Bullying or Harassment

Copyright Infringement

By Accident

Reason #1: Posting Restricted Content
Posting content that TikTok deems ineligible for the For You Page, could get you shadow banned or completely removed from the platform.

This includes hate speech, disordered eating, dangerous activities, nudity, shocking or graphic content, misinformation, fake engagement, unoriginal content, gambling, drugs, and more.

It’s simple: keep it PG and TikTok will keep you on the FYP.

Reason #2: Bullying or Harassment
TikTok is big on inclusivity and “individual expression without fear of abuse,” so hateful behavior is not taken lightly.

If you post, comment, or share anything that TikTok deems as hate, you risk having your content missed by others.

The takeaway? Keep the hate offline and stick to creating great content.

Reason #3: Copyright Infringement
Posting content that isn’t your own is a big no-no.

And TikTok has a zero tolerance policy for publishing others’ copyrighted content.

Bottom line: stick to being original — you’re far more interesting that way.

Reason #4: By Accident
TikTok relies on automated moderation to check if videos violate Community Guidelines.

But TikTok doesn't always get it right.

In a Reuters article following the brief U.S. TikTok ban in January 2025, users expressed that they were seeing "fewer livestreams, and some activity is being removed or flagged at higher rates for violating community guidelines, including for behavior that was previously permitted."

This is often a challenge when it comes to mass, automated moderation.

Using technology to protect a community from hate speech can easily turn into censorship — minimizing voices of communities rather than amplifying them.

How Do I Know If I’ve Been Shadow Banned on TikTok?
The tricky part of a shadow ban is that TikTok won’t actually inform you that you’ve been banned.

This means that oftentimes, a restriction on your account will go unnoticed.

However, there are some key indicators that’ll determine if you’ve received a shadow ban:

Content is not visible on the For You Page or search

Videos won’t upload (they will say “under review” or “processing” instead)

A drastic drop in likes, views, or shares

If all three apply, chances are you’ve got a shadow ban on your hands.

FYI: Later’s trusted by over 7M marketers, creators, and brands to manage all their social posts. Start a free 14-day trial today.

Plan, manage, & analyze posts for every social channel in one spot with Later.

Start free trial
How Long Does a Shadow Ban Last?
According to creators who've been shadow banned, a TikTok shadow ban typically lasts around two weeks.

Content Creation Tools for Editing Videos
​​With video content becoming more popular than ever, it’s important to have a few go-to video editing apps for content creation.

#1: LumaFusion
LumaFusion makes editing videos right on your phone easier than ever, with drag-and-drop clips, text overlays, and audio features.

#2: MoJo
Bring your brand to life with MoJo, with animated templates that add that little something extra to your Instagram Stories and other social content.

#3: CapCut
Jumping on TikTok and Reels trends is simpler than ever with CapCut. This popular app features templates that make editing aesthetic compilations and creating trending content a breeze.

Check out an example of how we use CapCut to make memes for our TikTok account.

TIP: For CapCut tips and tricks, bookmark this post: How to Find & Use CapCut Templates for TikTok

Photography Apps & Tools for Social Media
Content creation often involves honing your photography skills and in turn, developing an editing process too.

The best part is that you don’t have to spend hours fussing over individual edits with these tools.

#1: Lightroom Presets
Lightroom Presets allow you to edit multiple photos at once, streamlining your content publishing and scheduling.

Plus, you can create custom presets to keep your feed and brand aesthetic consistent.

#2: Tezza
Tezza is a photo editing app made by creators—Tezza Barton and Scott Herrmann—for creators. “We wanted the app itself to feel as fun and as branded and as impactful as the art of creating itself,” said Scott on their episode of Later's Beyond Influence podcast.

Don’t miss the new TezzaCam, which lets you take filtered photos directly in the app.

#3: VSCO
Part social network, part editing app, VSCO allows you to experiment with presets, try new filters, and get inspiration from fellow creators and photography buffs.

Graphic Design Apps for Content Creators
Whether graphic design is your passion, or you’re brand new to design, this app makes it easy to develop visuals aligned with your brand and style.

Canva
Known for its easy drag-and-drop design style, Canva is a popular choice for all types of creatives.

You can use their pre-made templates for Instagram, or to jazz up your social media proposals.

Plus, if you’re using Later, you can use our Canva Integration to transfer your designs to your media library in seconds.

Export your Canva designs into Later’s Media Library – no downloads needed!

Start free trial
Idea Generation Tools for New Content
Consistent posting is essential… but what happens when you run out of ideas?

*Finding Influencers and Creators for Your Next Social Media Campaign: The Ultimate Guide*

The creator economy is estimated to be worth $250 billion, and it's changing how brands launch campaigns or promote their products.

But a successful campaign takes more than signing someone with a large following.

The best partnerships will help you reach engaged (and relevant) audiences and build brand awareness.

So, how do you find the right influencers and creators for your next launch?

We’re sharing our top 11 tips to help you find your perfect match.

Tip #1: Define your goals
The ultimate goal for brands using influencers and creators is to reach new audiences.

Marketing specialist Adrienne Sharpe says setting expectations is key in achieving your desired outcome.

“You're essentially paying the influencer for access to their audience,” explains Adrienne.

"So, you have to be clear about your campaign's goals — and what you hope to achieve. This will help them create content that will serve both of your interests."

Are you looking to build brand awareness? Drive sales? Generate more leads? Think about how your collaboration will fit into your broader social media marketing strategy, and then set SMART goals.

NOTE: Influencer marketing partnerships can cost anywhere from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. Defining your budget at the beginning stages is important too.

Tip #2: Establish your influencer and creator personas
Finding the right influencers and creators for your brand is a bit like using a matchmaker or a dating app. Having an "ideal creator" in your mind will help you define the qualities you're looking for and narrow your scope.

These are a few questions you can begin to ask yourself and your team:

What is your ideal creator’s niche?

Who is their audience?

What’s their personality type and how does it align with your brand voice?

What are their values and do they align with your brand?

Use as much detail as possible — keeping your target audience in mind.

And remember to be realistic about who they’ll connect with — for example, if you’re an eco-conscious brand, steer clear of influencers and creators who promote fast fashion.

Let us help with the heavy lifting. Book a demo today to see how Later's influencer search tool can help you meet your creator match.

Search & find fully contactable influencers in one spot with Later's Influencer Network.

Book a demo
Tip #3: Use an influencer marketing platform
If you’re looking to set up your influencer marketing campaigns for success, using a platform like Later is the way to go.

With it, you can:

Search our influencer index (with over 10M contactable influencers and counting!)

Access discovery tools that filter by industry, primary platform, and more

Manage outreach and communications — all in one place

Streamline payments, budgets, and reporting

And if you want to take it a step further, you can let our marketing services team manage your influencer marketing campaigns for you.

This means we’ll handle everything from strategy, to sourcing influencers, to execution and tracking results.

Partner with the right influencers, manage campaigns, and streamline reporting.

Schedule a call
Tip #4: Monitor influencers and creators talking about your brand
Collaborating with the right people can be as easy as looking in your own backyard.

"When you find influencers who are already talking about your brand, it makes it easier to reach out for a potential collaboration," says senior marketer Kurtis Smeaton.

Screenshot x2 of UGC for Our Place.
"Of course, you'll need to vet them first. And if they're a brand fit, it'll make their endorsement more genuine," explains Kurtis.

"Their paid content is more likely to have an impact on their audience, as there's already a level of trust established."

TIP: Set time aside to frequently monitor your tagged posts, comments, DMs, and branded hashtag to find influencers and creators who are already engaging with your brand.

Tip #5: Look at Who Your Target Audience Engages With
Finding influencers that resonate with your target audience is an important step in the search process.

To do this, look at your existing community. Select anywhere from 10 to 15 followers who represent your target audience, and check out their following lists.

What type of creators are they already following? What’s their niche? Are you seeing any common trends in their content? How in line are they with your brand?

Having a thorough understanding of your audience’s interests is an important step in your persona building (see tip #2).