How can businesses find trends on TikTok?

November 26, 2024

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How can businesses find trends on TikTok?

For businesses looking to stay relevant and engaged with TikTok’s fast-moving trends, it’s crucial to actively monitor the platform for emerging content, sounds, and challenges that resonate with their target audience. Here are some effective strategies for finding and participating in trends on TikTok:

1. Explore the “Discover” Page

  • What it is: The Discover page (also called the For You Page, or FYP) is where TikTok showcases popular and trending content. This is one of the best places to spot current trends, viral hashtags, and popular challenges.
  • How to use it: Regularly check the Discover tab to identify trending sounds, hashtags, challenges, and other content types that could be relevant to your business. Pay attention to what’s trending within your niche or industry.
  • Tip: Focus on trends that align with your brand values, product offerings, or audience interests.

2. Follow Trending Hashtags

  • What it is: Hashtags on TikTok categorize videos and make it easy for users to find content related to specific topics or trends.
  • How to use it: Click on trending hashtags that align with your business goals or customer demographics to see how people are using them. This can help you discover popular topics and inspire your content.
  • Tip: Include trending hashtags in your videos to increase the chances of your content being seen by a broader audience.

3. Monitor Popular TikTok Creators and Influencers

  • What it is: Influencers on TikTok often lead trends by creating viral content or participating in challenges.
  • How to use it: Follow popular TikTok creators and influencers in your industry or niche. Observe the types of content they’re producing, the trends they’re participating in, and how they engage their audiences.
  • Tip: Consider collaborating with influencers to join trends and boost your brand’s credibility and visibility.

4. Use TikTok’s Search Function

  • What it is: The search bar on TikTok allows you to look up specific keywords, sounds, users, and hashtags.
  • How to use it: Use the search function to find videos and trends related to your business, products, or industry. Searching for keywords related to your niche can help you spot relevant challenges or trends.
  • Tip: Search for both broad terms (like “fashion”) and more niche-specific terms (like “sustainable fashion”) to find trends that speak to your audience.

5. Leverage TikTok’s Trending Sounds

  • What it is: Sounds (including songs, dialogues, and soundbites) are a core element of TikTok trends.
  • How to use it: Watch for trending audio clips that are gaining traction. Use the audio in your own videos to participate in trends and challenge cycles.
  • Tip: Use TikTok’s music library to identify trending songs or sounds that align with your brand or industry.

6. Follow TikTok’s Trend Reports

  • What it is: TikTok occasionally publishes Trend Reports or TikTok Insights, which highlight trending topics, popular content, and user behavior on the platform.
  • How to use it: Stay updated by reviewing TikTok’s published reports to better understand emerging trends, consumer behaviors, and viral content that might affect your industry.
  • Tip: Leverage these insights to plan your content strategy and stay ahead of upcoming trends.

7. Watch Your Competitors

  • What it is: Observing what your competitors are doing on TikTok can provide insights into what is trending within your industry or niche.
  • How to use it: Regularly check your competitors’ TikTok profiles to see how they’re engaging with trends. This can help you identify patterns and trends they’re using successfully.
  • Tip: Don’t just copy your competitors. Use their approach to inspire your own creative take on the trend.

8. Join TikTok Creator Communities

  • What it is: TikTok has creator groups and communities where users share tips, ideas, and trends.
  • How to use it: Join groups or forums where TikTok creators and marketers discuss what’s trending on the platform. Being part of a community can help you stay informed on new trends and challenges.
  • Tip: Engage with other creators in your industry to exchange ideas or collaborate on trending content.

9. Use TikTok Analytics

  • What it is: TikTok’s built-in analytics tool provides insights into how your videos are performing and the kinds of content your audience is engaging with.
  • How to use it: Monitor the performance of your videos and see which ones are trending or gaining traction. If a specific hashtag, challenge, or sound is bringing more engagement, that can be an indicator of an emerging trend.
  • Tip: Pay attention to the types of content that perform well on your profile and look for broader trends within that data.

10. Participate in TikTok Trends Early

  • What it is: Early participation in a new trend can boost the likelihood that your content gets more exposure as it grows.
  • How to use it: As soon as you spot a potential trend, get involved quickly by creating content around it. This can give you an edge by positioning your brand as an early adopter.
  • Tip: Trends evolve fast, so being one of the first to participate can help you stand out and attract more attention.

Additional Tips for Finding Trends:

  • Keep an Eye on TikTok Ads: TikTok ads sometimes promote new trends or challenges. You can use these ads as a way to spot what’s currently being pushed on the platform.
  • Use Trend Aggregator Tools: Some websites and apps track TikTok trends across different platforms. Tools like TrendTok or Trendsmap can help you stay updated on viral content.
  • Watch Other Social Media Platforms: Trends on TikTok often spill over into other social media platforms, such as Instagram and Twitter. Watching how trends evolve on these platforms can give you a heads-up on TikTok trends.

Conclusion:

Businesses can find trends on TikTok by actively engaging with the platform’s features, following popular creators, monitoring hashtags, using TikTok’s search and analytics functions, and staying updated with trend reports. By leveraging these strategies, businesses can quickly identify emerging trends and participate in them in a way that resonates with their target audience. The key is to act quickly and creatively, ensuring your content feels authentic and aligned with the trend.

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