In a nutshell
- TikTok trends encompass a wide variety of elements like sounds, dances, hashtags and video formats, and identifying them requires understanding and tracking trending hashtags and monitoring the TikTok Discover Page.
- Macro trends for 2023 on TikTok include actionable entertainment, promoting joy and well-being, and fostering community-built ideals, emphasizing authentic and engaging content.
- Successfully tapping into TikTok trends requires a blend of humor, timing and genuine connection with one’s audience while maintaining authenticity.
With over one billion monthly active users in 2023, finding what’s trending in TikTok can be overwhelming. What’s popular today might die out by next week. So, instead of listing fleeting trends that might be outdated by the time you see them, we’re giving you tips to spot and capitalize on current TikTok trends.
There’s a lot more to TikTok trends than copying what’s popular. You have to consider things like your timing and the trend’s relevance to your audience. You also need to understand the nuances of each trend you decide to jump on to make sure it doesn’t look like you’re forcing it. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all guide on how to join the trends on the platform, but we will share some tips to help you get started.
What is a TikTok trend?
A TikTok trend is a series of videos that use the same viral element, such as sounds, dances, hashtags or video formats. It often involves users replicating the original clip’s concept with their unique spin.
Most of the time, TikTok trends take the form of skits, transitions, funny sounds, new music releases, lip syncs, filters and dances. Whether it’s a beach run set to Taylor Swift’s “August,” enumerating your boyfriend’s “beige flags,” echoing Kylie Jenner’s “I Don’t Like it,” embracing Barbie-themed filters and outfits, using the “Never Back Down, Never What?” sound, or trying out Ariana Grande’s “Fantasize” dance trend, TikTok trends can originate from anywhere. With numerous niches and micro-niches, anything could spark the next big trend overnight.
Identifying current and upcoming TikTok trends
Checking out trending hashtags is one of the best ways to discover what’s viral for the week. Similar to how trending works on Twitter/X, you can see what’s hot and what’s gaining traction in real time. Examining trending hashtags provides a detailed report on current trends. TikTok displays how many posts and views a particular hashtag has garnered. This can help you determine whether a trend is on the ascent or is already saturated. For instance, as of this writing, the top trending hashtag on TikTok is #scarystories, with 191,000 posts and 147 million views. Given this level of engagement, #scarystories doesn’t appear to be overly saturated and will likely continue to rise in views.
Trends also appear on the TikTok Discover Page, showcasing current hot creators, top hashtags, recent events, new challenges and more. For content creators, the TikTok Creative Center is an excellent source for a comprehensive report of current trends. The Creative Center lists what’s been trending on TikTok over the past week, month or even year.
Studying macro trends on TikTok for 2023
According to the TikTok What’s Next Report for 2023, the short-form platform app predicts that for this year, actionable entertainment, making space for joy and community-built ideals are going to shape the app’s trajectory. This means that creators need to be mindful of these macro trends in their content to make a genuine connection with their audience. Here are a few trends TikTok itself predicts will be on the up and up.
Actionable entertainment
Videos that are entertaining and funny would make people click. Entertainment, in the first place, is the top category in TikTok for a reason. The majority of people who continue to use TikTok do so to be entertained. For brands and creators, TikTok says the ads/sponsored content should be “delivered like an ad, but loved like entertainment.”
Making space for joy
Many people today feel burnout, leading them to gravitate toward self-care videos. These might include skincare routines, meditation practices or even simple activities like window shopping and visiting coffee shops.
There are numerous communities on TikTok you can explore if you’re uncertain about your niche. Within larger categories, there are popular micro niches like #cleantok, #sneakertok, #momtok, #booktok and #animetok. Users often seek content that mirrors the life they aspire to or offers tips they’re eager to learn.
Analyzing your audience’s interests
Before diving into a trend, it’s vital to understand which ones will resonate with your specific audience. Beyond the trend’s relatability, audiences appreciate authentic creators who aren’t solely there to sell but to empathize with them.
You can effectively do this by using analytics tools to know which type of content/trends performs better. Constantly researching references and nuances within your community also helps make content that resonates with your viewer base.
Don’t underestimate the power of humor and timing
If you’re a TikTok content creator who has been on the platform for a while, then you would know how impactful humor is. Many creators on the app gathered a huge following because of their humor, finding much success when hoping in trends and challenges. Timing is another powerful factor in being successful in joining trends, as fresh content has a higher chance of discoverability. Needless to say, no matter your niche, it’s important to stay updated on what’s popular. Pairing that awareness with content you’re proud of will help you stay relevant in the fast-paced world of TikTok.
