So you've started posting videos on Tiktok and now you're ready to up your game. One of the easiest ways to make your videos more entertaining and potentially get more views is to jump on trends.
The way the TikTok algorithm is designed, it rewards videos that use certain sounds, effects, or trending hashtags. These videos are more likely to receive views because they are forwarded to other people who are also enjoying this trend, and they are easier to find when browsing the Discover tab. Here's how to improve your TikTok strategy by using trends to your advantage.
Trends can come from various app features:sounds, dances, transitions, or hashtags. One of the easiest ways to identify trends is to browse the Discover tab, which will feature a variety of trending sounds or topics.
In fact, there is a hashtag you can follow that does the work for you. #trendalert is a popular hashtag that some TikTokers use to identify trends that others can follow. They take it upon themselves to scour TikTok and identify what is gaining popularity, usually by looking at the ratio of sounds to videos made using those sounds, and looking for rapid growth. The beauty of following this hashtag is that all you have to do is jump on the trend they identified.
Trends can also vary depending on the algorithm niche you are trapped in. For example, what's trending on Tech TikTok may not be trending on Fashion TikTok. This is absolutely fine, as it helps get your videos on the For You pages of people who will appreciate this trend. If you are in a niche or want to be, to find trending features, you just need to pay attention to your For You page. If you notice a sound popping up every few videos, it's likely gaining momentum. The same goes for hashtags, dances or certain transitions.
This can apply to anything trending, but for the purposes of this article, I'm going to focus on sounds. If you found a song or other sound that is popular, add it to your favorites for easy access later. And don't worry about repeating it – it's common for a creator to use a sound multiple times. Once you identify the sound, make a video using whatever matches that trend. Often, it's a dance or lip-sync skit. When you are done recording your video, add your caption, add some suitable hashtags and upload!
The key to successfully using a trending sound to get more views, however, is making sure the sound is still popular. TikTok's algorithm is designed to customize your For You page to show things you like – it doesn't pay as much attention to when a video has been published as much as content in this video. This means that you may have been following a sound from weeks ago that is no longer popular.
The best way to make sure a sound is up to date is to go to the sound's page and watch the most recent videos that use it. Ideally, they will have been published just a day or two ago. If most of the videos are days or weeks old, it's safe to assume that the window for high views on a video with that sound has passed.
Don't let that hold you back, though! TikTok is all about having fun, so post your video anyway!
Trends are a great way to grow your audience and reach if that's what you're interested in, but keep in mind that they change frequently and can be difficult to follow. At its core, TikTok is a social media platform, and what makes social media so fun is participating in a way that's fun for you! Bucking the trends and creating the content you want can be just as rewarding as learning the latest dance.
The limit on TikTok
Join us for TikToks on the future of technology and science
Follow us!