What is Trend Discovery on TikTok?
Trend discovery on TikTok refers to the process of identifying popular and viral content themes, formats, sounds, hashtags, effects, and challenges on the platform. The goal is to discover emerging trends and topics that are resonating with TikTok’s audience, so creators and brands can leverage them for their own content.
TikTok has dedicated sections and tools within the app to aid with trend discovery. The platform tracks what types of videos are going viral, trending hashtags and songs being used, popular TikTok creators, and geographic trends. By analyzing this data, TikTok can surface current trends and recommend relevant content to each user.
Trend discovery allows TikTok creators and marketers to:
- Find inspiration for new video ideas that are primed for popularity.
- Use trending memes, sounds, effects and hashtags to increase their own video’s views, likes, and shares.
- Collaborate with top trending creators.
- Stay relevant in the fast-changing TikTok landscape and give viewers content they want to see.
Overall, discovering emerging trends is crucial for anyone looking to create engaging videos, build a loyal TikTok audience, and get content seen by users on the platform.
Finding the Discover Tab
The Discover tab was previously located at the bottom of the TikTok app, allowing users to easily find trending content. However, in early 2022, TikTok removed the dedicated Discover tab from its mobile app (https://fanbytes.co.uk/tiktok-discover-tab-gone/).
Without the Discover tab, finding trending content requires searching hashtags or sounds, using the For You feed, or following trend-setting creators. On desktop, the Discover tab still exists, allowing users to browse trending hashtags, sounds, and effects (https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok/exploring-videos/discover-and-search).
To find the Discover tab on desktop:
- Click on the magnifying glass icon on the left sidebar
- Scroll down to the Discover section
- Browse trending hashtags, sounds, and effects
Without the mobile Discover tab, users need to rely on TikTok’s recommendations on the For You feed or explore trending content through searches and by following influencers.
Using Hashtags and Sounds
One of the easiest ways to discover trends on TikTok is by searching popular hashtags and sounds. Hashtags are an essential part of TikTok, allowing users to find and participate in challenges, effects, stories, and more. By searching trending hashtags like #dance or #fyp, you can see the most popular videos using those tags. This helps you identify rising trends and viral content.
TikTok also analyzes trending sounds and music being used in videos. You can search by sounds to find the most popular videos using a certain song or audio clip. For example, searching the “Oh No” sound will surface videos using that meme-inspired track. Pay attention to spikes in use of unique sounds, which often indicate a new meme or challenge is emerging.
TikTok provides tools to research trending hashtags and sounds. The TikTok Creative Center showcases the most popular hashtags updated daily. Third-party sites like Keyhole also track trending hashtags. By monitoring these resources, you can quickly find rising trends to leverage in your own content.
The For You Page
The For You page (FYP) is TikTok’s algorithmic feed that shows you videos based on your interests and interactions. The FYP is personalized for each user and is a great way to discover new trends and viral content. As you like, share, and engage with videos on TikTok, the algorithm refines the FYP to show you more of what you enjoy.
The FYP heavily features trending sounds, hashtags, effects, and challenges. If a certain video format starts going viral, your FYP will likely be full of related content as the trend spreads across TikTok. You can use the FYP discover which types of videos perform well among audiences who share your interests. Pay attention to formats, captions, sounds, and hashtags associated with popular content in your feed.
The FYP also highlights trending individual creators. If an influencer in your niche starts gaining traction, their content will likely appear in your FYP. Identify rising stars in your field and take note of what is resonating with their growing fan base.
While the FYP provides a tailored experience, it also exposes you to trending content outside of your known interests. The “For You” feed lets you stay on top of the latest viral trends on TikTok in general. Regularly checking your FYP is one of the best ways to stay on trend and discover formats and strategies you can adopt for your own content.
Following Trending Users
One of the best ways to discover new trends on TikTok is by following top trendsetting creators. TikTok’s Creative Center provides a list of the most popular creators across different categories like comedy, dance, food, beauty, and more. You can browse creators by popularity as well as drill down by country to find top local creators driving trends in specific markets.
The key is to identify the creators who consistently set viral trends and challenges. Oftentimes they specialize in certain content formats like transitions or dance challenges. By tapping “Follow” on their profiles, you’ll ensure their latest trending content shows up in your Following feed. This allows you to discover new viral sounds, effects, and ideas as soon as they start blowing up. It also helps inspire your own content based on what is currently resonating with TikTok’s audience.
In addition to the Creative Center, you can discover rising trendsetters just by regularly scrolling through your For You feed and tapping into trending audios and hashtags. When you come across an engaging video, check out the creator’s profile and give them a Follow if their content aligns with your brand and interests.
Location Tagging
Location tagging allows you to view TikTok trends and discover content based on geographic location. When creating a TikTok video, you can add a location tag to specify where it was filmed. TikTok then aggregates videos by location, making it easy to find trending content in specific cities, countries, landmarks, and places.
To view trends by location, go to the Discover tab and tap on “Nearby.” You will see a map view with pins for nearby locations. Tapping on a pin shows you trending videos, sounds, hashtags, and effects from that place. This is a great way to find localized trends and connect with content creators in your area.
You can also search for a specific location like “New York City” or “Eiffel Tower.” The results will showcase viral sounds, songs, dances, challenges, and creators tied to that location. Location tagging helps spread trends geographically across TikTok.
If you want your videos to reach a local audience, make sure to add the appropriate location tag when filming. This will put your content in front of users browsing trends in your area. Utilizing location tags is an effective strategy for tapping into hyperlocal trends on TikTok.
Challenges and Effects
One of the most popular ways trends spread on TikTok is through challenges, where users create videos based on a common theme or specific instructions. Participating in viral challenges can be a great way to get more views and exposure. Some of the biggest challenges on TikTok have included the #positivity challenge, the Renegade dance, and the Silhouette Challenge.
Keeping an eye out for trending challenges in your niche and participating early can help your videos take off. You can find currently popular challenges by browsing the Discover and For You pages and seeing what challenges have their own designated hashtags. Using relevant viral effects, sounds, and hashtags associated with a challenge can make it more likely your video gets viewed by others doing the challenge.
Creating your own unique twist on a popular challenge rather than copying what’s already out there is key. Bring your personality, style, and creativity to make challenge videos that feel authentic to you and your brand.
TikTok Ads
One of the best ways to leverage trends on TikTok is through promoted hashtags and trends. The TikTok Ads platform allows businesses to promote their own branded hashtags or content alongside trending topics and challenges. This helps get a brand’s message in front of a highly engaged, relevant audience already participating in the trend.
TikTok’s Creative Center provides tools to discover rising trends across the platform. Businesses can select trending sounds, hashtags, effects and more to build creative ad campaigns around. TikTok’s algorithm will then show the promoted content alongside the trending organic videos.
Getting in early on rising trend opportunities allows brands to capitalize on the momentum before a trend peaks or declines. Partnering with influencers already participating in trends can also help amplify branded messages. Overall, savvy trend promotion is a key advertising strategy on TikTok for businesses aiming to capture attention.
Third-Party Tools
There are several third-party apps and sites that can help you discover trends on TikTok. Some popular options include:
TrendTok – This app analyzes hashtags and users to identify rising trends. It can show trending content globally or for specific locations. You can use TrendTok to find opportunities to make content around trending topics (Source: https://influencermarketinghub.com/free-tiktok-analytics-tools/).
Ritetag – Search for trending hashtags and sounds on TikTok with this tool. You can filter by categories and locations to find localized trends. Ritetag also provides insights into top videos, creators, and challenges (Source: https://ads.tiktok.com/business/creativecenter/inspiration/popular/pc/en).
Poprey – Analyze hashtag performance over time to identify rising trends. You can also search creators and get analytics on their content. Poprey provides data on trending sounds as well (Source: https://influencermarketinghub.com/free-tiktok-analytics-tools/).
Leveraging Trends for Growth
One of the best ways to get more views and followers on TikTok is by leveraging popular trends. Jumping on trending challenges, effects, sounds, and hashtags can help get your content seen by more people. TikTok’s algorithm often pushes trending content higher in rankings, so creating videos using current trends is an effective strategy.
When you participate in trending hashtag or effect challenges, your content will be discoverable by others browsing those tags. This makes it easy for new viewers who are interested in the trend to find your videos. Using popular sounds and riding viral waves is key for growth on TikTok.
You can also put your own unique spin on a trend to stand out. Add your own flair or creative twist while still aligning with the core of the trend. This helps your content feel fresh rather than just copying what’s already popular.
Researching what’s trending each day and consistently adapting your content to align with trends will lead to more views, likes, comments, shares, and new followers. Trends move quickly on TikTok, so staying up-to-date and capitalizing early is important.
According to experts, leveraging TikTok trends and challenges attracts bigger audiences and leads to viral growth. Focus on creating quality videos that engage with current trends to boost your reach (source).
