Editing Trending Instagram Reels - Master the Art of Viral Videos

Mastering the art of editing trending Instagram Reels can turn your content into viral sensations. Explore how to use different features of Instagram to edit Reels, like filters, effects, and adding music. We will also discuss the top 8 tips for making engaging Instagram Reels. CapCut is the best software for editing Instagram Reels due to its variety of visual effects and extensive music library. Now, go through the blog to get more details for your perfect Reels!

What are Reels

Instagram Reels are short, engaging videos that enable users to create and share their content. It provides a variety of editing tools, such as music, special effects, text, speed adjustment, etc. Users can use these tools to create creative content. They last around 90 seconds and are designed to inspire and entertain viewers. Reels often appear on the Explore page to reach a wider audience. They are ideal for showing trends, creativity, or brand promotion.



Why Instagram Reels are so popular

• Highly engaging and short-form content: Instagram Reels deliver bite-sized videos that are quick to watch and keep viewers engaged. Their short duration format makes them perfect for capturing the viewer's attention in this fast-paced world.
• Creative editing features: Reels offer a variety of editing features, such as filters, effects, music, and text overlays, which allow you to create professional-quality content easily. These tools enhance creativity and increase the video's aesthetic appeal.
• Viral nature: Reels that appear on the Explore page have the potential to go viral. An engaging Reel can gain traction, leading to a broader audience.
• Increased brand visibility: Businesses use Reels to showcase their services and products, enhancing engagement creatively. Their shareable nature improves brand visibility and helps get more loyal customers.

How to edit Reels on Instagram

Step
1. Import media
2. To start, open the Instagram app and tap the "+" icon at the bottom center of the screen. Next, choose "REEL" from the options. After that, tap the "Recents" option and select "Videos" from the drop-down menu. Select your desired clips.
3. 

   

Step
4. Edit and enhance the Reel
5. To edit the trending Instagram Reels, trim or rearrange the clips for a smooth flow. Use the scissors tool to cut the unnecessary parts. Tap the music icon to add a trending song or original audio to make the Reels more engaging. You can also enhance the appeal of the Reel by adding text, applying filters, or effects. Use transitions for smooth scene changes.
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Step
7. Export and share
8. Once satisfied with the edits, click the arrow symbol on the top-right corner and review your video. Choose the location and add the appropriate captions and hashtags for maximum reach. You can also add a thumbnail to the Reel. Finally, tap the "Share" option to publish the Reel.
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Although Instagram is quite effective for editing Reels quickly, it offers limited editing features. So, for more editing features, you need good editing software, like CapCut, which offers advanced editing tools to make your Instagram Reels shine.

Use CapCut: Your go-to editor for editing Instagram Reels

CapCut is powerful video editing software that offers a wide range of tools to create unique content easily. Its top editing features, like transitions, filters, effects, and animations, make it ideal for editing Instagram Reels. Additionally, you can access its AI-powered features, like background removal and auto-captions, for advanced edits. Whether you are enhancing video with music or professional filters, CapCut gives you the freedom you need to make engaging Reels.

Get CapCut today and use its editing features to make attractive Instagram Reels:

Key features

• Wide range of visual elements: CapCut offers a wide range of visual effects, such as filters, transitions, and effects that allow you to enhance Reels.
• Extensive music library: CapCut has a large collection of tracks, allowing you to add different music and sound effects to your Reels.
• AI-powered features for trendy edits: CapCut offers various AI-powered effects, such as background removal, background noise removal, and auto-captions.

Steps to edit Instagram Reels easily

Step
1. Import the video
2. First, open CapCut and start a new project. Next, click "Import" and select a video you want to edit from your PC. If the video is already present in CapCut, go to "My spaces" to access it.
3. 

   

Step
4. Edit the Instagram Reel
5. To edit the trending Instagram Reel, trim your video by removing the unwanted parts and adjusting the length. Next, add transitions for smooth scene changes by selecting them from the top-left toolbar. Apply filters, effects, and animation to increase the video's aesthetic appeal. You can add music to the Reel by selecting the "Audio" option from the top-left toolbar.
6. 

   

Step
7. Export and share
8. Once satisfied, click the "Export" option at the top-right corner, select your format and desired resolution, and then click "Export" to save the video to your PC.
9. 

   

Knowing how to edit Reels on Instagram won't make your Reels viral. To increase the chances of your videos getting viral, follow the 8 strategies mentioned in the next section to enhance Instagram Reels.

8 tips for making engaging Instagram Reels

• Be creative
• To create viral Reels, experiment with new concepts, filters, and effects to make them visually interesting. Creativity is the key to capturing attention and making your content stand out. For example, if you are a fitness influencer, use the time-lapse effect to show the transformation of your workouts.
• Use video editing software
• Editing software, like CapCut, can be used to edit Instagram Reels thoroughly. Leverage its visual effects, audio editing tools, and AI-powered features to increase the quality of your Reels and get a broader audience. As an example, consider using CapCut's AI background removal feature to change video backgrounds.
• Start with a strong hook
• A strong hook makes your Reel appealing. The first few seconds of the Reel help viewers decide whether to watch or skip, so a strong start will keep viewers engaged and interested. For example, if you are sharing a travel vlog, take a breathtaking overview from a drone with a question like "Can you guess where I am?" or something similar.
• Use trending sounds and hashtags
• Using trending sounds and hashtags in your Reels will increase their discoverability. This allows you to tap into popular trends, attracting a broader and more diverse audience. For example, take part in trending dance challenges and add your unique twist to them, using relevant hashtags. You can also use diverse audio from CapCut's Audio library with copyright.
• Tell a story
• Telling stories in your Reels helps you to build an emotional connection with your audience. A narrative structure makes the content compelling and keeps the viewers engaged throughout the video. For example, if you are making a food recipe, instead of showing the dish, narrate your story about finding out the recipe and mastering it.
• Showcase behind-the-scenes moments
• Showing behind-the-scenes moments in your Reels adds authenticity and humanizes your brand. Showing how things are done or what happens behind the camera makes your Reels relatable. For example, fashion brands can show different clips of the design process or funny bloopers from a photoshoot.
• Engage with a Call to Action
• Add a call to action to encourage viewers to interact with your Reels. Asking viewers to like, comment, or share your Reel increases engagement and helps you reach a broader audience. For example, a tech vlogger can end the reel with something like, "So, what do you think about this gadget? Comment below and let me know."
• Analyze results
• Always track the results of your Reels to see what works and what doesn't. Use these metrics to improve your strategy and make better content. For example, if a travel vlogger finds out that his adventure reels perform better than the food reels, they can focus on making travel-based content.

Top 6 Instagram trends in 2025

1. Extended Reel duration

One of the most popular Instagram trends is extended Reels, which give creators more time to share their ideas and tell their stories. A poppular example is "Day in my life—3-minute edition," in which creators showcase a fully day's routine with time-lapse effects, smooth transitions, and background music to maintain the interest of the viewers. Longer reels provide seamless storytelling using split screens, jump cuts and overlay text.



2. Enhanced editing tools

Instagram continues to upgrade its editing tools, making it easier to create professional-level content within the app. An example of this trend is "Seamless transitions," which uses motion blur, smooth cuts and match-on action edits to shift between different outfits or locations in a visually striking manner. These tools maintain audience engagement by ensuring fluid storytelling and reducing abrupt cuts. You can access plenty of transition effects in CapCut easily.



3. Incentives for creators

Instagram gives creators more opportunities to earn money through exclusive content. A popular example of this trend is the "Exclusive Reel Content," in which creators share premium content with subscribers or those who pay for special access. Creators use blurred previews, text overlays, and teaser clips to encourage viewers to subscribe. CapCut provides all the functions like that, including blur effects, text tools, and so on.



4. Viral challenges and memes

Viral challenges and meme content continue to dominate the Instagram Reels. A notable example of this trend is the "Freeze Frame Challenge," which lets users to pause at the perfect moment, using quick cuts, zoom effects, or overlays for a dramatic impact. Adding motion blur and timed text enhances the challenge's effect, making these reels visually appealing.



5. Nostalgic content

Content inspired by nostalgia, popular in the '80s and '90s, is becoming popular on Instagram. An example of this trend is "90 Kids Throwback," where creators show 90's cartoons, iconic songs, or vintage fashion clips using grainy effects and VHS filters. Adding different editing effects, such as film overlays, retro color grading, and old-school fonts, enhances authenticity, recreating the nostalgic feel.



6. Educational mini-tutorials

Quick, educational videos that share knowledge or teach practical skills are quickly becoming popular on Instagram. A popular example of this trend is "Day in my life: 5-second tips," in which creators give tutorials, like life hacks or productivity tips, using fast cuts and on-screen text. Using editing effects, like animated text, jump text, and speed ramps in these tutorials, make content dynamic and easily digestible.



Conclusion

Editing Instagram videos is the key to making engaging and viral content. This article discusses how to edit trending Instagram Reels using the Instagram app and CapCut desktop. Following strategies, like starting with a strong hook, using creativity, leveraging music, and engaging the audience with a strong call to action, can boost your Reel's reach. To make your Reels stand out, we recommend using CapCut. Its powerful editing features, like filters, transitions, effects, and AI-powered features, make it an excellent tool for editing Instagram Reels. Download CapCut today and start creating outstanding Reels to reach a broader audience!

FAQs

1. How can I achieve the "before and after" effect in Instagram Reels?
2. Select two contrasting clips to create the "before and after" effect in Instagram Reels. Use a quick transition, like a swipe or zoom, to switch between them smoothly. You can also introduce a split screen for side-by-side comparison. Additionally, you can use filters to enhance the after-effect. For improved effects, you can use CapCut's visual and motion effects.
3. Can I save a draft of my Instagram Reels?
4. Yes, Instagram lets you save drafts of your Reels before publishing. After editing the Reel, choose the "Save as Draft" option instead of posting. You can later access the draft Reels in the "Drafts" section. However, you can only save drafts on your current device. For more editing and cloud-based features, use CapCut, as its cloud storage allows you to access the Reel across devices.
5. How do I change the cover image when editing Instagram Reels?
6. While editing the trending Instagram Reels, you can change the cover image by selecting the "Cover" option before posting. A good cover ensures high engagement levels as it quickly grabs the viewer's attention. In this regard, CapCut is an excellent tool as it allows you to make the Reel covers using its variety of editing tools, like animated text, shapes, and effects, for a more engaging view.