TikTok is a popular social media platform that has gained immense popularity since launching in 2016. It is known for its short form video content that ranges in length from 15 seconds to 3 minutes. TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users and is one of the most downloaded apps worldwide.
While it started out as a place to create short-form, entertaining videos, the diversity of content found on TikTok today is vast. From dance trends to cooking tutorials, small businesses to major brands, the variety of videos and content creators on TikTok is now far-reaching. The platform has become a place for creators to express themselves, share knowledge, connect with others, collaborate, and be entertained.
Dance Videos
Dance challenges and routine videos are some of the most popular types of content on TikTok. According to A Beginner’s Guide To Making TikTok Videos (https://wegotthiscovered.com/videos/a-beginners-guide-to-making-tiktok-videos/), dance videos that incorporate high energy movements and infectious rhythms tend to go viral on the platform.
There are countless examples of dance challenges that have exploded in popularity on TikTok and been attempted by millions of users. Some of the biggest viral dance trends include the Renegade, MONEY Dance, Savage Challenge, Chicken Wing Beat, and more. The dances are usually set to popular songs or remixed audio, and the simple repetitive moves allow people to easily participate.
Popular TikTok dance creators who have spearheaded viral challenges and built huge followings include Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, Bella Poarch, Haley Sharpe, and the D’Amelio Family. Many professional dancers and choreographers have also risen to fame on TikTok by showcasing their skills through dance videos.
Comedy/Skits
One of the most popular types of content on TikTok is comedy videos and skits. This makes sense given TikTok’s short format, which lends itself well to quick comedy bits. Some of the biggest TikTok stars got their start by posting funny sketches and jokes.
Sketch comedy and parody skits are a staple on the platform. Creators act out funny scenes ranging from parodying pop culture and movies, to mocking everyday life situations. According to TikTok’s own “comedy and trends” page, sketch comedy and skits are consistently popular and trending content.
Trending sounds are often used as the backdrop for comedy sketches. As certain sounds go viral on TikTok, creators make parody and comedy videos using the sounds as a way to put their own spin on them. For example, the “He’s a 10 but…” trend uses a popular sound clip for creators to make joking lists of ridiculous qualities.
Some of the most popular comedy creators known for their sketches include Khaby Lame, Spencer X, Brittany Broski, and others. Their funny and entertaining short skits and sketches are representative of the major presence comedy has on the platform.
Lipsyncing
Lipsyncing to songs and audio clips is one of the most popular types of content on TikTok. Users choose a short music clip or soundbite and make a video of themselves mouthing the words and dancing or acting out the lyrics. Lipsync videos make up a significant portion of top trending TikToks.
Some examples of popular lipsync trends on TikTok include the “M to the B” challenge featuring Millie B’s song “M to the B”, the “Renegade” dance challenge featuring K Camp’s song “Lottery”, and the “Say So” dance challenge featuring Doja Cat’s song of the same name. Creators add their own unique style and personality to these trending audios, resulting in countless entertaining lipsync variations.
The addictive nature of scrolling through endless lipsync videos showcases TikTok’s strength – making it easy for users to create and share short-form videos set to popular music and sounds. Lipsyncing continues to be a staple of the platform.
Life Hacks/DIY
One hugely popular category on TikTok is videos showing clever life hacks and fun DIY projects. The #LifeHack tag has over 149 billion views, and the Life Hacks channel curated by TikTok has 7.7 million followers. Users love watching short, engaging videos that teach them useful tips and tricks for everyday problems.
Popular life hacks include things like folding a fitted sheet quickly, preventing glasses from fogging while wearing a face mask, and packing a suitcase efficiently. DIY videos can show anything from crafts to home renovations – if it’s interesting to watch someone create something in under 60 seconds, it will likely go viral. TikTokers share genius kitchen hacks like making pancakes in a rice cooker, gadget hacks like repurposing phone chargers, and organizing hacks for perfectly arranging a closet.
The fun of these videos is learning a new skill or trick quickly through absorbing visuals. Viewers can then try it themselves and get satisfaction from solving an everyday nuisance. Videos use captions, text instructions, voiceovers or music to explain the hacks efficiently in the short format. The most popular life hacks and DIYs are those that seem deceptively simple but make viewers wonder “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Cooking/Food
Cooking and food content is hugely popular on TikTok, with recipe videos, cooking tips, food trends, and mukbang videos (videos of people eating large amounts of food) racking up millions of views. Some of the biggest food trends on TikTok in 2022 included recipes like baked feta pasta, “dirty soda” (soda with added flavors like lime, coconut, and cream), and butter boards (softened butter spread on a board and topped with herbs, nuts, honey, etc.) (Source 1).
TikTok’s short video format lends itself well to quick recipe tutorials, cooking hacks, and food trends. The app’s algorithm is very adept at picking up on trending sounds and hashtags, allowing food fads to spread rapidly on the platform. Mukbang creators like Bethany Gaskin (@bee_n_bee), who eats large meals on camera, have cultivated sizable followings on TikTok. Food is a universal interest that connects TikTok’s global community, though localized food trends also emerge within different countries and regions.
Source 1: https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-wildest-food-trends-on-tiktok-2022-12
Animals
One of the most popular types of content on TikTok is cute and funny animal videos. Pet influencers with accounts dedicated to their dogs, cats, and other animals are hugely popular on the platform. According to TikTok’s discover page, videos under #animaltiktoktrends and other animal-related hashtags have received over 100 million views.https://www.tiktok.com/discover/animal-tiktok-trends?lang=en Videos range from silly pet bloopers to adorable animal friendships and rescues. The wide variety of animal content helps it appeal to viewers of all ages who find the antics of pets entertaining and heartwarming.
Some of the biggest pet influencers on TikTok include pet parents who have gained millions of followers by posting daily videos of their dogs, cats, and other pets being cute and funny. Popular accounts like @mabelthemini, @tuckerbudzyn, and @lilothehusky showcase the playful personalities of their photogenic furry friends. Their ability to capture animals doing funny or adorable things on camera makes these accounts go viral regularly. Pet influencers are able to leverage their animals’ online popularity into brand sponsorships, merchandise sales, and even TV deals.
Challenges
TikTok is well-known for its viral video challenges that users create, share, and participate in. Some of the most popular challenges on the platform include:
The Silhouette Challenge – Users created creative videos using creative lighting and editing to pose in a silhouette that is revealed when the screen is filled with red light. This challenge took off in early 2021. (Source 1)
The Milk Crate Challenge – People attempted to walk up and down stacks of milk crates without falling. This dangerous stunt went viral in summer 2021.
The Invisible Box Challenge – Users pretended to step up onto an invisible box and walk in place. This optical illusion challenge was popular in late 2017.
The Git Up Challenge – People danced to the song “The Git Up” by Blanco Brown in choreographed, line-dancing style steps. This was a huge dance challenge in 2019.
The Flip the Switch Challenge – Pairs of TikTokers danced to Drake’s “Nonstop,” then switched clothes when the lyric “I just flipped a switch” played. This comedic challenge blew up in March 2020.
Challenges like these that catch on with the TikTok community spread widely across the platform, with millions of users posting their own take on viral challenges. Participating in popular challenges is a major part of the TikTok experience. (Source 2)
Fashion/Beauty
A major category of content on TikTok focuses on fashion, beauty, style, and personal care. This includes things like outfit ideas, makeup tutorials, hairstyling tips, and showcasing the latest trends. These videos often feature transitions showing creative before-and-after reveals. Popular beauty influencers like Addison Rae and Charli D’Amelio frequently post outfit inspiration videos. Step-by-step makeup tutorials demonstrating how to achieve popular looks and effects are also very common, like the “clean girl” and “e-girl” aesthetics. Some major beauty trends that went viral on TikTok includeDalgona coffee skin makeup, lip blushing, and bright under-eye concealer. Fashion and style advice tailored to different body types, style aesthetics, and budgets are popular as well. Videos reviewing beauty products and giving recommendations are also widespread. Overall, the platform has become a huge destination for discovering the latest trends in fashion, makeup, hairstyling, and cultivating personal style.
Sources:
https://www.purewow.com/beauty/tiktok-beauty-trends-for-millennials
Conclusion
In summary, the most popular types of content found on TikTok include dance videos, comedy/skits, lipsyncing, life hacks/DIY, cooking/food, animals, challenges, fashion/beauty, and more. TikTok trends and challenges are constantly changing, which contributes to the platform’s appeal. Users enjoy participating in the latest viral crazes and showing off their creativity. The wide diversity of content is one of TikTok’s biggest strengths. While other platforms may be dominated by one type of content, TikTok offers something for everyone. From funny videos to satisfy your sense of humor, to satisfying cooking tutorials, to adorable animal videos to brighten your day – there’s a never-ending stream of entertaining content to discover. This variety and the constant emergence of new trends is part of what keeps TikTok feeling fresh and engaging for users.
