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How can brands identify TikTok trends early?
Identifying TikTok trends early can give brands a significant advantage in creating content that resonates with users while a trend is still gaining momentum. Here are some strategies brands can use to spot trends early on TikTok:
1. Monitor the Discover Tab
- Explore Trending Hashtags and Sounds: TikTok’s Discover tab is where emerging trends often show up. By regularly monitoring this section, brands can see which hashtags, challenges, or sounds are beginning to gain traction. Early identification of these trends can provide an opportunity for timely engagement.
- Localized Trends: Keep an eye on regional trends in addition to global ones. Some trends may be more prominent in specific locations, and acting early can help brands tailor their content to those regional audiences.
2. Use TikTok Analytics Tools
- TikTok Pro Account Analytics: Brands with TikTok Pro accounts can access analytics on their own content. This data shows which hashtags or trends are performing well in a brand’s videos and can give insights into emerging trends.
- Third-Party Analytics Platforms: Tools like TrendTok, Pentos, Hootsuite, and Sprout Social track TikTok trends, hashtags, and popular content in real-time. They can help identify patterns early, such as which sounds, challenges, or formats are gaining traction before they go mainstream.
3. Follow Popular Creators and Influencers
- Creator Insights: Many trends on TikTok originate from popular influencers or creators. By following influential TikTokers, brands can get an early look at the trends they are engaging with. Influencers often drive new trends, so their content can serve as a precursor to larger movements.
- Micro-Influencers: Don’t just focus on major influencers. Micro-influencers often contribute to niche trends that can grow in popularity. Following a variety of influencers can give brands a broader perspective on emerging trends.
4. Track TikTok’s Trending Sounds
- Popular Sounds: Sounds and music tracks are a huge part of TikTok trends. Brands can use tools like Tokboard or ViralMusic to track trending sounds and songs before they go viral.
- Sound-Based Trends: Many trends start with a particular song or audio clip being used in creative ways. Identifying these early gives brands the chance to jump on a trend as it begins to build momentum.
5. Engage with the TikTok Community
- Test and Engage: By actively posting content, brands can monitor which trends they are seeing from their followers and from content that’s gaining interaction in their niche. Engaging with the TikTok community and observing their behaviors will give insight into what types of content are beginning to catch on.
- Comments and Conversations: Pay attention to the conversations in video comments and TikTok’s Reply to Comments feature. Users often discuss trends before they fully hit the mainstream.
6. Use Social Listening Tools
- Track Social Mentions: Tools like Brandwatch, Mention, and BuzzSumo can help track what’s being talked about on TikTok across different content creators and hashtags. Social listening can uncover emerging trends in real time.
- Hashtag and Keyword Monitoring: Set up alerts to track mentions of specific keywords or hashtags. This can help identify when certain topics, challenges, or themes start gaining popularity across TikTok.
7. Leverage Trendspotting Platforms
- Trend Agencies: Agencies and platforms such as Trendwatching, Trends.co, and Exploding Topics monitor trends across social media platforms, including TikTok. These can give brands a heads-up on broader, upcoming trends that are relevant to their industry or audience.
- Content Trend Reports: Some services offer trend reports, forecasting the next big thing on TikTok. By subscribing to these services, brands can stay ahead of the curve.
8. Keep an Eye on Viral Content in Other Platforms
- Cross-Platform Trends: Trends on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube can often cross over to TikTok. If a meme, challenge, or sound is going viral elsewhere, it may soon appear on TikTok as well. Tracking viral content across social media helps spot trends early.
- Cultural and News Trends: Pay attention to broader cultural or news events, as TikTok often reacts quickly to viral moments from the news, TV shows, movies, or even viral moments on other platforms.
9. Monitor Competitor and Industry Trends
- Competitor Analysis: Watching what competitors and other brands are doing on TikTok can help identify emerging trends in your industry. If several brands in your space begin participating in a challenge or using a certain hashtag, it could indicate a rising trend.
- Niche Trends: Look at the sub-genres and niche communities on TikTok. Trends can emerge in specific verticals, such as beauty, fashion, fitness, or technology, and brands within these spaces can spot trends early by staying attuned to their industry.
10. Join or Create Early Challenges
- Early Participation: When a challenge or hashtag begins gaining traction, participate as soon as possible. TikTok users love fresh, engaging content, and being an early participant can help you be part of the trend before it blows up.
- Create Your Own Challenge: If you identify a potential trend before others do, creating a branded challenge or hashtag can help your brand become the center of that trend.
By using these strategies, brands can identify TikTok trends early, giving them the opportunity to create relevant and timely content that resonates with users and helps them stay ahead of the competition.
