Instagram trends in January 2026 are less about flashy transitions and more about ideas that are instantly understood. The Reels that are performing best right now don’t require context, explanations, or sound-on viewing. You understand the joke or the emotion within the first second.
For consumer brands, this shift is important. Trends are no longer about copying dances or audios blindly. They’re about plugging into relatable situations, familiar emotions, and everyday moments people already recognize.
Below are the Instagram trends gaining traction in January 2026, along with how consumer brands are using them effectively.
1. “Try Not to Laaf (Gone Terribly Rong)” – Instagram Reels Audio Trend
We’re starting the year with an Instagram trend that thrives on temptation, self-control, and instant regret.
The “Try Not to Laaf (Gone Terribly Rong)” trend uses an audio by gugamiest and is usually performed by two people or two groups in the same frame. The format is simple and highly repeatable, which is why it’s spreading fast across brands, creators, kids, professionals basically everyone.
- Best suited for: Restaurants, cafes, gyms, salons, D2C brands
- How to use this trend:
- Set up two opposing thoughts your audience relates to responsibility vs temptation works best.
- Keep expressions exaggerated but minimal; let the POV text do the explaining.
- End with the synced hand-on-face movement to show instant defeat or chaos.
- This trend performs best when the situation feels obvious and doesn’t need context. The more familiar the conflict, the funnier the outcome.
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
2. “Me at My Big Boy Job…” POV
This trend plays on the contrast between looking professional and feeling unprepared. Creators pair clean work visuals with self-aware captions that poke fun at the realities of adult work life.
It resonates because it’s honest. Viewers see themselves in it ambitious, capable, but still figuring things out.
- Best suited for: Agencies, startups, coworking spaces, personal brands
- How to use this trend: Film simple workday visuals: desk setups, laptops, meetings, offices.
- Add text that highlights a humorous gap between responsibility and reality.
- Avoid overacting. The tone should feel casual and observant, not exaggerated. work visuals paired with self-aware text
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
3. The “Gozalo (Slowed)” Instagram audio trend
The “Gozalo (Slowed)” audio by ariismusic is trending for one simple reason: the beat grooves. Even in its slowed version, the track carries a funk-inspired rhythm that feels confident, cool, and effortless. Most Reels using this audio rely on minimal visuals often starting with a single photo or calm frame before transitioning into movement as the beat drops. The audio does the heavy lifting, not the storyline.
- Best suited for: Fashion and lifestyle brands, D2C products, salons, gyms, personal brands, real estate, cafes, and premium consumer brands
- How to use this trend: Start with a still or low-motion visual to set the mood.
- Add clean transitions or subtle movement when the beat kicks in.
- Let styling, product presence, or body language carry the Reel no text-heavy explanation needed.
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
4. Entering 2026 as a Business Owner with Peace” POV Reel Trend
Not every Reel needs hustle energy.
This trend leans into calm ambition: low movements, no face reveal, and a quiet sense of confidence that resonates strongly with founders right now.
- Best suited for: Founders, coaches, consultants, premium brands
- How to use this trend:
- Use slow-paced clips and steady camera movement.
- Avoid heavy captions or explanations.
- Let the visuals communicate calm rather than stating it directly.
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
5. The “POV vs Reality” meme-reaction audio trend
This trend plays on contrast and it lands because the payoff is instant. The Reel usually opens with a single POV text describing what people assumes about a person or brand. That setup is immediately followed by a meme-style reaction clip that flips the narrative completely. The humor comes from the mismatch between expectation and reality, using familiar reaction templates that viewers already recognize.
- Best suited for: Consumer brands, agencies, startups, service businesses, creators, restaurants, real estate, and D2C brands
- How to use this trend:
- Start with a clear, relatable POV about how people misunderstand your work, lifestyle, or product.
- Cut quickly to a meme reaction that shows the truth in an exaggerated or ironic way.
- Keep the contrast sharp: the clearer the difference, the funnier the Reel.
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
6. The viral POV Audio Trend
This audio has a sneaky, suspicious tone that instantly signals “I might be in trouble.” Creators are using it to capture those awkward, silent moments where someone is waiting for consequences after doing something slightly questionable. The humor comes from body language, nervous glances, frozen expressions, and the slow realization that they might get caught.
- Best suited for: Quick-commerce brands, food brands, grocery apps, restaurants, cafes, lifestyle brands, meme pages
- How to use this trend:
- Open with a clear POV that sets up a mildly “wrong” or ironic decision.
- Show a reaction shot focused on waiting, guilt, or fear, expressions matter more than action.
- Let the audio carry the suspense; keep visuals simple and relatable.
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
7.POV: Add Colours” Reel Trend
This trend revolves around rejecting suggestions with confidence. Someone proposes adding variety, and the creator visually refuses, signaling strong identity and taste.
Brands with a clear aesthetic benefit most from this format.
- Best suited for: Fashion brands, nail salons, tattoo studios
- How to use this trend:
- Visually reject the suggestion with confidence
- Lean into your brand’s identity instead of variety.
- Confidence is the core emotion driving this trend.
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
8. When Your Teacher Isn’t in Her Best Mood” Group POV Reel Trend
This group POV trend captures instant emotional shifts turning joy into silence in seconds. Exaggerated, but deeply relatable.
- Best suited for: Offices, agencies, teams, educational pages
- How to use this trend: Show instant mood shift using expressions
- Replace “teacher” with client, boss, or manager
- Keep the clip short so the reaction lands quickly
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
9. The Viral “Walking” Reel Trend
This trend uses a simple physical illusion. One person holds another person’s hoodie in a way that makes them appear unusually short while walking in place.
It works because the visual is unexpected and doesn’t require explanation.
- Best suited for: Dating apps, cafes, lifestyle and fashion brands
- How to use this trend:
- Film casually and avoid over-staging.
- Lean into visible height differences.
- Let the illusion do the work, and add text accordingly.
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
10. Ramalama (Bang Bang)” – Reel Audio Trend
This trend is driven by presence rather than narrative. The focus is on confidence, posture, and styling as the creator walks to the beat.
- Best suited for: Fashion, salons, gyms, real estate, luxury brands
- How to use this trend:
- Focus on styling, movement, and attitude.
- Avoid text-heavy overlays.
- Let confidence be the main hook.
- Here’s the trending audio for your reel
These trends favor clarity, relatability, and quick emotional hits ideal for brands that want views and shares without long production.