THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC IN SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEOS

Choosing the right music and syncing your edits to it is key to creating social media videos that perform. Music sets the tone. It controls the pacing and amplifies emotion. Think of a film composer selecting a score to match a scene—whether it's high-energy for an action sequence or soft and slow for a heartfelt moment. Similarly, a dance choreographer aligns every move to the rhythm, enhancing the emotional impact of the performance, like these videos by creators @itsslavik and @sammsalter.

In social media videos, music is the invisible thread that ties everything together. A well-chosen audio grabs attention and supports the visuals, making your content feel more polished and intentional. When your edits match the rhythm of the music, it creates a seamless, immersive experience that resonates with your audience and leads to increased views and engagement.

The Algorithmic Advantage of Trending Music

Trending audio plays a unique role on social media, as it comes with a built-in advantage for discoverability and engagement. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram prioritize content that uses popular or trending sounds, pushing the content to larger audiences. This is because trending audio often signals to the algorithm that users are actively engaging with the sound, increasing the chances of your content being seen by new viewers.

By incorporating trending audio or original sound bites into your videos, you’re tapping into what’s already resonating with audiences, making your content more relevant and shareable. These sounds give your video context within a broader trend, creating a sense of familiarity that encourages viewers to stop, watch, and engage.

How To Find Trending Music

To find trending audio, follow the steps to Find & Use Trending Audio on Instagram and discover Trending Sounds and the Commercial Music Library on TikTok. Look for tracks with a moderate number of uses that are gaining traction. These are often marked with an upward arrow on Instagram or highlighted in TikTok’s "Sounds" section. Using these tracks early, before they become oversaturated, helps your content stand out and stay ahead of the trend. Opting for rising sounds gives your videos a better chance of standing out while staying relevant to current trends. Keep in mind that the audio available for business accounts can differ from what’s accessible to personal or creator accounts.

The Impact of Editing to Music

Once you have your trending audio, edit your video to the rhythm of the music, creating quick, seamless transitions that keep content fun, upbeat, and engaging. When cuts, transitions, and key moments are timed with the beat, the video flows naturally and transitions smoothly. These videos from @arthurgarros and @stxph.h are great examples. Hitting a beat drop with a major visual change or matching fast-paced jump cuts to the rhythm enhances the energy, making the video more memorable, shareable, and enjoyable to watch.

Ultimately, choosing the right music and editing to its rhythm turns a simple video into an experience. It enhances storytelling, emotional impact, and viewer retention while helping you tap into current trends. This combination not only elevates your content but also increases its chances of being discovered, shared, and remembered. By thoughtfully pairing your visuals with the right sound and editing, you can create videos that stand out and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.