A fully automated Reels trend-tracking system with n8n + Notion

I just released a working system that automatically finds the most engaging Instagram Reels from selected accounts — perfect for marketers, content creators, and media teams who want to turn viral Reels into their own hits.

How to Setup:

What this system does:

  • Tracks Reels from a list of Instagram accounts
  • Calculates performance vs. account median (views, likes, comments)
  • Identifies early trends based on fast engagement
  • Uses AI to:
    • Classify each Reel (type + category)
    • Transcribe & translate content
    • Extract hooks (e.g., how attention is captured)
  • Lets you confirm or reject ideas — approved ones go straight to your production table

How it works (simplified steps):

  1. I add Instagram handles to a Notion table — the automation fetches stats and recent Reels
  2. Each Reel is saved in a separate table with:
  • Metadata (views, likes, comments)
  • Engagement trend detection (early trend / trending / normal)
  • AI-generated type and category (from a custom prompt)
  • Auto-translated transcription + hook summary
  1. I review the results and click “Approve” on the best ideas — they move into my video production pipeline automatically

Customize it for your needs:

  • You can change how “trending” is calculated — by default, it’s based on % above the account’s median stats
  • AI classification uses a prompt — just update it in the Set Prompt node to match your own rules (e.g., business vs. entertainment)

What do you think — should I build a similar system for YouTube Shorts next?

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