TikTok is a short-form video sharing app that has exploded in popularity since launching in 2016. As of 2022, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users globally, making it one of the fastest growing social media platforms in history. In the US alone, TikTok has over 130 million monthly active users with over 30% being between the ages of 10-29 (1).
TikTok’s growth has been astronomical, with the number of global downloads growing from 54 million in January 2018 to more than 2 billion by April 2020 (2). Much of this growth is driven by TikTok’s algorithmic “For You” feed that delivers personalized video recommendations to each user. This creates an addictive, endless scrolling experience that keeps users coming back.
While TikTok is still behind platforms like Facebook and Instagram in terms total users, its meteoric rise among younger demographics has established it as a major force in social media and online culture. Brands and content creators are taking notice, flocking to the platform as an important new outlet for reaching Gen Z audiences.
Sources:
(1) https://backlinko.com/tiktok-users
(2) https://www.demandsage.com/tiktok-user-statistics/
Comedy/Memes
Comedy and memes are some of the most popular content on TikTok. Users create funny videos with the goal of going viral and users scroll through their For You page looking for videos that will make them laugh or relate to popular meme trends. According to TikTok’s own discovery page, some of the most popular meme trends include the “oh no” trend, the “I’m already tracer” trend, and POV videos.
Memes allow users to put their own spin on an existing joke or trend. As reported by Hot in Social Media, some of the most popular TikTok memes of 2023 so far include the corn kid meme, walk in and find your crush, and Heather. Comedy content thrives on TikTok because it offers users funny, entertaining videos to watch in short form.
Dance Challenges
Dance challenges have become one of the most popular types of content on TikTok. Users create videos of themselves dancing to the latest viral songs, often following specific choreography. Some of the biggest dance challenges on TikTok include:
The Renegade – Created by 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon, this hip hop dance took TikTok by storm in 2019. The fast, energetic moves are set to the song ‘Lottery’ by K Camp.
The M to the B Challenge – Inspired by Millie B’s song ‘M to the B’, this challenge features quick footwork and arm movements. It went hugely viral in 2020.
The Savage Challenge – Megan Thee Stallion’s song ‘Savage’ spawned a popular challenge in early 2020. It features hip rolls and other sassy dance moves.
The Woah Challenge – A laidback dance challenge set to the song ‘Woah’ by lilbaby. It focuses on smooth arm and hip movements.
Blinding Lights Challenge – Inspired by The Weeknd’s song ‘Blinding Lights’, this challenge incorporates rhythmic dance moves like twisting and strobe light hand motions.
The Git Up Challenge – Launched by Blanco Brown, this country-inspired line dance went viral in mid 2019. It features boot scootin’ style moves.
TikTok dances go viral fast, with new challenges emerging daily. Users are constantly on the lookout for the next big dance trend to show off their moves and entertain their followers.
Life Hacks/DIY
TikTok is filled with creative life hacks and DIY projects that provide useful tips for everyday problems. From making household chores easier to fixing fashion mishaps, these videos demonstrate quick solutions using common household items.
One popular account that exemplifies the life hacks and DIY niche is TikToker TheCasualCraftGuy. He posts videos testing out viral life hacks to see if they actually work in real life. In one video titled “I Tested Viral TIK TOK Life Hacks to see if they work” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piLRQGukXqc, he tries hacks like using a fork to squeeze out more toothpaste and sticking a potato in brown sugar to keep it from hardening.
Other top life hack accounts include 5-Minute Crafts and Troom Troom. Their quick DIY tutorials teach viewers how to make creative crafts and fix wardrobe malfunctions on the cheap. Popular videos cover topics like making lip gloss, fixing broken headphones, and turning old clothes into new fashions.
Overall, the life hacks and DIY niche is thriving on TikTok because it provides immediately useful tips that improve people’s everyday lives with just a few common household items. The short-form videos make learning new skills fun and accessible.
Cooking/Food
TikTok has become a huge platform for sharing cooking tips, recipes, and food trends. Some of the most popular food content on TikTok includes short recipe videos, “cook with me” videos where creators make meals in real time, food reviews and taste tests, and mukbang videos (people eating large amounts of food while interacting with their audience).
In 2020, some of the biggest food trends on TikTok included whipped coffee, pancake cereal, and baked feta pasta (https://www.delish.com/food/a35036824/food-trends-2021/). Recipe creators like @feelgoodfoodie attract millions of followers by sharing quick and easy recipes in 60 seconds or less. Mukbang creators like @nikocadoavocado post videos where they eat extraordinary amounts of food while discussing topics with viewers.
Food content continues to thrive on TikTok as creators find new ways to share cooking tips and food experiences. Short recipe videos that are easy to follow along with are especially popular. TikTok has become a major platform for food trends to go viral globally.
Animals
Cute and funny animal videos are hugely popular on TikTok. Pet owners love to show off their furry friends doing silly things or just being adorable. Some of the most popular animal accounts feature dogs, cats, and exotic pets like snakes and lizards. One of the most viral animal TikTok creators is @nala_cat, whose videos featuring a Siamese cat have amassed over 17 million followers.
Pets with unique looks or talents also tend to gain a big following on TikTok. For example, the account @misterbubz showcases a Pomeranian with over 4 million followers who howls, barks, and ‘sings’ along to music. Videos of unlikely animal friendships, like a dog cuddling with a duckling, often go viral as well. Overall, TikTok is a great platform for animal lovers to share cute, heartwarming, and hilarious videos of pets.
Music
One of the most popular TikTok content categories is music. Many TikTok users create videos showcasing their singing talents or lip syncing and dancing to trending songs. According to Tokchart, some of the most popular TikTok songs this week include “The King Khan & BBQ Show – Love You So” and “Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey – Monkeys Spinning Monkeys.” TikTok has become an important platform for musicians to promote their music, with many songs going viral thanks to TikTok dance challenges and memes.
TikTok allows users to add music to their videos, either using clips from popular songs or by creating and sharing their own original music. Short-form videos highlighting musical talents like singing, rapping, and instrumental performances are highly popular. Many musicians leverage TikTok to tease new song releases or promote existing songs through dance challenges and hashtags. According to TikTok’s Creative Center, music is one of the most viral content categories on the platform.
Fashion/Beauty
Fashion and beauty content is massively popular on TikTok, with beauty tutorials, style tips, clothing hauls, and makeup trends racking up millions of views. According to Starngage, some of the top fashion TikTok influencers in the US include Bretman Rock, Wisdom Kaye, and Tabitha Brown.[1] Globally, top names include Yuya, Avani Gregg, and Loren Gray.[2]
When it comes to beauty specifically, makeup tutorials showing users how to achieve the latest trends like fox eyes and e-girl makeup are incredibly popular. TikTok’s short video format lends itself well to quick beauty tips and product reviews. Fashion influencers like Wisdom Kaye and Jordyn Woods often showcase their latest outfits and style tips.
Some of the most viral beauty and fashion hashtags include #makeup, #beauty, #fashion, #style, #outfitoftheday, and #whatsinmybag. Top creators in this space like Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae, and James Charles have tens of millions of followers.
Lifestyle/Vlogs
Lifestyle and vlogging content is hugely popular on TikTok. Videos offering a peek into someone’s daily life, travels, family, and more garner millions of views. Some of the most popular types of lifestyle and vlog content on TikTok include:
Day in the life videos – These showcase a typical day for the creator, like their morning routine, work life, or daily activities. Popular TikTokers like Mark Adams share these videos to give followers a behind-the-scenes look.
Travel vlogs – Videos documenting trips and travels are very popular. TikTokers share tips, cool places to visit, foods to try, packing hacks, and travel diaries.
Family vlogs – Family-focused creators document their lives with kids and significant others. These offer a fun look into family dynamics.
College/school vlogs – For younger audiences, videos about college life, dorms, classes, and school activities are engaging. TikTokers share study tips, organization hacks, and college advice.
Overall, lifestyle and vlogging content allows TikTok users to virtually experience other people’s lives. The most popular videos are upbeat, positive, and tell a story through daily or travel activities.
Conclusion
In summary, we’ve explored some of the most viral and popular content categories on TikTok today. Comedy videos, dance challenges, life hacks, cooking tutorials, cute animals, music clips, fashion and beauty tips, and vlogs of everyday life are all extremely popular on the platform.
TikTok has proven itself a venue not just for entertainment, but for discovery, learning, and creativity. The app makes it easy for anyone to produce fun videos on almost any topic imaginable. This has enabled TikTok to become a platform where influential trends emerge and rapidly spread around the world. Its popularity and influence continue to grow.
