What is a TikTok trend?

TikTok is all about the creator. Therefore, a sound, hashtag, dance, or challenge can be a TikTok trend.

To the point where the way you edit your post may become a trend. Crazy, right?

Creators “jump on” a trend when it starts to gain popularity by duplicating a popular TikTok video (the original video), making the trend go viral.

It can be a viral dance or even a popular audio clip where creators put their own spin on it.

Anything can go viral on Tiktok. And I mean ANYTHING.

The idea that user generated content can naturally go viral like this on Tiktok is what makes it special.

Whipped dalgona coffee and a quick and simple beauty regimen were among the top viral trends of 2021.

According to TikTok, specialised communities such as Witchtok with 20 billion views and ArtTikTok saw significant growth in 2021 with 11 billion views.

Is it possible to distinguish between TikTok trends for artists and TikTok trends for businesses?

In a nutshell, no. Any trend is fair game for any app user, and businesses and entrepreneurs frequently effectively embrace creator-created trends.

The beauty about tiktok trends is that you can have 5 followers, make your first video, have it go viral and you’ll gain millions of followers after this.

The opportunities of virality and discoverability of new trends on Tiktok is what make this platform so unique to others.

So what are you waiting for? Go on and make your own tiktok trends!

I’m sure you’re thinking: Wait a minute, Monumental, how does doing what everyone else is doing benefit me and my business?

I thought the whole thing about marketing is being unique and finding that one USP to set you apart from competitors?

So, here’s the thing.

Taking advantage of a trend or tiktok challenge (and might I add, putting your own twist on these top trends!) is a simple way to create content that people respond to right away.

Like the opening three chords of Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” trends are instantly identifiable.

And, in the end, that recognition can help you make $$$. It certainly isn’t a BAD thing, is it?

And don’t get me wrong, copy the trend all you like, BUT trends are made to be altered.

And that’s the secret to making them unique to YOU.

While TikTok trends are always recognised, you’ll come to see that not all videos within a trend are the same as you scroll through the platform.

If this were the case, TikTok would be very very boring, am I right?

The way to do it is when creators put their own perspective on the best TikTok trends, and they’re typically rewarded by TikTok’s amazing and unique algorithm for doing so.

This ‘silhouette in the doorway’ movement aka silhouette challenge, for example, has become a hive of thirst traps.

But on the flip side, some of the best and most viral videos have been created by individuals making parodies of this tiktok challenge.

TikTok advertising 2022

Tiktok ads, according to Kantar, are more entertaining than ads on other platforms.

In reality, a large part of that optimism stems from the ability to establish trends and also collaborate with other creators.

Kantar polled 21% of users who felt TikTok ads were more trendsetting than ads on other platforms, and businesses may take advantage of this by following the trends.

Ads on tiktok fit in so seamlessly within your For You pages that you don’t even know its an ad.

That’s how engaging and natural they look.

Before you know it, you’re buying a sun lamp that you don’t even need.

The more your ad blends in with the rest of the person’s feed, the less likely they are to feel angry and ignore it, and leveraging trends in ads is a guaranteed method to do so.

I just beg you to make sure that the video looks as natural as possible. Please.

So natural that the user won’t even know that you’re trying to sell them something.

(Top tip: a good way to do this is to collaborate or feature a Tiktok content creator in your ad!)

TikTok creators are the sharpest tool in the marketing box.

With TikTok being the hottest property in the social app industry right now.

TikTok is used by over half of Gen Z consumers.

Gen Z tiktok users are almost twice as likely to buy purchases based on influencer recommendations.

TikTok influencer marketing is the way to go if your target demographic is Gen Z.

The most forward-thinking businesses are embracing TikTok marketing, and you don’t want to be left behind as TikTok continues to grow as the most popular social media platform.

NOW is the moment to learn how to use TikTok influencer marketing to make your company stand out for all the right reasons.

Influencers are a fantastic approach to connect with target markets for a variety of reasons:

They are experts in their field.

There’s a reason why these TikTok users are called influencers. Through TikTok short videos, they’ve discovered the most effective ways to engage and influence their audience through short clips.

Influencers are trusted more than commercials by 66% of customers aged 18 to 29.

As a result, the message in their TikTok material reaches a large number of people.

They’re natural salespeople.

Influencers know how to make videos go viral. So take their lead and TRUST them if you will work with them.

TikTok creators are usually from the same generation as their fans.

They are aware of the types of content that pique the interest of their target audience.

Creators your one-stop-shop for enhanced brand exposure, trust, and interaction with your target demographic.

Tik tok creators making videos

Sounds, dances, transitions, and hashtags may all be used to start a trend on the app.

One of the simplest methods to spot trends is to go through the Discover page, which will show you a range of popular sounds and themes.

In fact, there’s a hashtag you can use to automate the process.

Some TikTokers use the hashtag #trendalert to indicate trending characteristics that others may follow.

These creators monitor TikTok to see what’s trending, mainly by looking at the ratio of sounds to videos created with those sounds and looking for rapid growth.

Following this hashtag has the advantage of allowing you to jump on any trend they’ve spotted.

Trends can also differ based on the algorithmic niche you’re stuck in.

What’s popular on Tech TikTok, for example, could not be popular on Fashion TikTok. You’re following me here, right?

And that’s OK.

Why? because it means your videos will appear on the For You sites of folks who will appreciate the trend.

You don’t want to be talking to a wall, do you? Exactly. Now let’s move on.

If you’re in a niche or want to be, all you have to do is look at your For You page to see what’s hot.

If a sound appears in a few videos at a time, it’s probable that it’s growing popularity.

Hashtags, dances, and various transitions are all examples of this.

What is a Tiktok challenge?

A TikTok challenge is, at its most basic level, an invitation to do something and film it on TikTok.

These challenges are frequently inspired by viral TikTok videos that feature a song, dancing motion, or movie quotation, among other things.

A challenge isn’t complete without a distinctive hashtag in the video’s caption, of course.

Also, another thing, a TikTok challenge isn’t a challenge if they don’t have their own unique hashtag. Let me be very clear.

If others can’t see your work, it’s not really a TikTok challenge, is it?

TikTok curates videos with the same hashtag when one is assigned to a video (much like how hashtags are used on Twitter and Instagram).

As a result, when you search for a specific tiktok challenge, all of the videos including yours will appear on a single main page.

Nothing is stopping you from creating a completely new TikTok challenge, by the way.

You can make your own by making a video and adding your own unique challenge hashtag.

But keep in mind that it’s up to the TikTok community to make it popular.

1. Viral Dances

Dance is probably the first thing that springs to mind when you think of a TikTok fad.

These styles involve a specific type of choreography that everyone performs and interprets differently.

https://www.tiktok.com/@seung_monkey/video/7018862253847956737?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id6989620419117467142

2.Satisfying videos

The enjoyable video may be the most generally accepted and least contentious genre ever.

This type of material, whether it’s soap cutting, cake frosting, or freezing bubbles, is really relaxing and satisfying.

@satisfyingbyraptv

This has to be the most satisfying video of 2021‼️🤯 via:@thomas_johnson_

♬ Coco (feat. DaBaby) – 24kGoldn

3.Food-tok

Several more culinary trends are expected to become viral in 2022 as a result of the growth in popularity of food content on the video sharing platform, popularly known as ‘FoodTok.’

These trends have the power to affect the purchasing, eating, and cooking habits of millions of people.

They’ve also aided in the introduction of younger generations to the kitchen.

@newt

Down to Pho? 🤨🍜😯

♬ original sound – newt

4.Seamless transitions

Transitions between videos are another TikTok-exclusive feature.

The in-app editing capabilities make it simple to seamlessly transition from one clip to the next.

This may be as easy as keeping your illumination consistent and your camera in the same location, as seen in the following example:

https://www.tiktok.com/@lebreezii/video/7031626748122991878?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id6989620419117467142

5.’Day in the life’

While cranky anti-Instagramers shout, “No one wants to see your avocado toast!” the fact is that a lot of people want to see your avocado toast. And that’s a FACT on Tiktok.

Whether it’s a second-grade teacher, a lawyer, or a couple that lives in a van, there’s something fulfilling about witnessing someone’s daily routine. 

@agatherenou

another little day in the life 🙂 #fyp

♬ original sound – sola

6.Family TikTok

There’s nothing quite like a nice cameo from Mom, Dad, Grandma, or Grandpa to make you feel vulnerable and real.

Try to keep your heart from exploding while watching this family dancing blooper.

Because so many TikTok producers are millennials or Gen Z, seeing older folks on the platform is new (and enjoyable).

So, don’t worry baby boomers and Millenials, you’re welcome on Tiktok.

Just don’t be doing the silhouette challenge, I beg you, please.

Convincing your family to engage is the most difficult aspect, but if you have one good sport, you’ve hit gold.

7.Referencing current pop culture

By tapping into an existing large fan following, you can get some likes, comments, and shares. TikTok trends are typically sparked by popular TV episodes and movies.

Squid Game’s global success in 2021 spawned dalgona-making instructions, musical mashups, and a plethora of tracksuits.

This is just one of the millions of ways TikTok users have cleverly referenced the show to make unique content:

8.Replying to a comment on an older TikTok to create a new one

This is an easy approach to engage your followers in a continuous conversation. Use comments on previously published films to spark fresh ideas, as the below creator did.

Establishing a reputation for responding to comments will only increase the quantity of TikTok comments you receive (and comments lead to more views, likes and followers).

If you’re utilising TikTok for business, this is a terrific way to generate content.

For example, Vessi, a waterproof sneaker maker, utilised a comment to demonstrate that their sneakers are machine washable.

@vessi

Reply to @catherine_329 Did you know our weekend style is machine washable?! So easy. #waterproofshoes #vessi #hellospring #whiteshoes #vessiweekend

♬ original sound – harphammusic

8.Replying to a comment on an older TikTok to create a new one

This is an easy approach to engage your followers in a continuous conversation. Use comments on previously published films to spark fresh ideas, as the below creator did.

Establishing a reputation for responding to comments will only increase the quantity of TikTok comments you receive (and comments lead to more views, likes and followers).

If you’re utilising TikTok for business, this is a terrific way to generate content.

For example, Vessi, a waterproof sneaker maker, utilised a comment to demonstrate that their sneakers are machine washable.

@vessi

Reply to @catherine_329 Did you know our weekend style is machine washable?! So easy. #waterproofshoes #vessi #hellospring #whiteshoes #vessiweekend

♬ original sound – harphammusic

9.Behind-the-scenes

We all prefer to know what’s going on behind the scenes, and behind-the-scenes videos are great for both education and making viewers feel like they’re receiving something special.

A behind-the-scenes film might give your brand an extra dimension if you’re a creator who generates something physical (like art, cuisine, or fashion) and markets it on TikTok.

You can even do a behind-the-scenes TikTok to show how you created a TikTok.

10.Catering to different subcultures

It’s a TikTok subculture, if you can dream it.

Cleantok, an unusual section of the program dedicated entirely to cleaning, starts with the stove cleaning mention.

There’s also gymtok, planttok, dadtok, and swifttok, to name a few.

You can look for subcultures on your own – any word followed by “tok” is typically a good bet if you’re starting from scratch.

However, just navigating around the app and like or commenting on videos that speak to you is the best method to ensure that your For You page displays the TikTok sides you want to see.

Then, once you’ve found your folks, give them what they want.

Author

  • Alicia, the digital marketing dynamo herself, is our digital marketing Manager at Monumental. We are yet to find something our Indonesian-Belgian princess can't do. Prior to discovering Monumental, Alicia finished an honours degree in Sociology at the University of Kent and began building her marketing network in the Middle East. Having graced us with her stunning social channel aesthetics and unrivalled powers of Influencer marketing and SEO for several years now, it's no wonder she's giving us that side-eye.