The October Trend Report

Autumn has officially arrived, and not just outside, but on our screens.

This season, social media feeds are transforming into warm, nostalgic mood boards. The pace has slowed, the tones have softened, and the stories feel a little more human. From cozy fall montages to honest confessions and cinematic edits, October’s trends are all about emotion, authenticity, and connection.

At By A Management, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the conversations and creative shifts happening across Instagram and TikTok. The common thread? People are craving comfort in visuals, sound, and storytelling. This month’s trends blend soft aesthetics with genuine emotion, proving that simplicity and sincerity are winning the scroll.

Here are the six trends dominating feeds this October — and why they’re striking such a chord.

I Love Autumn

Audio: I Love Autumn – The Cozy Kansas

If autumn were a feeling, this would be it. Using a nostalgic soundtrack, creators compile clips from September through November — foggy mornings, candlelit rooms, crunchy leaves, and golden-hour walks. It’s a simple yet deeply emotional montage of life’s smallest, coziest pleasures.

Why it connects:
This trend taps into universal nostalgia. Viewers don’t just see fall — they feel it. The soft visuals and comforting rhythm of the music make every video feel like flipping through a familiar diary. It’s shareable, sentimental, and deeply aesthetic.

For brands:
Use this trend to tell a sensory story. Cafés, lifestyle brands, and travel companies can all use it to evoke atmosphere — not just sell products. Think slow pans, warm tones, and captions that feel like poetry.

Unfortunately, I Do Love…

Audio: Rocky Mountain Way – Joe Walsh

This trend is all about radical honesty — but make it charming. Creators layer simple clips with text confessions of their “bad habits” or guilty pleasures (“wearing sweatpants,” “ordering McDonald’s again,” “taking out hair extensions”). It’s equal parts funny and relatable.

Why it connects:
It’s refreshing in its simplicity. The format feels unfiltered — like hearing a friend admit something you secretly do too. That mix of humor and honesty is what makes people stop scrolling.

For brands:
Try a lighthearted take: “Unfortunately, we do love…” followed by your brand quirks — “starting new projects,” “double-shot espressos,” “a Friday deadline.” It’s a clever way to humanize your tone and spark engagement.

Life With Her/Him

Audio: Planetarium – Justin Hurwitz

Love, but make it imperfect. This trend celebrates the beautiful chaos of real relationships: partners teasing each other, kids leaving toys everywhere, quiet gestures that say “this is love.”

Why it connects:
The combination of soft, cinematic music and real-life moments hits the emotional sweet spot. It reminds viewers that love isn’t filtered — it’s found in laughter, mess, and everyday rituals.

For brands:
Perfect for lifestyle, family, or community storytelling. Show behind-the-scenes snippets of your team, your customers, or the everyday love stories your brand is part of. It’s emotion-led marketing at its most genuine.

Desktop Folders

Audio: Original Audio

A playful, creative edit that turns Reels into nostalgic desktop screens. Each “folder” is labeled with a mood — “Fall Vibes,” “Outfits,” or “Camera Roll” — and opens mid-video to reveal a curated montage of clips or photos.

Why it connects:
It’s visually satisfying, nostalgic, and interactive. That little “reveal moment” keeps viewers hooked, triggering curiosity and delight. It’s also a nod to early-2000s digital nostalgia — and audiences can’t resist it.

For brands:
Use this to show product collections, seasonal lookbooks, or campaign highlights. The “folder reveal” creates a perfect visual hook for storytelling that’s aesthetic and strategic.

I Know Ball

Audio: When the Sun Hits – Slowdive

This trend celebrates the “hidden flex” — a topic creators actually know a lot about, but rarely talk about. It’s equal parts self-aware, educational, and entertaining. From art techniques to skincare routines to niche history lessons, this one’s all about surprising expertise.

Why it connects:
Audiences love authenticity that doesn’t try too hard. This trend feels confident yet humble — it’s about sharing knowledge without preaching. It’s the perfect blend of “same” and “wait, that’s impressive.”

For brands:
This is your chance to show authority with personality. Instead of product promotion, share what you really know — from your creative process to your industry insights. Knowledge shared with confidence builds instant credibility.

Ultra-Wide Reels

Format: 5120×1080 cinematic edit with dramatic music

Think movie trailer meets Instagram Reel. Creators are cropping their videos into ultra-wide cinematic frames, paired with moody soundtracks and minimal text. The result is sleek, unexpected, and totally scroll-stopping.

Why it connects:
It breaks the monotony of vertical video. The cinematic aspect ratio and slow pacing demand attention — even for the simplest moments, like making breakfast or walking through the city. It feels premium, artistic, and different.

For brands:
This is a perfect visual tool for luxury, fashion, or design-focused campaigns. Use ultra-wide framing to showcase your product in a new light — literally. It’s a short-lived trend, but one that can instantly elevate your feed aesthetic.

Why These Trends Work

October’s trends all share one defining trait: emotion-driven storytelling.

After months of fast edits and trend fatigue, audiences are craving something slower, softer, and more sincere. Each of these formats — from cozy montages to confessional captions — allows creators to express vulnerability and warmth in their own way. Social media is entering its “comfort era.” Instead of chasing virality, people want connection. They want to laugh at shared flaws, romanticise daily routines, and see authenticity reflected back at them. For brands, this means the most powerful content isn’t polished — it’s personal. The more you show real people, real moments, and real emotion, the stronger your digital presence becomes.

At By A Management, we believe this shift marks the next chapter of digital storytelling — one rooted in warmth, nostalgia, and honesty. Whether you’re a brand or a creator, this season is your invitation to slow down, show up authentically, and connect through stories that feel like home.

Ready to make your brand part of the conversation?