Where TikTok shows you what sounds are trending right now
TikTok surfaces trending sounds in three main places: the Discover page, the Sounds page within the app, and directly on videos themselves. The fastest route is the Discover tab (the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of your screen), which shows trending sounds mixed in with trending videos and creators. You can also go straight to the Sounds section by tapping the music note icon when you are making a video — this page lists sounds ranked by how many videos are using them right now.
When you watch a video that uses a trending sound, you will see the sound name and artist at the bottom of the screen. Tap that text and you land on the sound's dedicated page, which shows you how many videos use it, who created it, and a list of recent videos using that same sound. This is how most people discover trending sounds — by watching videos and following the sound backwards to see what else is popular with it.
The sounds that trend on TikTok change constantly. A sound might be everywhere for a few days, then fade as the next one takes over. The app does not tell you which sounds will trend tomorrow, but it does show you which ones are trending right now by counting how many creators are using them and how many views those videos are getting.
Key Takeaways
- The Discover tab and the Sounds page both show trending sounds ranked by how many videos are using them.
- Tapping the sound name on any video takes you to that sound's page, where you can see all recent videos using it and add it to your own drafts.
- Trending sounds change daily, so checking the Sounds page regularly is the only way to stay current with what is popular.
- When you use a trending sound in your own video, TikTok's algorithm is more likely to show your video to people who follow that sound or have watched videos using it.
- You can save sounds to a personal collection by bookmarking them, so you do not have to search for them again later.
Using the Sounds page to browse what is popular
Open TikTok and start recording a video (tap the plus sign at the bottom). At the top of the screen, you will see a row of options including "Sounds" — tap that. You are now on the Sounds page, which shows sounds ranked by how many videos are currently using them. The sounds at the top of this list are the ones trending hardest right now.
Scroll down to see more sounds. Each sound shows its name, the artist or creator who made it, and how many videos are using it. Tap any sound to hear a preview and see recent videos that use it. If you want to use that sound in your video, tap it again and it will be added to your recording. If you want to come back to it later without recording yet, tap the bookmark icon (it looks like a flag) to save it to your collection.
The Sounds page updates throughout the day as new videos are posted and sounds gain or lose momentum. There is no way to see which sounds will trend tomorrow — you can only see what is trending right now. If you want to use sounds before they peak, check this page daily or whenever you plan to record.
Finding trending sounds through the Discover tab
The Discover tab (magnifying glass icon) shows a mix of trending videos, creators, and sounds all in one place. Scroll through and you will see videos that are getting a lot of views right now. When you see a video using a sound you like, tap the sound name at the bottom of the screen. This takes you to that sound's page, where you can hear it in full, see how many videos use it, and add it to your own recording.
The Discover page is less direct than the Sounds page — you have to spot sounds within videos rather than seeing a ranked list. But it has an advantage: you see sounds in context, hearing how creators are actually using them and what kind of videos work with each sound. This can help you decide whether a trending sound fits the type of video you want to make.
Saving sounds you want to use later
When you find a sound you like but are not ready to record yet, bookmark it. On the Sounds page or on a sound's dedicated page, tap the bookmark icon (shaped like a flag). The sound moves to your Favorites collection, which you can access anytime by going to your profile, tapping the three lines menu, and selecting "Favorites." Your bookmarked sounds stay there until you remove them, so you can build a personal library of sounds you want to use.
Bookmarking is useful because trending sounds do not stay at the top of the list forever. If you see a sound you like but do not have time to record with it today, saving it means you can find it again without scrolling through hundreds of new sounds tomorrow. When you are ready to record, go to your Favorites, find the sound, and tap it to add it to your video.
Why using trending sounds matters for your videos
TikTok's algorithm treats videos that use trending sounds differently than videos that use old or obscure sounds. When you use a sound that many other creators are using right now, TikTok is more likely to show your video to people who have watched other videos with that sound, who follow that sound, or who have it bookmarked. This does not may provide your video will go viral, but it gives the algorithm more ways to find an audience for it.
The algorithm also looks at whether people who watch your video stick around to the end, whether they rewatch it, and whether they share it. A trending sound does not change any of that — your video still has to be interesting or entertaining. But a trending sound gives your video a better chance of being seen by people in the first place, which means more people get the chance to decide whether they like it.
Understanding sound trends versus viral trends
A trending sound is not the same as a viral trend or challenge. A viral trend is usually a specific dance, joke format, or video concept that many creators are doing with the same sound. A trending sound is just a piece of audio that many people are using, regardless of what they are doing with it. You can use a trending sound in any type of video — a lip-sync, a comedy sketch, a tutorial, a storytime — and it will still count as using that trending sound.
Some trending sounds become part of a larger trend (the same sound plus the same dance or concept), but many do not. A sound might be trending straightforward because it is catchy, or because a popular creator used it, or because it fits a lot of different video types. You do not have to participate in a specific trend to benefit from using a trending sound — you just have to use the sound itself.
What happens to sounds after they stop trending
When a sound stops appearing on the Sounds page, it does not disappear from TikTok. The sound stays in the app forever, and you can still use it in new videos. But TikTok will not push your video to as many people if you use an old sound, because the algorithm prioritizes sounds that are currently popular. Videos using old sounds still get views, but usually from people who search for that sound specifically or from your existing followers, not from the broader TikTok audience.
This is why creators often chase trending sounds — not because old sounds are bad, but because trending sounds give videos more visibility. If you want your video to reach people outside your follower base, using a sound that is trending right now gives you the best chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a sound is actually trending or just popular?
On the Sounds page, sounds are ranked by how many videos are using them right now. The sounds at the top are the ones trending hardest. You can also see the number of videos using each sound listed on that sound's dedicated page. If thousands of videos are using a sound and that number is growing, it is trending.
Can I use a trending sound if I do not have a lot of followers?
Yes. Using a trending sound does not require followers. The algorithm shows videos using trending sounds to people who follow that sound or have watched videos with it, regardless of how many followers the creator has. This is actually one of the main ways new creators get their videos seen.
What if I use a trending sound but my video does not get views?
A trending sound improves your chances of being seen, but it does not may provide views. Your video still has to be interesting enough that people watch it all the way through and do not when ready scroll past. A trending sound opens the door — what you do with it is up to you.
Do I have to use the exact same sound, or can I use a cover version?
TikTok counts the original sound, not cover versions. If you want to benefit from a trending sound, use the original version from the Sounds page. Cover versions are separate sounds and will not connect your video to the trend.
How often should I check for new trending sounds?
Trending sounds change daily, sometimes multiple times a day. If you want to use sounds while they are at peak popularity, check the Sounds page whenever you plan to record — usually daily if you post regularly. If you post less often, checking a few times a week is enough to find sounds that are still trending.