TikTok trends move fast — we get it.

You want to hop on trends before they’re over, but who has time to scroll for hours? That’s where this guide comes in. 

Every month, we’re rounding up our favourite TikTok trends: the sounds, hooks, and concepts that are going viral right now. We’ll break down the formats, show you examples, and give you practical ways to adapt them to your niche.

Let’s get into this month’s biggest TikTok trends:

May TikTok trends

The “Millennial Marketing Team Vs gen z social team” trend

Social media teams from Applebee’s, Keurig, Dr. Pepper, and basically every other major brand on the market are poking fun at themselves with this self-aware, slightly meta trend. The format compares how millennials and Gen Z approach internet culture and brand marketing, usually by presenting th two styles side by side.

Typically, the post is split into two columns separated by a line: “Millennial Marketing Team” on the left and “gen z social team” on the right, already signaling the tonal difference through capitalisation alone.

Both sides usually feature the same image, but the captions take dramatically different approaches. The millennial side tends to be longer, more formal, and slightly too enthusiastic, often using classic 2010s internet-era language like “doggo” or “adulting.” The Gen Z side, meanwhile, keeps things minimal: one dry, hyper-online remark like “it’s giving…” or “not me eating three taquitos…” surrounded by ironic emojis. 

Both styles are trying to accomplish the same thing, just through completely different internet dialects. And if your brand sits somewhere between the two? Even better. The format lets you go for both at once. Very “have your cake and eat it too,” king.

How to use this trend

Create a blank screen (white is the most popular choice, though some brands use themed or colourful backgrounds). Add a vertical line down the middle, labeling one side “Millennial Marketing Team” or “Millennial PR Team” and the other “gen z social team.”

Next, place the same image on both sides, usually a product photo or promotional image. Keep the left side relatively clean and straightforward, while the Gen Z side often adds extra emojis, stickers.

Then write the captions in each generation’s stereotypical internet voice. For the millennial side, lean into over-explaining. The copy should be polished, a little too long, and hovering somewhere between corporate marketing language and 2014 internet humor. Petco’s version is a good example: “For the pet parent who wants the very best for their fur babies. At Petco, you’ll find thoughtfully curated products, trusted nutrition, and expert-backed care to support every stage of their life. Your fur babies deserve quality you can feel good about. The doggos are going to love it.” 

Meanwhile, the Gen Z side should be extremely short, hyper-online, and almost aggressively casual. There should not be a capital letter in sight, and as little punctuation as you can get away with without sacrificing legibility. Petco’s Gen Z caption simply reads: “be so fr they need another toy”

Generally, this is posted as a still image or part of a carousel.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Advertise your product in two ways (brands can show their actual benefits on the left side, while making a tongue-in-cheek joke on the right.)
• Demonstrate your creativity with mock applications (reimagine how the format would work across different products or references, e.g., BookTok creators turning viral novels into split-screen “millennial vs Gen Z” marketing breakdowns in a carousel.)
• Give it some movement (take inspiration from examples that add motion to a typically still format.)

The “But my name is…so that’s okay” trend

All this takes is a few seconds of B-roll, plus a joke that’s halfway already written for you. In this trend, users post a clip with a text overlay in the format: “When they say [BLANK], but my name is [BLANK] so I ignore it.”

The joke is that the first blank — the “name” they keep yelling at you — is usually a cleverly mashed-together phrase that mirrors the situation. For example: “when my friends say ‘pleasedontirishgoodbyetonight’, but my name is nina so I’m already home <3” or “when everyone’s yelling ‘STOPSPENDINGMONEYONSTARBUCKS’ but my name is addison so it’s ok.”

The fake name functions as a built-in excuse. At heart, this joke says: I hear what you’re yelling at me, and I’m going to ignore it.

How to use this trend 

From an editing perspective, this trend is almost too easy. You just grab a short piece of relevant B-roll (ideally something that connects to the joke, but it can be as simple as you sipping coffee), add a text overlay, and pair it with the trending sound for discoverability.

The real work is figuring out the punchline. For the “name,” think about phrases people say to you that you consistently ignore or opt out of. This can be something specific to you or your brand (e.g. a hockey account joking “when they’re yelling ‘just use the door,’ but my name is Quinn Hughes, so it’s okay” over footage of Quinn Hughes climbing over the rink instead), which reinforces a recognisable identity. Or it can go in the opposite direction: pick a universal instruction people are all guilty of ignoring to lean into relatability. The format stays consistent, but different users play around with the wording, which makes it adaptable across niches.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Make a joke your audience will relate to (for designers: “when they’re yelling ‘stopredoingthebrief,’ but my name is [BLANK] so it’s okay.”)
• Build your account’s specific identity (“when someone’s saying ‘swimmingistoocompetitive’ but we’re literally named Slow Paced Swim League so that’s okay.”)
• Position your product as the solution (“when they’re yelling ‘let’sgrabanUber,’ but I have an [e-bike/scooter/service], so I’m already on my way.”)

The “balance your expenses” trend

Creators are really into playful misinterpretations of advice right now. Like the “but my name is…” trend, this format takes a common phrase (“you should balance your expenses”) and deliberately misunderstands it to justify continued spending.

Instead of opening a spreadsheet, creators literally balance their “expenses” on their bodies. Usually, these expenses are indulgences: handbags, skincare, coffees, gadgets, or any other product that might be draining their bank accounts, but are simply too fun to give up.

How to use this trend

First, decide what your “expense” is going to be. Products that physically balance well on the human body (think: handbags, mugs, books, handcrafted keychains) are the easiest fit. If your brand doesn’t sell a naturally balance-able object, use related items instead, like branded packaging or merch.

If you’re posting as an individual creator, think about the thing you always end up spending money on, like camera lenses, sneakers, iced coffees, or craft supplies. Choose something that relates to the niche that your audience already associates with you.

Next, film a few clips balancing the object in different ways. Most creators keep the poses relatively simple: balancing something on an outstretched arm, a raised foot. This general pose sequence is popular and pretty accessible, and if you’re balancing a delicate object, there are some even safer options that still convey the joke without any feats of athleticism. If you can do handstands or more advanced balancing tricks, then that’s better still — those clips tend to stand out more in the feed.

Once you have enough footage, edit it into a short video (around 9 seconds works well). Add the text overlay: “‘You should balance your expenses’” in quotes as though someone is giving you advice, then pair it with the trending audio for better reach.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Balance your product or art (balance your handmade ceramics while (carefully!) posing, or add a branded mug into your yoga routine.)
• Share the thing you can’t stop buying (connect with your gaming community by testing just how many controllers you can stack on your body.)
• Punch up the visuals with generative video (use AI tools to create over-the-top balancing scenarios that feel more dynamic.)

The “I hope I don’t ruin it” trend

Analogue art has been making a comeback this year, and with it comes a fear every artist knows well: the moment you commit to adding colour, shading, or detail to a sketch that’s already looking good, there’s no hiding a regretted layer. This trend plays on that age-old anxiety, but with a twist: the colour looks awesome.

Creators film a sketch in progress and set it to an audio remixing PinkPantheress’s Illegal. Over the first part of the video, they overlay the text “I hope I don’t ruin this by colouring it in,” adjusting the wording to fit whatever change they’re about to make. When the phone rings in the song, the text shifts to “Wait, who’s calling??” and as the voice answers “Hello,” the video cuts to the finished piece, revealing that the colour (or shading, or inking) made it even better than before.

How to use this trend

Film two versions of your artwork: your line drawing or sketch, and the finished piece after you’ve added colour or shading (or whatever other edit you’re documenting). The before-and-after comparison is the heart of the video.

Cut the clips together in your editing app of choice, timing the reveal to land exactly on “Hello” in the audio. Add the text overlays to match the beats: your version of “I hope I don’t ruin this” over the work-in-progress, and “Wait, who’s calling??” as the phone rings.

The reveal lands best when the finished piece is legitimately impressive, so save this one for work you’re extra proud of.

Content angles to explore

• Document your artistic process (the straightforward take is a great way to showcase your before-and-after results.)
• Use this trend for other creative processes (bakers can show a cake before and after fondant work; woodworkers can reveal a piece before and after staining.)
• Flip the trend (show a piece where adding colour didn’t work great, or where you had to try a few rounds before it clicked.)

The “My top 5 horror movies” trend

This trend is another extremely low-lift format, which might be why it’s so viral online right now. Creators use a single 6–9 second clip of B-roll (usually with no cuts or transitions) and overlay text listing their “My top 5 horror movies.”

The “horror movies” generally refer to everyday anxieties that most people are only too familiar with (“1. Low battery while leaving the house 2. Replying all by accident”). Generally speaking, the more niche and specific the fears are, the better the joke lands. Some creators also play with the format by repeating the same “horror movie” five times, or listing contradictions like: “1. Having a job. 2. Not having a job.”

This format doesn’t have to be generalised relatable content. Many creators theme their lists around a particular profession or identity, which makes the format adaptable for online communities. A version like “My Top 5 Horror Movies as a Dentist” might include horrors such as “Can’t you just fill it?” or “I don’t want x-rays,” giving audiences an inside look at the tiny recurring nightmares of the job.

How to do this trend

Grab a short piece of B-roll, ideally featuring you (or someone else) in a setting that relates to the joke. If you’re tailoring the trend to a niche, make the environment visually reinforce it: scrubs for nursing jokes, a café for hospitality humour, and so on.

The video itself doesn’t need much editing. In most versions, the footage simply plays while the text overlay stays the central focus.

Next, write your “Top 5 horror movies” list directly on screen. Keep the phrasing short and readable, choosing a handful of fears you know your audience will relate to. Add this Katy Perry trending audio for discoverability and a fun throwback vibe.

Content angles to explore

• Connect with your professional community (for animators: “1. The client wants ‘one tiny change.’ 2. ‘Can we make it pop more?’”)
• Share relatable humour (“1. ‘We only have Pepsi products’ 2. The group chat goes quiet after my reply.”)
• Weigh in on your niche’s debates (for fitness accounts: “1. Protein pop-tarts are basically fuel. 2. Lifting in running shoes is fine. 3. ‘You don’t need rest days.’”)

April TikTok trends

The AirPod switch trend

One of April’s biggest trends, this format is built on a simple mix-up. Two people bump into each other on the street, drop their AirPods, and accidentally pick up the other person’s pair. As they walk away, they start listening and quickly realise something’s off.

Each person reacts to the other’s music, often surprised (or horrified) by the contrast. They look back at the person whose AirPods they accidentally took, taking in their outfit and reassessing them. Most videos add a visual layer by panning to show each person’s outfit or overall vibe, reinforcing the contrast. The result is a quick, character-driven moment that suggests you can tell a lot about someone from what they’re listening to.

How to use this trend

Grab two participants and film this as a short interaction. For this trend, we’ll cover filming and editing together since they’re pretty intertwined.

Start with the collision: film the two people bumping into each other and dropping their AirPods. No music is playing yet. Cut to a quick overhead shot of the AirPods on the ground, with both people reaching down and picking them up. This is the moment that visually signals the switch.

Next, focus on Participant A. As they put the AirPods in, start the music. Let their reaction play out, then cut or pan to Participant B, the implied source of the playlist, highlighting their outfit, or overall vibe. 

Repeat the same sequence in reverse: Participant B puts in the AirPods, reacts to a different song, and the camera shifts to show Participant A’s vibe. This trend runs on contrast: between the people, their aesthetics, and their music taste. Maybe Person A is a Pilates girl while Person B is a gym rat. Choose your people and your music accordingly.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Contrast a brand’s range (winter line collides with new summer drops, minimalist encounters bold styles.)
• Share your sound (musicians and bands can show the range of their catalogue through slow song vs. pump-up track.) 
• Highlight customer preferences (the iced latte order meets the matcha order, sweet breakfast meets savoury.)

The creative to-do list trend

Is there anything more satisfying than checking off every item on your to-do list? Maybe not, but this trending format comes close.

To-do lists have always done well on TikTok. There’s something soothing about watching someone else be productive, and people are genuinely curious about how different lives unfold day to day — what it looks like to be a stay-at-home parent juggling childcare and freelance design work, or a med student balancing lectures with marathon training. 

In this trend, instead of posting their list as static text with bullet points, creators visually tick off each item on screen, overlaying the Apple Notes interface into a video clip. Because it mirrors the actual Notes interface, it taps into that familiar little dopamine hit iPhone users get every time they check something off, making it extra satisfying to watch.

How to use this trend 

This is going to involve a little editing, but nothing too painful. Start by filming yourself with your phone in hand, making sure both your hands and your face are visible against a clear background. Swipe through the air with one finger as if you’re opening an app, then mime tapping three times vertically down the screen (or more if you’re planning more items) like you’re checking off items on an Apple to-do list.

Next, open your actual Notes app. If you’re planning to overlay the list against a light background in your video, keep your phone on default settings. If it’ll be against a dark background, switch your phone to dark mode first so the text is legible. Create a new note titled “to-do list” (or choose a creative title), switch the bullet style to the checkable circle format, and list your items. Screenshot the note and crop it tightly so it’s just the title and bullet points, with no extra iPhone interface elements.

In CapCut’s editing interface, add the screenshot as an overlay layer, extending it to begin as soon as you swipe up in your video. At this point, you’ll have a blocky rectangle covering your video, so click “splice” and select “burn” to make the white background transparent (or select “lighten” to make a dark background transparent), leaving just the text and circles visible. Resize the overlay to your preferred size and position it where you want it on screen.

Now comes the animation: as your hand moves up the screen in the video as you “swipe” your list open, add keyframes to make the to-do list move upward in sync with your finger, so it looks as though you’ve opened it on your screen. Position it so that your mimed vertical “clicks” from earlier tap the buttons. When your finger reaches each circle, go to stickers, search for a checkmark, and place it over the corresponding item at that exact moment in the video. Don’t stress if your finger doesn’t perfectly align with each tap. Viewers understand the concept, and if you watch popular examples closely, many don’t hit the mark exactly either.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Straightforward to-do lists (it’s a classic for a reason — run through a typical day, highlighting the tasks people don’t see, like responding to editor notes or writing client briefs.)
• Teach your viewer how to do something (a recipe, a packing list, a runner’s stretch routine.)
• Playful or humorous takes (list absurdly specific or relatable tasks: “convince myself it’s fine to have toast for dinner,” “avoid doom-scrolling (failed).”)

The “I’m an artist” trend

This trend is built around a specific audio exchange. It opens with a woman’s voice saying, “I’m an artist,” followed by a man asking, “Oh really? What kind of art?”

At this point, creators hint at their work without fully revealing it. Maybe you see their face or their workspace. It plays into a familiar, romanticised trope: the mysterious artist with a sketchbook, straight out of a rom-com. 

Then the music kicks in, and the reveal lands. The creator turns the canvas around, lifts the piece into frame, or cuts to the finished work.

How to use this trend

Start by filming something that hints at your art without showing the final result: washing brushes, a close-up of your editing screen as you scroll through layers, or even just a shot of you, the artist, walking through your workspace. Next, film your art reveal, panning over the different details. Visual work obviously works best in this format, but what “art” specifically means is flexible. It can be more traditional interpretations, like painting or ceramics, but it could also refer to hair styling, nail painting, cupcake baking, tattooing, or any craft you want to share. 

In editing, add the trending audio, and time your reveal to the moment the music begins. When it hits, show your art in full. From there, it’s up to you: some creators overlay the audio as text, some lip-sync along to the dialogue, but you don’t have to do either.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Redefine what “art” means for your brand (reveal non-traditional “art” forms like latte-making, coding, or packaging design.)
• Meet the artist (use the build-up to introduce yourself and share the human side of your work.)
• Showcase your process (use the reveal to highlight the skill behind what you do.)

The “No Screen” trend

People want to get off their screens. This might sound counterintuitive for a TikTok trend, but stick with us here. After years of constant connectivity, there’s a growing appetite for slower, offline experiences: going outside, connecting in person, doomscrolling less, and returning to analogue hobbies. This trend taps into that cultural shift by celebrating what life looks like away from a screen. This is less a single fixed format and more a broader creative direction. Some creators take on screen-free challenges, while others lean into an “analogue” aesthetic, swapping out their digital tools or recreating modern processes in low-tech ways.

How to use this trend

Option 1: Document a screen-free day
A common format is “No Scroll Sunday,” where creators film a day without their phones. This might include playing Wordle on paper with friends, going for an ocean swim, or finally reading the book that’s been sitting on the nightstand. Captured on film cameras or camcorders, of course. While this format is popular with lifestyle creators, it works across niches: reading accounts, parenting content, or travel creators can adapt it to their audience.

Option 2: Recreate digital actions in real life
Another approach is to take something you normally do digitally and attempt it offline. That could mean designing without software, making a comic by hand instead of using Photoshop, or creating sound effects with physical objects. It will probably end up slower and slightly imperfect. But that rough, human quality is exactly the point. It stands out in a sea of polished digital content and reinforces the appeal of slowing down.

Content angles to explore:

• Screen-free challenges (if you typically create work digitally, show off your creativity with analogue solutions, like shaking a jar of beans for a sound effect, or building typography using kitchen supplies.)
• Show how your brand supports scroll-free Sundays (position your product as something that fits into offline time, e.g., gardening kits that encourage your viewers to literally touch grass.)
• Adopt an analogue aesthetic (use film photography, camcorders, or deliberately low-tech visuals not just for challenges, but as an ongoing creative direction)

The landscape split-screen trend

This trend is exactly what it sounds like: a reel made up of two landscape videos stacked in a vertical split screen. The clips can be in direct conversation with each other (one perspective on top, another on the bottom) or simply paired for a more cinematic feel, reminiscent of music-video cutaways. All it really requires is two video layers, though some creators push it further with three or four stacked clips.

How to do this trend

Start by choosing your footage. Some creators have the clips mirror each other in some way (a ballet recital from childhood on top, a recent dance video on bottom), but they don’t have to have an explicit connection. As long as there’s a shared visual mood, it works.

In CapCut, upload the videos you want to use. Each clip should be at least as long as your intended final video, since they’ll all play simultaneously. Then tap Collage, choose the 9:16 frame, and select the layout with stacked horizontal layers.

Once your clips are in place, adjust the framing of each one so the most important parts stay visible. From there, you can add text, transitions, or music to fit your brand’s style.

If you’re working with AI-generated footage, tools like Envato’s Reframe can make your life easier by adjusting the aspect ratio to fit the split-screen layout without regenerating entire clips.

Content angles to explore

• Show multiple views simultaneously (the back and front of a house after renovation, etc.)
• Compare and contrast (old vs. new, expectation vs. reality, an empty studio vs. a packed workout class.)
• Elevate your aesthetic B-roll (pair complementary clips, like a footage of morning coffee over a clip of hands journaling.)

March TikTok trends

The “This who you’re asking to…” baby picture trend

Text your mum; we’re digging out the baby photos. In this trend, creators share pictures of themselves when they were little, with descriptions like “This is who you’re asking to create an event deck,” or “This is who grows your social engagement tenfold.” The most common format features a video that flips through childhood photos of different team members in an organisation as a text overlay describes each person’s current role or responsibility. 

You can think of this trend as an evolution of the 2022 meme where people shared photos of baby animals with the caption, “This is me. When you’re mean to me, this is who you’re being mean to.” But instead of just being cute, this version is personalised to the creator and highlights the specific value they bring to their work. 

How to use this trend 

The first step is, of course, to track down those photos. These are supposed to be funny, so the more spaghetti on your face, the better. If you’re doing this trend with a team, get everyone else to do the same.

Decide what the caption for each photo should be. You can keep it literal with job titles (i.e. “This is who you’re asking to be editor-in-chief,” if you’re editor-in-chief), or use the space to show off the contributions you bring to the table (“This is who makes your events run so smoothly you don’t even notice the chaos backstage”). 

Compile the photos in CapCut or your editing app of choice. Set each photo to display with its corresponding text overlay for about two seconds before switching to the next photo/text pair. You can also do a carousel if you don’t want to mess with editing. There isn’t a specific sound creators stick to, so choose whatever trending audio calls out to you. If you’re not in the mood to mess around with caption timing, this trend works just as well as a photo carousel.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Share the human side of your team (show childhood photos of each team member paired with their current role: “This is who manages your accounts,” “This is who you’re trusting to colour your hair,” building connection with your brand’s community.)
• Highlight the reality of solo entrepreneurship (cycle through old photos of yourself at different ages, each representing a different hat you wear — content creator, customer service, accountant — to share the full scope of running a one-person operation.)
• Showcase the breadth of what you offer (pair each baby photo with a different responsibility your business handles, highlighting under-the-radar value adds. Maybe everyone thinks of you as just a caterer, but “This is who sources sustainable ingredients,” “This is who designs custom menus,” “This is who coordinates with your venue staff.” Show people everything they’re actually getting.)

The “Maybe in another life” trend

Good news. We’re coming to you with another trend that will help keep your content schedule running when you have no time to learn a dance or track down five photos of yourself in diapers. In this format, creators simply pick a short clip of aspirational b-roll (riding motorcycles, zip-lining over the jungle, or even just panning the camera around a beautiful natural setting). Then, they add the text overlay “Maybe in another life” (in quotes, as if someone else is suggesting they wait), followed by their response: No, this one.

This trend celebrates saying yes to adventure, choosing the life you want now rather than waiting for some hypothetical future. Also, it’s really, really easy.

How to use this trend

Go to your camera roll and look for a 5–7-second clip that, in some way, encapsulates the idea of seizing the day: the moment you jumped off a tyre swing into water, filmed from a lookout point in a new city, or carved down the slopes on skis. It doesn’t need to be filmed just for this; you can grab a snippet from a longer recording. Tailor the footage to your niche, of course: fitness accounts might show themselves crossing a race finish line, entrepreneurial accounts might capture themselves signing a lease on their first storefront.

Then, simply add the text over the video. Because this format is short, the text plays across the entire clip; there’s no fancy transition or reveal. On the top line, you’ll write “‘Maybe in another life’” with “No, this one” just below. Use this audio for discoverability.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Showcase moments of freedom or adventure (share your early morning surf sessions or spontaneous weekend trips.)
• Celebrate the unconventional career path you chose (show yourself doing the work people told you was risky, like running a creative business or working remote as you travel full-time.)
• Highlight how your brand enables “saying yes” life for viewers (travel companies showing clients exploring dream destinations, adventure gear brands capturing people mid-hike. Position your product or service as the tool that makes “this life” possible.)

The fake green screen trend

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, you’ve definitely seen green screen reaction videos. A creator positions themselves in front of pre-recorded footage and offers commentary on a football play or a Met Gala look. Viewers know the format inside and out — which is exactly why they’re not prepared for the moment the “background video” breaks the fourth wall and responds.

This trend subverts expectations by creating a fake green screen effect. By positioning their face in the bottom corner of the frame, the creator recreates the visual language of a green screen reaction video, but they’re actually in the real setting the whole time, filming someone in the same room.

Typically, the creator narrates the action behind them as if it were a distant video clip, often speaking in third person while critiquing what’s happening. They might comment on a barista who’s stepped away from the register or point out that the person doing dishes in the background is demonstrating exactly how not to organise a kitchen. The commentary continues until the person being “reviewed” notices what’s happening, looks up, and breaks the illusion by throwing a napkin, waving at the camera, or playfully grabbing the phone.

How to use this trend

First, you’ll need a willing participant (or someone you’re very comfortable pranking). Position yourself in the bottom corner of the frame so it looks like an ordinary green screen composition. Your face should take up roughly a quarter of the screen. You can enhance the effect by holding a small microphone or using short-range lighting that’s aimed at just you, which adds to the illusion you’re in a different environment. Frame the shot so the person behind you is clearly visible and active in the background, doing something you can comment on.

Start filming and begin your commentary as if you’re reacting to pre-recorded footage. Talk about them in third person or in a way that assumes they can’t hear you (use phrases like, “This is a perfect example of…”) Keep going until they react and confront you with mock indignation. At this point, they should do something that physically proves you’re in the same space, like playfully wrestling you for the phone.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Showcase a problem-solving product (the foregrounded creator critiques a worker for being on her phone, but the background character shows she’s actually using a convenient expense-tracking app to handle receipts in real-time.)
• Make tutorials more engaging (narrate a skill being performed behind you as if you’re a detached observer, then have the person actually doing it break character to add tips.)
• Share workplace humour with colleagues (film a coworker doing their job while you “analyse” their technique, showcasing the team’s playful dynamic and humanising the workplace.)

The “Punch” baby monkey trend

The internet has fallen in love with Punch, a baby monkey in Japan who, after being rejected by his mother, carries around a stuffed orangutan from IKEA everywhere he goes. Overnight, the little guy became a global sensation: visitors to the zoo doubled, the hashtag #HangInTherePunch went viral, and Google added a search animation of hearts to Punch-related queries.

Naturally, this frenzy has inspired a wave of Punch-related memes. There isn’t a unified format that all users follow, but creators around the world incorporate familiar Punch imagery in some way to create jokes or relatable content. For example, someone might take a photo of Punch dragging his orangutan plushie on the ground behind him, labelling Punch “pre-workout” and the stuffed animal “me” (the joke being that pre-workout is the only thing that can drag you to the gym). Other creators use AI image generators to dream up new scenarios like Punch’s mom calling now that he’s famous or situations that riff on his backstory in creative ways.

How to use this trend

The simplest approach is to find existing Punch images and overlay them with text that turns the moment into a relatable metaphor. Look for scenes that visually represent common dynamics: Punch clinging to his orangutan (Punch is “me,” the orangutan is “my one good hoodie”), Punch dragging his orangutan along (Punch is “me,” the orangutan is “my responsibilities”), or Punch wandering alone (Punch is “me,” the situation is “starting over”).

Content angles to explore:

• Use Punch images as brand metaphors (Punch is “me,” the orangutan is “the cashmere sweater I got for under $100 because this direct-to-consumer company cuts out the middleman.”)
• Build on shared internet jokes (“Me training to fight the monkeys bullying Punch.”)
• Adapt Punch imagery to react to trending moments or cultural events (Punch clinging to his orangutan during tax season.)

The clap transition trend

Finally, a dance trend where you don’t have to actually dance well — each move is only visible for half a second before the next clap covers it. The whole thing runs on Calabria 2007, the beat behind Pitbull’s The Anthem.

Creators film someone dancing while a pair of POV hands clap to the beat in the foreground. Because the hands are positioned close to the camera, they cover the dancer each time they come together for a clap. When the hands open again, something has changed: a different person is dancing, the dancer has switched outfits, or their hairstyle has completely transformed.

How to do this trend

First, gather your dancer(s). You’ll either want a few different people or the same person in different looks. Then record clips of them dancing, making sure the camera positioning stays consistent and the subject remains the same distance from the lens. A tripod is especially useful here since you need your hands free to clap in front of the camera while each person dances.

As they dance, position your hands in the foreground and clap on beat to the audio. The hands need to completely cover the dancer when they come together, so hold them close enough to the camera to block the view. Film a longer continuous take if you want, so you can cut it up later at each clap point.

In editing, compile your different dancer clips (or visual changes) and add this sound. Cut between clips at the exact moment the hands are fully closed and covering the frame. When the hands open in the next clip, the new dancer or look is revealed. Sync all the cuts tightly to the beat so each clap-and-reveal hits in rhythm with the music.  

Content angles to explore

• Preview new products you’re launching (each dancer wears a piece from next season’s collection or holds a different colour of your brand’s insulated water bottle.)

• Collaborative content (feature different creators with each clap, building a sense of community or showing your audience.)
• Bring a playful vibe to unexpected spots (clap through teammates dancing in full football kit after a victory, people in ski gear on the slopes, or in business attire after a board meeting.)

February TikTok trends

The “Allow me to reintroduce myself” trend

We’re still in Q1 of 2026, and fresh starts are very much on the table. This trend gives creators a simple, high-impact way to reintroduce themselves, show a new side of their content, or orient the wave of people who just discovered their account. It’s especially useful if a recent post went viral and you suddenly need to explain your vibe, your backstory, or why your new followers should expect a lot more goat yoga on their feed.

The format is straightforward. Creators stitch together clips of themselves doing whatever it is they do online (reviewing products, sharing their morning routine, extremely real about meal planning on a budget), using a CapCut template that layers short labels over b-roll to build a quick, personality-forward snapshot of who they are.

How to use this trend 

First, open this CapCut template; it’s going to do most of the work for you. Then, gather around 10–20 b-roll clips that describe “you”: footage of you presenting at a conference, using the saw at your woodwork workshop, drinking your morning coffee, or walking your dog. Don’t worry about filming new clips; you can just pull highlights from your content throughout the years

Next, come up with about five descriptors of who you are: dad, hot sauce enthusiast, app developer, entrepreneur, puzzle collector. Or makeup artist, podcast host, MAFS obsessive, pizza pocket connoisseur, night owl. You definitely want to make your niche clear up top, but adding some range will make your account more multi-dimensional. The template will cycle through these labels over your clips, building a quick personality profile. Make sure you use this audio for discoverability.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Sum up your account for new followers (show a compilation of your products, services, or behind-the-scenes moments so people immediately understand what you’re about.)
• Launch your next chapter (if you’re pivoting your content or expanding into a new area, use this to reintroduce yourself with updated descriptors and fresh footage that reflects where you’re headed.)
• Humanise your business (for brand accounts, show the people behind the logo — team members, their roles, what they’re passionate about to build connection beyond the product.)

The “I just want you” trend

Did you know that, legally speaking, satisfying visual transitions don’t actually have to be an editing nightmare? This trend requires filming in a few different locations, but stitching it together should only take a few minutes.

Set to Taylor Swift’s Wi$hliSt, creators film a series of POV clips across four locations. In the first three, they hold their empty hand out in front of them, cupped as if they’re holding something invisible. These clips play as Swift sings, “They should have what they want / They deserve what they want / Hope they get what they want.”

Then, when the song hits “I just want you,” the final clip appears. The hand is in the exact same position, but now the desired object has magically materialised. It might be a mug of coffee, a Philly cheesesteak, or whatever you’ve been waiting for all along. 

How to use this trend

Choose your object first. Beverages are the most common pick, but books, accessories, or small potted plants work just as well. If it comfortably fits in one hand, go for it.

Film the POV shot where you’re actually holding the item first. Even though this clip appears at the end of the video, having it upfront makes it much easier to match your hand position in the other shots.

Next, film your empty hand in three different locations. These don’t have to be fancy: your car, kitchen, or train commute all work. The key is keeping your hand position consistent so the transition feels seamless. If you’re struggling to match the angle, turn on your camera’s grid overlay and position your hand so it occupies the same section of the grid in each location. For example, keep your wrist aligned with the bottom horizontal line and your fingertips just below the centre point.

In editing, sync the clips to the Wi$hli$t audio. The effect is strongest when you line up one shot per lyric line, letting the final reveal land cleanly on “I just want you.”

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Highlight a new product (reveal a just-released game controller or new seasonal menu item.)
• Feature a universal craving (who doesn’t feel vaguely romantic towards an enormous carton of McDonald’s fries with extra salt?)
• Show off your newest hobby win (plant parents revealing a rare variegated cutting, artists displaying new brushes or supplies.)

The “Let’s see where the wind takes me” trend

In its simplest form, this is a classic location transition, but the framing and acting give it a spontaneous, whimsical feel. The video opens with a person (or group) standing in location #1. They place their pointer finger to their lips, then lift it toward the sky to test the wind. Next, they dramatically tilt to one side of the frame, as though pushed by a sudden gust of wind. Cut to location #2, where they stumble into frame, continuing the same motion as if the breeze carried them there in one continuous movement.

How to do this trend

Film your first clip in your starting location. You can choose a setting that’s relevant to the reveal (if you’re travelling, for example, maybe you film your opening at the airport), but everyday settings like your home, the gym, or outside on the footpath work well too. Touch your finger to your lips, raise it to test the wind, then tilt dramatically to one side as if being pushed by a breeze.

Next, film a second clip in your new location. Enter the frame from the side, stumbling or swaying as if you’ve just been blown there by that same gust of wind. Once you arrive, you can extend the clip and linger a little. Some users spin around to take in their surroundings, take a sip of the coffee the wind delivered them to, or do a little celebratory gesture of their choice. 

Once you have your footage, edit the clips together in your preferred editing app. Add a text overlay reading “Let’s see where the wind takes me” over the first clip before the tilt. 

Some users add this audio, but others pick a sound of their own.

Content angles to explore

• Add a free-spirited tone to travel content (let the “wind” carry you from the departure gate to your destination for an easy, whimsical transition.)
• Enter a new dimension (Envato’s VideoGen can sweep you from your reading nook into your favourite fantasy realm. This works particularly well for booktokers or gamers.)
• Drive foot traffic to a brick-and-mortar location (oh nooo! The wind took us to try the local bagel store’s new sandwich!)

“Fixing the pain as a kid” trend

Who doesn’t miss how easy it was to fix problems as a kid? Scraped knee? Bandaid. Bad day? Ice cream. Everything had a simple solution. But then again, while childhood fixes were simpler, adult solutions are often way more fun.

This trend taps into that contrast with a quick visual switch-up. It opens with the text “fixing the pain as a kid” over footage of someone holding their hand out while another person places a bandaid on their palm. In the next clip, the framing stays identical (same hand, same positioning), but the text changes to “fixing the pain as an adult.” This time, the helping hands deliver a more grown-up solution: placing a product into the palm, clasping on an accessory, or revealing something that genuinely improves the situation.

 How to do this trend

Film two clips with consistent framing and hand positioning. Generally, this trend focuses only on the hands, with the rest of the body cropped out. In the first clip, have someone place a bandaid on your outstretched hand underneath a text overlay reading “fixing the pain as a kid.” If you don’t have a filming partner, that’s fine. Some creators just use their own two hands — one giving, one receiving.

In the second clip, keep the same setup but swap the bandaid for something that represents your adult solution — your product, hobby gear, or whatever genuinely makes life better now. If the solution is an item (like shoes, a book, or a product), the helping hand might flip the receiving hand over to place it in the palm instead. Overlay “fixing the pain as an adult.” Add a trending audio of your choice.

Content angles to explore

• Offer practical problem-solvers (place your product directly into the open palm as the upgraded fix, e.g., a meal delivery kit ‘fixing’ the chaos of weeknight dinners.)
• Share relatable humour (drop in a phone already opened to a therapy app, offer an iced coffee as a lifeline, or press a mock “cancel plans” button into their hand.)
• Display aesthetic upgrades (instead of placing something in the palm, apply or attach the upgrade — clasp a bracelet around a wrist, press on a tattoo stencil.)

The stomping trend

Ever wanted to literally force your message onto someone’s screen? This trend lets you do exactly that — with your feet.

In this format, creators appear to physically reveal on-screen text by stomping in place. The video typically begins with a horizontal clip of a person in frame. When they stomp, their video layer shifts downward, exposing a sliver of text hidden behind it. With each stomp (sometimes escalating to a two-foot jump for emphasis), more of the message is revealed.

By the final thud, the full text is visible, and the creator has effectively “pushed” themselves to the bottom of the vertical frame. It’s a different kind of interaction than we usually see on TikTok. Instead of tapping or swiping, the creator treats the screen itself like something they can physically move with their body weight. The slight aggression of it (you’re literally stomping your point into existence) also adds humor and personality, making even straightforward announcements feel less corporate and more human.

How to use this trend

Film a horizontal video of yourself standing in frame. You’ll stomp multiple times (usually 3–5 stomps), so make sure each stomp is deliberate and has good energy. Now is the time to commit to the performance.

In editing, place your horizontal video into a vertical canvas in your preferred video editor. Position the clip at the top of the frame, and add your text as a separate layer underneath the video. If any text is peeking out at the edges, mask those areas or adjust your positioning so nothing’s visible until you want it to be revealed.

Go to the moment when you stomp your foot on the ground and add a keyframe. Move slightly forward in the timeline and add a second keyframe where you drag the video layer downward to reveal part of the text. Apply a “cubic out” easing between keyframes to create that smooth, weighty drop.

Repeat this process for each stomp until the full message is revealed and your video sits at the bottom of the screen. Adding a stomp sound effect can help sell the impact.

We know switching between horizontal and vertical frames is annoying, and this trend really relies on the screen’s aspect ratio. If you’ve already filmed (or generated!) your content and need to adapt it for different platforms, Envato’s Reframe can quickly convert your video to the ratio you need using AI outpainting to intelligently fill the frame.

Content angles to explore

• Make a brand announcement (the dramatic reveal adds some visual interest to product launches, new collection drops, or other big news you want to stomp into people’s feeds.)
• Stomp to share a spicy industry opinion your audience will have feelings about (e.g., a social media agency stomping to reveal: “Posting every day is not a strategy.”)
• Progressive bullet point reveal (each stomp could reveal a different point in a list, building to a final call-to-action or conclusion.)
• Replace the text behind the footage with an image (stomp to uncover product shots, infographics, or memes.)

January TikTok trends

The 2016 nostalgia trend

Pull out your skinny jeans and slap on a dog filter, because 2016 is so back — at least according to social media. Creators across TikTok are jumping on the nostalgia bandwagon in multiple ways: some are posting unearthed photos of themselves for a throwback carousel or comparing memories from the era, while others are reviving the aesthetic in new videos with heavily saturated Snapchat filters, Converse, or flower crowns. It’s part silly, part sincere, and packed with love for a year of peak pop music and Pokémon Go.

How to use this trend 

This trend is so viral that it defies a unified format. You can post archival footage, adopt the “vintage”(!!!) 2010s aesthetic, or jump into the conversation of people comparing and debating 2016 memories. Key aesthetic elements: “millennial cringe” outfits like this or this, the Rio de Janeiro Instagram filter, and anything Snapchat. Many users add the suono originale sound for discoverability.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Throwback content (if you run a netball team account, post what your players looked like back in the day; brands can share old product photos, original logos, or behind-the-scenes from 2016.)
• Recreate the aesthetic (music accounts can create 2016 hit mashups, haircare accounts can tutorial a 2016 look.)
• Industry deep dives (what did 2016 look like in graphic design trends, car releases, tech launches, or interior design? Research how your specific industry has evolved over the past decade and make it a mini time capsule.)

“You have to believe me…” Stranger Things trend

Frankly, anything Stranger Things related is viral right now, but this format is particularly popular. The trend comes from a scene where Holly Wheeler breathlessly cries, “Come on, you have to believe me, please.” In the show, she’s talking about supernatural monsters; on TikTok, that same urgency is reserved for much lower-stakes problems. Creators use the audio to dramatise the experience of trying to convince someone you’re right, whether that’s pleading with other fans to believe your team will pull off a win after last week’s disaster, or begging your grandmother to trust that you really aren’t cold in your oversized coat.

How to use this trend

Film yourself lip-syncing the famous “Come on, you have to believe me” quote, preferably while pacing around and acting distressed, then add the trending audio, which features the original Holly Wheeler line. Overlay text explaining your scenario using hooks like “How it feels when…” or “Me trying to convince people that…”

Content angles to explore

• Champion your product benefits (“Me trying to convince people they really can slash their grocery bill with our app.”)
• Jump into your niche’s debates with humour (“How it feels when people say they want walkable cities but complain about removing parking space.”)
• Share universal struggles (“Me telling people they’d love the show if they just get past the first season.”)

“I asked the universe for a sign” AI trend

This format plays on the tendency to see signs from the universe in basically anything. Instead of waiting around and interpreting number patterns as cosmic messages, creators are taking matters into their own hands, manifesting their own signs with AI image generators.

In this trend, creators use b-roll footage of themselves gazing skyward, searching for their destined message, then reacting to the supposed omen. The text overlay reads “I asked the universe for a sign.” Then the angle switches to their POV, pointed towards the sky, where a very literal interpretation of the sign appears written in the clouds. “Go buy a horse” might be spelled out in perfect cloud lettering, or an image of a brand new iPhone drawn entirely from clouds. Some people really do make their own luck.

How to do this trend

Start by filming a short clip of yourself looking up at the sky, as if you’re waiting for a sign, possibly covering your mouth in surprise. Add the text overlay “I asked the universe for a sign.”

Next, take a still photo of the sky from your point of view. Upload the image to an AI generator (like ImageGen!). Use a prompt that describes a very literal “sign” appearing in the clouds, like (“A bright daytime sky with realistic white clouds forming the shape of a suitcase and an aeroplane, clearly visible and centred. Natural cloud texture, realistic lighting, calm atmosphere, no people.”)

Next, download that image and upload it into an AI video generator (ahem, VideoGen). Add a short motion prompt like “Soft clouds drifting slowly across the sky.” Edit the AI clip into your original footage so it reads as the universe’s unmistakable response, and then add this trending audio.

Content angles to explore

• Use the “sign” to literally spell out your product or benefit (e.g., your exact product name, or a specific phrase like “a coffee thermos that actually stays hot in your car.”) The more precise the wording, the funnier and more memorable it is.
• Skip text and go visual with instantly recognisable symbols (a sneaker brand could use a shoe silhouette, beauty brands might use a lipstick or compact mirror. It works best when your product or logo is iconic enough that customers recognise it immediately without words.)
• Permission for questionable decisions (signs telling you to impulse-buy concert tickets or adopt another pet.)

“More of this in 2026” trend

This trend is so easy it almost feels like cheating, but we’ll call it letting New Year optimism do the heavy lifting. As people set their intentions for 2026, creators post simple clips of the energy they want to carry forward (laughing around a campfire, hanging cozy string lights, watching clouds drift past an aeroplane window) paired with the text “More of this in 2026.” Think of it as a low-effort mood board: a quick video to set the tone for the year ahead without the collage fatigue.

How to do this trend

Go gather some b-roll that captures the energy you or your brand wants to bring into 2026. This works best when the clips flow together (pouring coffee, then light spilling through a window), but it can be as simple as a single seven-second aesthetic clip if you want to keep it easy. Overlay the text, “More of this in 2026.” Some creators add a short list underneath (more spontaneous trips, more laughter, more surf days), while others let the phrase stand on its own. Pair it with any audio that fits the mood.

Content angles to explore

• Introduce a new visual chapter (design, fashion, or lifestyle brands can use a montage of colours, textures, or silhouettes that hint at where their aesthetic is headed next.)
• Visualise your values (a summer camp might stitch together clips of kids learning and playing to show their mission in action.)
• Low-lift brand discovery (one on-brand shot that instantly tells new viewers who you are, e.g. footage of a marathon finish line, hands kneading dough for a bakery.)

December 2025 TikTok trends

“The lion does not concern himself with…” trend

TikTok has resurrected a Game of Thrones quote and stripped it of all seriousness. Inspired by Tywin Lannister”s “a lion does not concern himself with the opinion of sheep“, the trend turns overblown confidence into a joke. 

Users post videos declaring what the lion or lioness (aka themselves) does or doesn”t concern themselves with, often paired with footage that undercuts the bravado, like taking the lift one floor while insisting “the lion does not concern himself with his step count”. It”s a self-aware riff on the quote. No one”s seriously calling themselves an apex predator, just applying big-cat gravitas to very ordinary behaviour.

How to use this trend 

There”s no specific audio or camera trick required. Simply choose footage that fits your example and overlay text reading, “The lion/lioness does not concern him/herself with…” followed by whatever you”re dismissing. This can be self-deprecating (maybe you really should reply to one of your 47 unread messages but won”t), or a genuine declaration of being unbothered by the expectations of others (like ignoring people who say audiobooks don”t count as reading).

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Joke about everyday habits (“the lioness does not concern herself with eating a proper breakfast when coffee exists.”)
• Roast the cultural obsessions you find overrated (“the lion doesn”t concern himself with the hip abduction machine” for fitness accounts.)
• Brag-worthy product benefits (“the lioness does not concern herself with flaky shoulders,” for anti-dandruff haircare.)

The “In your 20s…” trend

Think of this trend as a new, fun cousin of “sliding door moments”. It taps into the same sense of nostalgia, as users pinpoint the big or seemingly small decisions that changed the trajectory of their lives.

The format is simple. Creators post footage overlaid with some variation of “In your 20s, you”ll [insert opportunity here], and it”s very important that you do it.” Some people highlight the ripple effect of seemingly unremarkable choices, like starting a conversation with a stranger on the train. Others reflect back on big leaps, like switching industries or presenting at a conference on the other side of the world. These videos give creators a moment to celebrate everything that followed because they took a chance.

How to use this trend 

Choose footage that relates to your subject. This could be archival clips from the original moment, more recent footage, or a transition between the two. Overlay the text following the format, filling in your specific opportunity or decision. If you”d rather use another decade, feel free to swap “20s” out for whatever age makes the most sense. Add the trending audio, a mashup of Billy Joel”s Piano Man and Fleetwood Mac”s Silver Springs, because apparently we weren’t reminiscing hard enough already.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Career-defining moments (In your 20s, you”ll be offered a job in a city where you don”t know anyone, and it”s very important that you take it.)
• Travel adventures (In your 20s, you”ll book a trip alone that scares you senseless, and it”s very important that you go.)
• Brand origin stories (In your 20s, you”ll see that performance sneakers look terrible off the court, and it”s very important that you design better.)

The “If I didn”t already have it” wishlist

Whether you”re curating your own shopping list for post-holiday sales or hunting for dad-approved gifts that aren”t just hot sauce or vaguely woodsy cologne, December is peak wishlist season on TikTok. This trend sets itself aside from similar posts by creating a sense of authority. Users already own the products they recommend, cutting through the usual marketing gimmicks. These wishlists are often highly specific: instead of just describing a jacket, creators point out details like extra deep pockets that fit an iPhone 16 and let you leave your bag at home — basically, the things people actually care about.

How to use this trend 

In the most common approach, you simply turn on your ring light and explain the wishlist directly to the camera. Begin by introducing the concept with the title overlaid in the first few seconds, then give a short explanation alongside each product you recommend. Show each item as you mention it, either by holding it up or adding a still image. If you don”t love being on camera, this also works as a simple carousel post.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Founder or employee highlights (a craft store employee showcasing the supplies that make the biggest difference in their own projects.)
• Wishlists centred on specific needs or expertise (running shoes for people with flat arches, skincare for sensitive skin that won”t break you out)
• Budget-conscious upgrades (affordable versions of expensive products that hold up, things you bought on a whim that turned out essential)

The “Come on, Superman” trend

One of December”s most viral trends has TikTokers lip syncing the iconic lyric from Tame Impala”s 2015 song The Less I Know the Better: “Come on Superman, say your stupid line.” During the instrumental interlude, creators reveal their “stupid line” which essentially means the catchphrase they find themselves saying far more than they probably should. For example, a self-described indecisive user shared, “I can”t choose, you pick pls,” while a graphic design enthusiast revealed, “omg look their branding is so cute.”

How to use this trend 

This is a classic set-up/punchline format that relies on timing. Record yourself lip syncing to the Tame Impala lyrics using the trending audio “original sound” by dqrksiren for discoverability. Alternatively, you can overlay the audio on relevant footage. Right as the lyric wraps up, reveal your “stupid line” with a text overlay.

Here are some content angles you can explore

• Industry phrases you can”t stop saying (teachers with “I”ll wait,” tattoo artists with “Actually, we can”t go smaller.”)
• Montages of an organization you”re promoting (show highlights of your group in action, then pause for a tagline e.g., “And that”s how the project went viral,” for creative studios, “Gardens planted” for volunteer crew.)
• Self-aware promo lines that let you market without being annoying (podcasters with “Our Patreon subscribers get twice the content,” retail brands with “New drop coming next Friday.”)

November 2025 TikTok trends

The Butter Yellow font trend 

The internet has been obsessed with butter yellow all year. It’s shown up in fashion at the Oscars, been named KitchenAid’s 2025 ‘Colour of the Year,’ crept into home decor, and now it’s taking over text overlays on TikTok. On the app, users choose a serif font (think Baskerville, Garamond, or one of these creator favourites) in that signature yellow shade, overlaid on aesthetic footage. It gives a slightly Wes Anderson effect and a nod to French New Wave cinema that often used similar typography for title cards. It’s sunny, sophisticated, and manages to feel both timeless and very of-the-moment. 

How to use this trend

Simply select the text tool, choose a serif font, and go for butter yellow. Even at full saturation, yellow never appears particularly dark, so you need strong contrast in your background to keep it legible. If you’re going all-in on the vintage cinema vibe, Envato’s guide to cinema nouveau has more tips to nail the look.

This trend doesn’t require a specific format or audio; it’s just a quick way to elevate whatever you were already planning to post. With that said, it makes sense to pair a French cinematic aesthetic with things that are naturally beautiful: coffee being poured, a thoughtfully arranged bookshelf, or early morning light.

Here are some content examples you can take inspiration from: 

• Captioning narration for a day-in-the-life video
• Adding process explanations over studio footage or creative work
• Labelling ingredients or steps in cooking videos

The ‘Screen to Real Life’ transition trend

There are two big things to like about this transition: 1) In an era where your online order arrives looking like it was photographed in a professional studio but delivered from someone’s garage, this actually proves your stuff looks good in real life, and 2) it’s just satisfying to watch.

In this trend, the video opens on a phone screen showing a product photo. The creator zooms in, starts swiping the image away, and as their hand moves, the actual physical product materialises in their palm like a tiny bit of witchcraft.

How to use this trend

Start by choosing your item, which should be something small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Take a photo of it and display it on your phone screen. Film yourself holding the phone, then zoom in on the photo until the item appears life-sized on screen. Stop recording, position the actual item in your other hand just below the phone, and start filming again. Swipe the photo left while simultaneously moving your right hand right to reveal the real object. Because the item is leaving the screen at the same time as it’s appearing in your hand, it looks like it’s jumped from digital space to physical reality.

Here are some content angles you can explore:

• Swipe to reveal a hand-crafted piece of jewellery or accessories like cufflinks or watches
• Swipe to reveal small art prints or stickers
• Swipe to reveal tech products like earbuds or a phone case

The ‘Last November’ trend

As the year wraps up, people are getting reflective, and this trend captures that energy. Set to the viral ‘bless the telephone’ audio, the format lets creators compare how their life has changed over the past year. Videos start with footage from November 2024, overlaid with ‘Last November vs…’ before cutting to current footage tagged “This November.”

The changes range from major life events (positive pregnancy test to holding a baby, single to engaged) to personal growth milestones (early gym sessions to visible progress, burnt out to thriving). 

How to use this trend

Dig through your camera roll to find clips from November 2024 that encapsulate where you were then. Film current footage that shows the contrast. The bigger the transformation, the more impactful the video, but even non-dramatic shifts (different haircut, new apartment, upgraded setup) can resonate.

Use the ‘bless the telephone’ audio and add text overlays: ‘Last November’ on the first clip, ‘This November’ on the second. The ‘vs’ can be on either clip, or you can leave it out altogether. Let the visuals do the talking; you don’t need to over-explain. 

Here are some content angles you can explore:

• Compare last November’s 5k time to this year’s half-marathon ribbon
• Share major life milestones like moving cities or changing careers
• Showcase creative growth by contrasting 2024 work with your current skill level

The ‘On My Way Be There in 15’ trend

Mid-November means the holiday season is officially upon us, whether you’re prepping for Thanksgiving or getting ahead of December chaos. The holidays mean constant plans—hosting dinners, attending gatherings, last-minute guest arrivals—and sometimes you get that text saying ‘omw be there in 15’ when you’re absolutely not ready.

This trend taps into the sense of festive chaos. Creators overlay the text ‘on my way be there in 15’ over quick tutorials for things you can pull off in under 15 minutes: throwing together a cheese board that looks impressive, tidying a room at lightning speed, whipping up a festive snack, or getting ready before the doorbell rings. It’s part recipe/life hack content, part relatable humour about the stress of hosting season.

How to use this trend

Think of this trend as a playful alternative to the ‘things you can do in 15 minutes’ format. What quick tricks or life hacks do you know that would actually help someone in a time crunch? Film yourself doing it, possibly speeding up the clip to amplify the frantic energy of racing against the clock. Pop on the “omw be there in 15” text overlay at the start, and you’re done.

The most important part is that your video shares something genuinely useful. People save these videos for future emergencies, so focus on content that takes some pressure off the holiday rush.

Here are some content angles you can explore:

• Throw together quick appetisers like cheese boards or finger foods in under 15 minutes
• Share your go-to formula for throwing together an outfit that looks intentional
• Demonstrate how your product saves time in a pinch, like cleaning products that work fast or home decor that instantly elevates a space

October 2025 TikTok trends

The ‘Unfortunately, I do love’ trend

This trend is a love letter to tiny, slightly embarrassing guilty pleasures or confessions: buying $7 iced coffees, rewatching your own Instagram Story, naming your project file REALFINALFINAL4.doc. Creators simply share a bullet point list of indulgences over a photo or video, set to Joe Walsh’s electric guitar riff from Rocky Mountain Way.   

Although the trend went particularly viral with users reclaiming the pleasures of girlhood (Love Island gossip and a crisp Diet Coke, god bless), anyone can get in on the joke. Hockey players unfortunately love carbo-loading; powersports dealers unfortunately love revving units inside the shop just for the sound. The possibilities are endless; there’s joy everywhere for those with eyes to see it. 

How to use this trend

This one couldn’t be easier. Choose a carefree or aesthetic photo or video of yourself (or, in the case of a brand, a photo or short video of your product or work). Overlay white text that reads: ‘Unfortunately, I do love:’ followed by 5-10 bullet points of things you maybe shouldn’t love but definitely do. Include some universally relatable pleasures alongside a few unexpected ones. Use the trending Rocky Mountain Way audio for an algorithmic boost.

Here are some content examples you can take inspiration from: 

• Unfortunately, I do love hoarding mockup templates ‘just in case’
• Unfortunately, I do love posting a meme and then refreshing every 12 seconds to see if engagement’s good
• Unfortunately, I do love romanticising my life every time I add a slice of lemon to my water

The ‘I Know Ball’ trend

In basketball, ‘knowing ball’ means understanding the game, knowing its history, the deep mosaic of intricacies that make up ‘ball’. But on TikTok, the phrase has evolved into a catch-all for being an expert in literally anything: Tetris-ing leftovers into the fridge, stalking someone’s Instagram without accidentally liking a post from 2019, sensing when pasta is perfectly al dente just by vibes.

In this trend, creators respond to imaginary doubters with proof of their abilities. Videos open with text like ‘When I do [X] and they say I don’t know ball,’ alongside footage that makes it look like they don’t know what they’re doing. Then, the video transitions to a frame revealing the user’s actual expertise, stamped with ‘Trust me, I know ball.’

How to Use This Trend

Pick your domain of alleged expertise. It can be something you genuinely know well, or, for comedic effect, something mundane that life has trained you for (extreme couponing, emotionally recovering after a text reading ‘haha.’)

Start with text that sets up the scenario: ‘When I [activity] and they say I don’t know ball.’ Open with footage that looks unimpressive. Then cut to the glow-up reveal, overlaid with ‘Trust me. I know ball.’ Use the trending Plug Walk remix audio to maximize visibility. This works just as well as a carousel as a video. It’s the same idea, just use still photos overlaid with text.

Here are some content angles you can explore:

• Chaotic whiteboard brainstorm → polished client pitch deck
• Rough sketches → detailed artwork
• Fridge holding only butter and half an onion → homemade carbonara

The ‘This Is Your Sign’ trend

This is your sign to do possibly the easiest TikTok format on this list.

In this trend, creators pick some b-roll footage, overlay ‘This is your sign,’ and follow it with instructions for whatever their audience might be waiting for a cosmic push to actually do — book that trip to Thailand, join a run club, make the switch to non-Teflon pans.

There’s an alternate version that works the same way: ‘I don’t know who needs to hear this but…’ followed by the gentle command or permission a viewer might be waiting for. Both formats tap into that feeling of serendipity, like the algorithm knows you and the three SkyScanner tabs you have open on your computer better than you know yourself. This trend is a gift for brands because it’s permission-based marketing disguised as gentle cosmic intervention. 

How to use this trend

Grab some aesthetically pleasing footage (sunset, coffee being poured, someone walking through a field, waves crashing, you get the idea), overlay text that says ‘This is your sign to…’ followed by your instructions, and post. Match your footage to your niche if you can: BookTok creators might film their reading nook, fitness people can use workout clips. There’s no particular audio you need to attach it to. 

Here are some content angles you can explore:

• This is your sign to…pick up your guitar again, finish that first draft, sign up for the pottery class
• This is your sign to…make a lifestyle change, try morning walks, meal prep, finally get decent speakers
• This is your sign to…reach out to an old friend, plan the reunion

The ‘Cheer the Camera’ trend

Never underestimate the power of a good visual transition. In this trend, creators hold up an object — usually coffee cups, water bottles, wine glasses, but it works with random things like phones or books — and cheer it directly into the camera lens. The object fills the frame completely, blocking the view for a second. When they pull it back, the video cuts to reveal a completely different environment, outfit, or setup than what you saw a moment ago.

The transition happens in that brief moment when the object covers the camera, making the jump feel seamless. One second you’re in your bedroom in pajamas, cheer with your morning coffee, pull back, and suddenly you’re fully dressed at a café. Or you’re at your desk, cheers with a water bottle, and now you’re at the beach. 

How to do the ‘Cheer the Camera’ trend?

Film your first clip: hold up your object of choice and move it toward the camera until it completely fills the frame and blocks the view. Then film your second clip: start with the same object filling the frame in the same position, then pull it back to reveal your new location, outfit, or setup. While editing, cut the two clips together right at the moment when the object fully covers the lens. If you line it up properly, it’ll look like one smooth motion even though you’ve completely changed everything in the background.

You can keep it simple with just two scenes, or stack multiple transitions back-to-back for a montage effect.

Here are some content angles you can explore:

• Show different spots from a trip or transition from home to your destination
• Jump from morning routine to being fully ready
• Use your actual product as the transition object (a skincare brand might use a serum bottle, a coffee company could use a branded mug)
  

The ‘Life of a Showgirl’ trend (and variations)

Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or she’s not really your thing, one thing’s undeniable: anytime Taylor drops an album, it takes over social media. Her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, is no exception.

Even if you’re not a Swiftie, the sheer volume of engagement around this album makes it worth considering — trending audio gets algorithmic priority, and piggybacking on massive cultural moments means your content is more likely to get served to new audiences who are actively searching these sounds.

There’s no single trend format dominating TikTok. Some people are just slapping Opalite or Wi$h Li$t over their regular content and calling it a day, which honestly, fair. But if you want to get a little deeper, here are two more involved options:

1. The Ophelia dance: The brave among us are attempting the viral choreography to The Fate of Ophelia, inspired by Swift’s own music video. The moves are pretty accessible, and you can do them solo or in a group. A lot of the users doing it are young women, but if you’re neither of those things (like, for instance, this Swiftie grandpa), it might actually make the video more charming.

2. The lyric reinterpretation: Creators are setting Showgirl lyrics to clips that match the themes or narrative of the song. Someone matched Ophelia (‘All this time I spent alone in my tower, you were just honing your powers’) to clips from Tangled where Rapunzel is literally alone in her tower. Actually Romantic — a song about how someone’s efforts to antagonize you could be reinterpreted as love — has been set to Dwight and Jim from The Office.

How to use this trend

Choose your approach based on the amount of effort you’re willing to put in and the type of content you typically create.

For the simple route, choose one of the trending Showgirl tracks and pair it with whatever footage you were planning on posting anyway for a little algorithmic boost. The audio is doing the heavy lifting here.

For the dance, watch a few tutorials or reference videos to learn the choreography, film yourself doing it, and don’t stress about being perfect. If your account centers on a specific niche or hobby, you could film there.

For the lyric reinterpretation: match the song to characters or moments that fit the vibe. The easiest ones are Father Figure, which maps onto fraught mentor relationships, and Actually Romantic for bickering-as-flirting dynamics. Obviously, this works best with recognizable pop culture characters or figures, but you can get creative — plenty of people are setting Father Figure to clips of their dogs. If you can make it land with footage of your pets or your commute, do it.

Here are some content examples you can take inspiration from: 

• A skincare wish-list set to Wi$h Li$t audio
• The Ophelia dance with your soccer team
• Actually Romantic set to enemies-to-lovers characters from your favorite BookTok book

And that’s a wrap! To start creating viral videos and TikTok sounds today, check out Envato’s massive library of creative assets.