Instagram changes faster than your feed refreshes. Blink and suddenly there’s a new feature, a new type of Reel, or a new meme you feel like you need to be part of. For creators and brands, that pace can feel overwhelming. What worked a few months ago might already feel outdated, and what felt “extra” yesterday could be tomorrow’s baseline expectation.
Trends are opportunities. They are signals that show how people want to engage, what catches their attention, and where they’re willing to spend time. When you know which trends matter, you can choose the ones that align with your brand and use them to keep your content fresh, polished, and scroll-stopping without burning yourself out. Packsia videos and templates are designed to work with the platform as it evolves, making it easier to jump on what’s relevant while still looking consistent and professional.
Here are 20 Instagram trends to watch for the remainder of 2025, with ideas on how to make the most of them for your social strategy.
1. Bigger Carousels = Bigger Stories
Carousels now let you post up to 20 images or clips, giving you more space than ever to share. This opens the door to richer storytelling: photo dumps, step-by-step tutorials, and extended narratives. The key is to use the space wisely. If every slide looks too similar, people will swipe away. Keep it varied with a mix of visuals and pacing so that the audience is rewarded for continuing through all 20.
Tip: Blend polished imagery with authentic, candid shots. When you pair professional content with looser moments, you create a narrative that feels real and keeps viewers engaged until the very end.
2. Trending Audio Is Your Best Friend
Adding trending audio to Reels and posts signals to Instagram that your content is timely and aligned with what people are already engaging with. It also makes your videos more discoverable, since Instagram pushes trending sounds to wider audiences. A quick scroll will show you what’s popular, and you can easily adapt it to your own niche.
Tip: Packsia videos are neutral enough to pair seamlessly with almost any trending audio, so you can stay consistent while still jumping on what’s popular.
3. Play With Story Stickers
Instagram updates its interactive Story stickers constantly, from polls to cutouts to reveals. These features are powerful because they transform passive viewing into active engagement. A poll or a question sticker can spark feedback, while interactive reveals can drive curiosity and clicks.
Tip: Asking a question or running a poll? Layer it over a Packsia video background instead of a plain color. It makes your Story instantly more professional and eye-catching while still being quick to create.
4. Show Your Sustainability
Audiences in 2025 are looking for more than product features. They want to know your values, especially around sustainability and ethics. Sharing how you make eco-friendly choices or highlighting behind-the-scenes practices can build trust and community around your brand. It doesn’t need to be a polished campaign; even simple storytelling works if it feels authentic.
Tip: Use a short video clip with text overlay to show these moments. Highlight packaging choices, team initiatives, or your approach to sourcing. Small glimpses add up to a bigger story of responsibility.
5. Explore Subscriptions
Instagram subscriptions let followers pay for access to exclusive content. This could be bonus tutorials, private Q&As, or special offers. The model creates direct income for creators and strengthens loyalty among your audience. The challenge is planning what exclusive content you can sustain without overwhelming your workflow.
Tip: Pre-plan a few Packsia videos as “members only” drops. They’re quick to create, professional-looking, and easy to reserve for subscribers.
6. Text Posts and Memes Stay Evergreen
Memes and text-based content continue to dominate because they’re fast, funny, and relatable. Pairing simple statements or jokes with visuals keeps your audience entertained and sharing. The key is relevance: when memes connect to your brand identity or niche, they go beyond entertainment and build community.
Tip: Instead of a plain colored background, place your text over a Packsia video. It gives your meme or statement extra polish while still keeping the focus on the words.
7. Animal Celebrities Rule
Viral animals seem to appear every month, from baby hippos to unlikely pet duos. These moments are lighthearted, widely shareable, and rarely controversial, making them perfect for brands that want to participate in cultural moments without stepping into risky territory.
Tip: Use trending animal references as inspiration for captions or layered text on Packsia clips. You don’t need to post the animal itself — you just need to tap into the humor and timing.
8. Experiment With AI Features
Meta is rolling out AI tools quickly, from filters to creative assistance. Audiences are curious about AI, and using it sparingly can show your brand is forward-thinking. Just remember that AI isn’t perfect, so proofread and refine before publishing.
Tip: Use Packsia videos as your base, then experiment with AI-generated captions or design tweaks to enhance them. That way, you keep quality control while testing new tools
9. Reply With a Reel
Reply Reels allow you to turn a comment into content. Whether you’re answering a question, highlighting praise, or engaging playfully, it shows you’re present and responsive. This builds community and encourages more people to leave comments, knowing they might get featured.
Tip: Repurpose Packsia clips as the backdrop for your replies. It keeps your visuals on-brand while letting your response shine.
10. Video Memes Are Here
Video memes bring humor to life with movement and sound, making them more engaging than still memes. They thrive on imperfection and spontaneity, which makes them easy to create without overproducing.
Tip: Take one of our clips, pair it with a trending caption, and lean into the casual feel. The less “perfect,” the more relatable it often feels.
11. Add Audio to Still Images
Still posts don’t have to be silent. Adding music brings them to life and creates another layer of engagement. Songs don’t have to be brand new either — nostalgia tracks often spark stronger reactions than current hits.
Tip: When you’re not sure which audio to pick, start with trending sounds. They’re already popular, and your still post instantly feels more dynamic.
12. Quiet Ads Work Harder
Audiences are savvy and can spot an ad instantly. That’s why subtle, lifestyle-focused sponsored posts perform better. Ads that blend into the feed while still telling a clear story are more likely to earn trust and clicks.
Tip: Use Packsia visuals that look like organic lifestyle content. They give your ads the polish of professional production while keeping them natural enough to feel authentic.
13. Generational Humor Wins
Lighthearted commentary on generational habits is always a hit. Audiences love poking fun at themselves, and it often sparks lively comment threads. The key is to keep it positive and inclusive, not divisive.
Tip: Use a Packsia clip that sets the scene, then layer generational jokes as text. It makes the humor more relatable and shareable.
14. Smarter Hashtags (With or Without AI)
Hashtags are evolving, and while AI can help brainstorm them, the real strategy is specificity. Using niche, community-driven hashtags helps your content connect with the right audiences rather than getting lost in the noise.
Tip: Build a rotating list of branded hashtags and mix them with trending ones to maximize reach.
15. Notes for Intimacy
Instagram Notes add an extra touchpoint between you and your closest followers. They work well for inside jokes, small announcements, or quick updates. Their exclusivity makes them feel more personal than Stories or captions.
Tip: Use Notes to tease upcoming content drops or collaborations, making your closest audience feel in the loop first.
16. Branded Hashtags Build UGC
User-generated content is free marketing that also deepens community ties. Creating a branded hashtag encourages your followers to share their experiences, and over time builds a library of authentic content you can repost.
Tip: Share a branded hashtag in your captions, and reshare user content with your own Packsia visuals to create continuity.
17. More Links in Bio
With up to five links in bio, you no longer need to rely on third-party tools. Use this space to connect your audience to everything from your shop to your newsletter. Just make sure the links are clear, updated, and intentional.
Tip: Align your links with the content you’re posting. If you’re promoting a Reel built with Packsia, make sure your bio links to the product or service featured.
18. Evolve With the Trend
Trends rarely stay in one form. They evolve, cross platforms, and often branch into multiple variations. Staying relevant means not just participating once but adapting as trends shift.
Tip: Use the same Packsia clip in different ways as a trend evolves. Swap the text, change the audio, or remix the story — it keeps you on trend without starting from scratch.
19. Comment on Stories Publicly
Story comments make engagement more visible and public. By commenting on others’ Stories, your brand name reaches new audiences while showing genuine interest in the community.
Tip: Use this as a networking tactic. Engage with creators you admire or potential collaborators by leaving thoughtful comments that are visible to their audience.
20. Keep It Simple
Low-effort content is not only accepted but celebrated. Single-shot Reels with clear text overlays often perform better than over-edited, time-consuming videos. Audiences value clarity and relatability more than perfection.
Tip: With Packsia videos, simplicity is built-in. Drop in your message, pair it with the right audio, and you’ve got a trend-ready Reel in minutes.
Follow The Trends That Matter With Packsia
Instagram is about flexibility and intention. You don’t need to chase every trend or spend hours editing every post. Focus on the ones that fit your voice, keep your audience curious, and align with your brand values. Packsia videos give you a strong visual foundation so you can stay consistent while making the most of what’s trending.
