On YouTube Shorts, a trending sound is more than just background music - it’s a discovery engine. Using a viral audio clip plugs your content into a larger cultural moment, giving your Short a visibility boost and making it easier for the algorithm to surface your video.

But here’s the catch: if everyone’s using the same sound, your visuals need to stand out.

Start with the Ultimate Sound + Caption Combo: Capsai.co

Before diving into YouTube’s built-in tools, here’s a smarter workflow: use Capsai.co to combine trending audio with pro-level captions that stop the scroll.

Capsai lets you:

• Upload your Short
• Sync it with trending audio
• Add eye-catching, animated captions that reflect your brand

This is the easiest way to make your video visually distinct - even if 10,000 other creators are using the same sound.

Why On-Screen Text Matters (Even More with Music)

Trending sounds hook attention, but they can’t convey your message alone. With most users watching Shorts on mute, text is your voice.

Generic text overlays from YouTube just don’t cut it. With Capsai.co, you can style your captions to fit your content’s tone - bold, fun, dramatic, minimal - and make them move with your story. It’s like turning subtitles into storytelling.

How to Add Trending Music to Your Short (The Right Way)

Here’s how to add music directly from YouTube’s official library, which ensures your video is safe from copyright issues:

Step 1: Open the YouTube App

• Tap the + icon at the bottom
• Select "Create a Short"

Step 2: Choose Your Sound

• Tap the "Add sound" button at the top
• Browse YouTube’s curated list of music
• Look for the "Trending up" arrow to identify what’s currently viral
• You can also explore genre-specific playlists for niche sounds

Step 3: Preview and Add

• Tap a sound to preview
• Tap the blue checkmark to confirm selection
• Record your video with the music pre-synced
• Or upload a pre-recorded clip and apply the sound over it

Step 4: Time It Right

• Use the "Adjust" tool to select the best segment of the song
• Most trends use a specific few seconds of a song - make sure you match it

Can You Use Music from Outside YouTube?

Technically, yes. Creators often add audio via apps like CapCut or Adobe Premiere Pro. But this comes with serious risks:

⚠️ Content ID Risks:

• YouTube may mute your video, demonetize it, or remove it entirely if the song is unlicensed
• Repeated violations can lead to copyright strikes, hurting your channel long-term

✅ Safer Alternative:

• Stick to YouTube’s in-app library
• If editing externally, upload your final video to Capsai.co and then pair it with trending, platform-safe audio for added flair

Bonus: How to Find What’s Actually Trending

• Check TikTok or Instagram Reels - many trends spill over to YouTube Shorts
• Use YouTube search: Type a keyword and filter for Shorts to see what’s rising
• Pay attention to hashtags and audio names - click through to see how often a sound is used

Final Thoughts: Music Gets the Click. Captions Keep Them Watching.

Trending music is a fast-track into viewers’ feeds - but sound alone won’t hold them.

To truly stand out:

• Use the right music from YouTube’s library
• Pair it with dynamic captions from Capsai.co that turn your message into a visual experience

When your audio and visuals work in harmony, trends become more than noise - they become momentum.

So go ahead - ride the wave, but bring your voice with you. Your captions are how you get remembered.