What are challenges on TikTok?
Challenges are popular viral content trends that users participate in and re-create on TikTok. They often involve creating video responses to prompts or showing off skills. Challenges take advantage of the participatory nature of TikTok, encouraging users to put their own spin on a meme or idea. As more users create and share their own versions, a challenge can spread rapidly on the platform.
Challenges frequently use designated hashtags to allow users to easily find and contribute to the trend. By searching or clicking on a challenge hashtag like #InMyFeelings or #FlipTheSwitch, you can view the compilation of videos people have created for that challenge. This makes it simple to discover new challenges as well as share your own take.
Overall, TikTok challenges tap into the app’s viral nature. By jumping on a popular challenge, users can gain more views and exposure. At the same time, launching a creative and captivating challenge presents opportunities for brands and influencers. When a TikTok challenge takes off, it can engage millions of users and dominate the platform’s trends.
Why do challenges go viral on TikTok?
Challenges go viral on TikTok for several reasons, but the main ones have to do with the interactive, social and competitive nature of these video trends.
One of the biggest factors is that challenges are inclusive – anyone can participate regardless of their number of followers or existing popularity on the platform. Even users with no followers at all can hop on a challenge and potentially get noticed. This creates the chance for any user to have their moment in the spotlight if a challenge they create or participate in goes big.
The competitive aspect also adds fuel to challenges. Users are motivated to put their own creative spin on challenge videos as they try to stand out among the masses of other users’ content. They want their videos to get the most views, reactions and shares.
TikTok challenges capture the cultural zeitgeist by tapping into pop culture, current events and viral memes or songs. When a challenge theme resonates with what is already trending in the mainstream, it provides familiarity and relevance that aids in its ability to spread rapidly on the platform.
Finding currently trending challenges
One of the best ways to find trending challenges on TikTok is to check the Discover tab. The Discover tab allows you to browse popular and recent challenges that are going viral. You can scroll through different challenge categories like dance, comedy, talent, and more to see which ones have the most engagement.
Another place to find trending challenges is the Challenges page within TikTok. Here you can view global and local rankings of the top challenges. The rankings are based on the number of user-generated videos, so you can quickly identify the most popular challenges that have gained traction.
You can also search directly for trending challenge hashtags on TikTok. Try searching for top hashtags like #dancechallenge, #TikTokChallenge, or other viral challenges. This allows you to discover new and emerging challenges as they gain momentum. The number of views on videos with the hashtag indicates how much buzz the challenge is getting.
Overall, regularly checking the Discover tab, Challenge page rankings, and trending challenge hashtags is the best way to stay on top of the latest viral challenges blowing up on TikTok. This ensures you can quickly identify challenges gaining popularity so you can participate early on.
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Joining in on viral challenges
When you see a challenge going viral that you want to participate in, the most important thing is to film your own unique take on it. Simply recreating the same video idea that kicked off the trend won’t help your content stand out. Get creative and add your own spin!
Once you’ve filmed your video, make sure to add the appropriate hashtag(s) associated with that challenge so that your content surfaces when people search for it. For example, if participating in the #InMyDenim challenge, include that hashtag so your video is discoverable by others looking through that tag.
You can also utilize TikTok’s stitch and duet features to directly build off of existing challenge videos. Using the stitch tool lets you include part of someone else’s video in your own, while duets play your video side-by-side with the original. This helps your content directly engage with the trending challenge format for maximum visibility.
As explained in this tutorial, duets provide a great way to put your own spin on a viral challenge while still clearly associating your take with the original. TikTok even created a React tab specifically designed to make it easy to find videos to duet with.
Creating your own challenges
If you want to stand out on TikTok, you can create and launch your own original challenge. The key is to come up with an interesting or fun activity or prompt that people will want to participate in. Here are some tips for creating a successful TikTok challenge:
First, brainstorm challenge ideas that are creative, easy to replicate, and visually engaging. For example, challenges like the Flip the Switch challenge where users dressed up in each other’s clothes, or the Blinding Lights dance challenge set to The Weeknd’s song.
Next, create an example video doing the challenge yourself to launch it and set the trend. Make sure to demonstrate the challenge clearly. Choose eye-catching text, visuals, effects, and music to capture attention.
Then come up with a unique hashtag for your challenge and include it prominently in your video caption and onscreen text. Encourage viewers to participate in the challenge using the hashtag.
After posting your launch video, promote the hashtag through your other social media channels, friends with large followings, and by engaging with TikTok’s “For You” page algorithm through likes and comments. Aim to get influencers with large follower counts to help spread the challenge organically.
A viral challenge can help you gain lots of new followers quickly and show off your creativity. But keep in mind that not every challenge takes off, so come up with fun ideas that provide entertainment value for the TikTok community.
Best practices for challenges
When creating or participating in TikTok challenges, it’s important to keep some best practices in mind:
Keep it lighthearted and safe. Avoid dangerous or harmful challenges, and make sure any activities involved are safe and legal. According to Sprout Social, brands should avoid “overly risky, dangerous, or controversial content.”
Make accessibility and inclusiveness a priority. Consider how people of different abilities, backgrounds, and access to resources can participate. As TikTok Ads Manager suggests, use inclusive branding and messaging.
Don’t force or pressure participation. Let people opt in organically and make it easy to opt out. As Sprout Social recommends, brands should “make it easy for users to participate or exit the challenge.”
Credit the challenge creator if possible. When joining a trending challenge, try to credit the original creator. TikTok Ads Manager notes this helps “maintain creator relationships.”
Overall, the goal should be fun, voluntary engagement that uplifts the community. Challenges allow creativity and community building at their best.
Risks and controversies
While some TikTok challenges are fun and harmless, others can be extremely dangerous or inappropriate if taken too far. Users should thoroughly review challenge safety and appropriateness before participating.
Some highly dangerous challenges have gone viral on TikTok, leading to injuries and even deaths. For example, the Tide Pod challenge involved consuming laundry detergent pods, while the blackout challenge encouraged users to choke themselves until passing out. Parents should be aware of any dangerous viral challenges so they can warn their children.
It’s also important to avoid challenges that are culturally insensitive or offensive. TikTok has faced backlash when users appropriated challenges from minority communities without proper credit or context. Users should be mindful of how their content could affect marginalized groups.
While viral challenges can help grow an audience, safety and cultural awareness should be top priorities. With some caution, TikTok challenges can provide creative fun for users.
Notable TikTok challenges
Some of the biggest viral challenges on TikTok include:
The Renegade
Created by 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon, the Renegade dance went massively viral in late 2019/early 2020. It involves a fast-paced sequence of arm movements and hip swings set to the song “Lottery” by K Camp. Many celebrities even joined in on the trend. The challenge showcased quick, flashy dance moves that were fun to try and showed off dance skills.[1]
Here’s Charli D’Amelio’s popular rendition:
The Mug Challenge
This challenge from December 2022 involved applying full makeup with products attached to the back of a mug. It demonstrated makeup skills and creativity. The twist of using a mug made it fun and amusing for viewers.[2]
Flip the Switch
This March 2020 challenge had users swapping outfits to Drake’s song “Nonstop.” Often done in pairs, it showed quick outfit changes and humor when people switched into each other’s clothes. The unexpected outfit reveals kept it entertaining.[3]
Leveraging challenges strategically
Brands can leverage viral challenges on TikTok as a way to engage with audiences and promote their products or services in an organic, creative way. Launching a branded hashtag challenge allows a brand to encourage users to participate in a campaign centered around their brand or products. For example, Chipotle’s #GuacDance challenge in 2019 generated over 250,000 video submissions and over 430 million video starts in just 6 days [1].
Brands can also participate in trending challenges organically to reach new audiences. Rather than launching their own challenge, they can create content that fits into popular ongoing challenges as a way to expand visibility and engagement. For example, brands might participate in dance challenges by having employees perform dances incorporating their product. This allows brands to tap into the built-in visibility of trending challenges.
Influencers are also leveraging TikTok challenges as a growth strategy. By participating early in viral challenges, influencers can expose their content to new audiences and gain followers. The most popular challenges attract participation from top influencers. For influencers, joining current hashtag challenges provides a unique opportunity to create content aligned with trending topics and increase their reach and impact on TikTok.
Finding your next challenge
By now you should have a good grasp on how to find trending challenges on TikTok. From keeping tabs on currently popular hashtags and sounds, to browsing the Discover page and For You feed, there are many techniques to stay on top of the latest viral challenges.
When deciding which challenges to participate in, use good judgement. While challenges can be fun and creative ways to engage with the TikTok community, some can promote dangerous or irresponsible behavior. Opt for challenges that are lighthearted and safe.
Trying out trending challenges is an exciting way to boost your engagement and views on TikTok. Challenges give you an opportunity to put your own spin on viral content while connecting with fellow users. And you never know, your creative take on a popular challenge just might kick off the next big craze!
As you discover new challenges gaining momentum, consider how you can add your unique flair. TikTok challenges showcase people’s creativity and individuality. So don’t be afraid to make it your own and have fun with each challenge you take on. Stay current with the latest trends, participate safely, and let your imagination run wild!
