25 TikTok Video Ideas That Will Go Viral

Creating TikTok videos can be challenging. You open the app to make a video, but instead of getting straight to building, you end up watching videos for hours. You get lost in the app's endless feed of entertaining content and forget all about your original plan. While this may be fun, it won't help you achieve your goal of creating TikTok content that will go viral. 

If you're looking for TikTok Content Ideas that will go viral and help you create your entertaining content, you've come to the right place. This guide will give you valuable insights to help you tackle your next TikTok project and create viral shorts with trending TikTok sounds.

One tool that can make achieving your TikTok goals more straightforward is Virlo's virality analysis tool. This easy-to-use tool analyzes viral videos to identify what makes them so successful. With this information, you can create your videos that align with viral trends to help you get more views and followers on TikTok.

Table of Contents

• Benefits of TikTok Marketing

• How to Find TikTok Video Ideas in 6 Ways

• 25 TikTok Video Ideas That Will Go Viral

• 5 Tips for Going Viral on TikTok

• Go Viral with Virlo's Virality Analysis Tool

Benefits of TikTok Marketing

1. Reach the Younger Audience with Authenticity

TikTok is one of the best platforms for connecting with younger audiences. The app is a cultural phenomenon among Gen Z and younger millennials, and it’s where they go to find the latest news, trends, music, and products. Nearly 70% of TikTok users are under the age of 30, with 32% between the ages of 10 and 19, and 29% between the ages of 20 and 29. TikTok is especially effective for reaching Gen Z, the oldest of whom are now entering adulthood. 

This generation was born between 1997 and 2012, and they are currently aged between 11 and 26 years old. By the start of 2023, a staggering 80% of TikTok users were aged between 16 and 24. If you want to reach Gen Z or just younger generations in general, this is one of the most significant benefits of TikTok ads. 

2. Engage Users Like Never Before

TikTok’s engagement rates are considerably higher than those of other social media platforms. Users enjoy a 17.5% engagement rate compared to just 3.5% on Instagram and 1.7% on Facebook. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, TikTok’s features, such as duets, reactions, and challenges, naturally encourage user participation and engagement with content, including ads. 

Secondly, TikTok’s algorithm is highly effective at serving relevant content to users, which increases the chances of someone seeing your ad who is actually interested in your brand or product. Finally, TikTok ads often blend in seamlessly with organic content, so users don’t automatically dismiss them as ads. 

3. Target Your Ideal Customers

With TikTok ads, you unlock advanced targeting options. You can drill down into specific characteristics and behaviors to target people most likely to engage with your ads. With interest-based targeting, you can categorize users by their content consumption patterns. With behavior-based targeting, you can serve your ads to people who take specific actions while using TikTok. Alternatively, you can create your custom audiences from your email marketing tool or customer relationship management (CRM) system, build lookalike audiences, and target users based on device type, operating system, geographical location, and demographics. 

4. Generate Leads Quickly and Natively Through TikTok Ad Forms

With TikTok ads, you can quickly and natively generate leads through ad forms. TikTok has a simplified lead-capture process within the app. Mobile-optimized forms provide a better user experience, and the native lead generation forms (which are actual ads) let you instantly collect user information without redirecting people to external sites. You can also customize the form fields to gather the most critical data for your brand and automatically populate forms with existing TikTok user data. 

5. Track Conversions with the TikTok Conversion API

Unlike traditional tracking methods that rely on cookies and browser-based data, TikTok’s Conversions captures server-to-server data, which means you can reliably track user actions across the platform. This granular data enables you to understand better what’s working (and what’s not) with your ad campaigns and gain deeper insights into customer behavior. 

6. Transfer Data from TikTok to Other Platforms with Ease

With LeadsBridge, you can integrate TikTok with other tools in your tech stack to create 360-degree views of your customers and transfer data from one platform to another. For example, you can take the information gathered from TikTok’s lead forms and transfer it to your CRM system or email marketing tool to continue nurturing those leads elsewhere. 

7. Enjoy Budget-Friendly Advertising Options

How much does it cost to advertise on TikTok? TikTok’s advertising system has flexible bidding strategies and a variety of ad formats, so there’s something for everyone. It’s a self-serve ad platform, which means you have total control over your budget and ad finances, and the cost-per-click (CPC) and cost-per-impression (CPM) models mean you only pay for the engagement you get. 

While TikTok ads can be slightly more expensive than advertising on more established platforms like Instagram and Facebook, you can reach 1,000 highly-targeted users for $10. The downside is that you have to spend a minimum of $500 on a campaign. Perhaps the most budget-friendly thing about TikTok advertising is that you don’t need studio-level content to see results. Lo-fi content often performs better on TikTok. You don’t need an expensive production team to create effective ads. TikTok’s built-in video tools mean you can create, edit, and deliver ads in no time at all. 

8. Retarget Users Who Have Interacted with Your Ads or Content

It’s rare for someone to buy from you the first time they come across your product or brand. Instead, it takes a few touches to show them the value of what you’re offering and why they should choose you over a competitor. This is where TikTok’s retargeting ads come into play. You can deliver ads to people who have already engaged with previous ads to create a nurturing funnel that shares more information and trust-building content. 

When you incorporate retargeting into your TikTok ads strategy, you can cast a wide net and then hone in on people who have shown an interest in you. This increases your conversion rate because you’re targeting people who are on the fence and just need a nudge in the right direction. 

9. Employ a Variety of Ad Formats That Don’t Feel Like Ads

TikTok ads don’t look or feel like ads. TikTok users love genuine product reviews and user-generated content that introduce them to new brands or products. The ad formats available on TikTok blend seamlessly with organic content, so there’s less friction when users are scrolling through their feeds. The beauty of TikTok is that users often use it to find new products. 67% of users have purchased products they saw on TikTok. 

You just have to look at the success of the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt hashtag to see how well marketing content works on TikTok. TikTok ads are particularly effective for products such as food and supplements, daily essentials, and custom pet products. However, users prefer genuine, authentic content, like user reviews, product demos, and comparison videos. Luckily, TikTok’s variety of ad formats lets you get creative with the kind of content you use in your ads. 

10. Use the AI-Powered Ad Delivery System for Optimized Campaign Performance

TikTok uses an AI-powered ad delivery system to optimize campaign performance. It does this by employing advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze user behavior, preferences, and interactions in real-time. This system lays the foundation for precise audience targeting, ensuring that ads are delivered to users who are most likely to be interested and engaged. For brands, this translates to more efficient use of your ad budgets. The AI continuously learns and adjusts ad placements to maximize reach and impact, while also predicting the optimal time to display ads, selecting the most relevant content, and adapting strategies in real-time. 

Related Reading

• Times to Post on TikTok
• Top TikTok Influencers
• Popular Hashtags on TikTok

How to Find TikTok Video Ideas in 6 Ways

1. Use Virlo for Finding Trends

Virlo simplifies discovering trends for TikTok creators. Their platform helps short-form content creators crack the code of virality through AI-powered trend analysis. Virlo combines creator insights with advanced analytics to identify winning content patterns, optimal posting times, and successful audio/video combinations that help your content stand out in today's fast-moving social setting. 

This is ideal for independent creators seeking to establish a sustainable side business. It eliminates the guesswork from content strategy. Virlo analyzes the latest viral trends and helps you understand not just when to post, but what combinations of elements are currently driving engagement. Whether you're just starting or looking to optimize your existing content, Virlo helps you navigate the ever-changing algorithms to increase your chances of going viral. Go viral with Virlo's virality analysis tool.

2. Utilize TikTok Features

This one is easy to overlook, but it's straightforward. The next time you're feeling uncertain about what to post, try using a TikTok feature within the app. For example, say someone commented on one of your past videos with a question. You can create an entirely new video by using the "Video Reply" feature. 

Letting your followers guide the content you share is an excellent strategy for strengthening your community and delivering content that you know your audience will find interesting. You can also stitch your video to another video, like this video from the Washington Post. Or you can use an effect within the TikTok app to add a little spice to your video, like this trend, where creators use the wave effect paired with a Grupo La Cumbia song to make fun of their dance moves.

3. Educate Your Audience

People love to learn on TikTok, but educational TikToks don't always have to be long or detailed. Sometimes they're more effective if you keep them short and snappy. Try using a formula like "Here's how I..." and then provide a quick how-to. For example, later, I might create a video that says, "Here's how I schedule a week's worth of content in less than an hour." 

Then I'd show how to upload and schedule content to Later.com. The key to this is using a precise formula to grab your audience's attention. So, by starting your video with "Here's how I blank," your audience knows exactly what to expect within the first few seconds of your videos, which, due to our ever-shrinking attention spans, is very important.

4. Add Your Spin to a Trend

By now, we all know trending audio is everything on TikTok. And while you don't need to jump on every single trend, you can add your spin on a trending topic to help your content stand out. If you notice everyone is talking about a particular subject, find a way to share your take or incorporate the trend into your brand. 

For example, if a recipe is trending and you're a food brand, record yourself testing out the recipe and give it a rating. Or you can even add my spin to create a new version of the recipe. Instead of simply copying a trend, try using trending topics as an opportunity to get creative and stand out. Adding your spin to your content will make it even more engaging to watch.

5. Share Your Routine or Day in the Life

Day in the Life vlogs are huge on TikTok. And lucky for you, there are truly endless ways to create content around your routine. These types of videos can be short, long, showcase your whole day, or even just a snippet of one part. Plus, you can reuse the same clips in different videos to tell completely different stories. For a routine video, consider adding a voiceover to share everything I did that day. 

For another video, take a small clip from that same video and apply a relevant trending audio over it. And if you're thinking, "Hang on, why would anyone care about my boring day?" Well, don't sell yourself short. People love to watch what goes into the daily work of being a small business owner or a creator. It can help your followers or customers better relate to you and your brand, so you can build an engaged community that is excited to follow and support your brand.

6. Before and After Transitions

So, now that you've shown the behind-the-scenes process of what you do, it's time to make things look easy with before and after. People love an impressive before-and-after shot, especially when it's paired with a fun transition like this one. Just remember to capture the before content when you start a project.   

25 TikTok Video Ideas That Will Go Viral

1. Quick How-To Tutorial Videos Are Super Engaging  

These bite-sized tutorials help viewers quickly resolve minor problems. For example, you could teach smartphone cleaning tricks or productivity hacks.  

2. Bite-Sized Expert Tips Are Super Engaging  

Viewers love learning from experts, especially when it’s quick! Share 3-5 rapid-fire tips in your niche, like packing hacks, cooking shortcuts, or language learning techniques.  

3. Trending Hashtag Challenges Get You Noticed  

When you tap into a booming hashtag (#InMyDenim style), you join a community of creators all making content around the same theme. Add your unique spin to ride the trending wave, and get noticed by a wider audience.  

4. Lip Syncing to the Latest Trending Sounds Is Fun  

Find a trending sound on TikTok and layer it with expressive captions or a funny reinterpretation. You can even create your own original story or dialogue to go along with the audio.  

5. Duet or Stitch Reaction Videos Are Super Engaging  

Duet or stitch a viral video, add humor, commentary, or reaction to piggyback on its popularity. TikTok users love to see takes on content they already recognize.   

6. Comedy Skits Are Always a Hit  

Write a sharp, relatable mini-skit about modern life, daily failures, or niche humor. The more specific to your target audience, the better!  

7. Try Viral Recipe Hacks  

You’ve seen them: the viral recipe hacks that have you cooking with dish soap or making cake in a mug. Test these trending recipes or food hacks from TikTok, sharing your honest reaction.    

8. Sandwich Creations Are Visually Pleasing  

Build a visually stunning sandwich (like the “King of Sandwiches”), showing cross-sections and crunch sounds. You can even create a mini story to go along with your sandwich creation.  

9. Choreographed Dances to Trending Tracks Get Lots of Views  

Learn a trending dance on TikTok and add your twist; it could be comedic, aspirational, or stylistic. Either way, your version will get lots of views!  

10. Music Visual Edits Are Soothing and Satisfying  

Create a beat-synced edit (slow-mo, quick cuts) to highlight aesthetics, travel, or gaming flair. You can even include a “this audio is so perfect for my …” caption to tie it all together.  

11. Livestream Q&As Humanize Your Brand  

Host a live session talking through questions, advice, or behind-the-scenes content simply and authentically. Save the stream to your profile for even more reach.   

12. Put-A-Finger-Down Challenges Are Super Engaging  

Create a niche version (e.g., a bookworm edition) and invite your followers to duet or challenge you. You can even create a video to explain the rules.   

13. Tell Me Without Telling Me Challenges Are Fun  

Create a twist on the trend, e.g., “Tell me you’re a foodie without saying it” through visuals. These “without saying it” videos can be a hilarious way to showcase your niche.   

14. Product Demo Videos Showcase Your Expertise  

Showcase your product or service in real life, like using a gadget or software focused on results. Viewers want to see your product in action before making a purchase.  

15. Before and After Videos Capture Dramatic Change  

Display transformations, such as room makeovers, editing skills, or makeup, that capture dramatic changes. You can even create a story to go along with the transformation.   

16. True Storytime Videos Build Trust  

Tell a brief, surprising, or emotional story from your life, tag it “#TrueStory” for reach. These relatable videos help humanize your brand and build trust with your audience.   

17. Relatable “Day in the Life” Videos Hook Readers  

Show your daily routine with humor or authenticity: morning, work, downtime, meals ... You can even add a voiceover to explain what you’re doing as you go.   

18. Shocking Visual Edits Grab Attention  

Make use of jump cuts, glitch effects, or reveal transitions to surprise the viewer. These edits can help you tell a story or create a visually appealing video.   

19. Epic Cinematic Edits Are Satisfying to Watch  

Turn straightforward content into a cinematic mini-film with dramatic lighting and storytelling. These videos take time to create, but the payoff is worth it!   

20. Collaborations Expose You to a Wider Audience  

Partner with another creator to co-create content or participate in duet chains. Collaborations are a great way to mix your audience with another niche or target someone specific to help you reach your goals.   

21. Fan Compilation Reaction Videos Are Super Engaging  

Reshare user submissions reacting to your content or product, and acknowledge them directly. This is an excellent way to enhance your engagement and establish trust with prospective buyers.   

22. Subculture Tag Exploration Targets Niche Audiences  

Create content for niche communities (#BookTok, #CleanTok, etc.), tapping into targeted audiences. You can even use these tags to help boost your wider reach.  

23. "Here's What I Think" Hashtag Prompts Boost Interaction  

Ask a question or challenge followers to share opinions in comments to boost interaction. The more specific to your niche, the better!   

24. Trend Runway Videos Highlight Your Expertise  

Try four trending filters, audios, or effects in one video, highlighting which works best. These videos showcase your creativity and expertise while also helping boost your reach.   

25. AI-Generated Idea Tests Are Unique and Fun  

Use an AI idea generator, pick three suggestions, create them live, and poll your audience on which is best. This type of content is quirky and sure to catch your attention.

5 Tips for Going Viral on TikTok

1. Use Virlo to Boost Your TikTok Strategy

Virlo helps short-form content creators crack the code of virality through AI-powered trend analysis. Their platform combines creator insights with advanced analytics to identify winning content patterns, optimal posting times, and successful audio/video combinations that help your content stand out in today’s fast-moving social landscape. 

Perfect for independent creators looking to build a sustainable side business, Virlo takes the guesswork out of content strategy. They analyze the latest viral trends and help you understand not just when to post, but what combinations of elements are currently driving engagement. Whether you’re just starting or looking to optimize your existing content, Virlo helps you navigate the ever-changing algorithms to increase your chances of going viral. Go viral with Virlo’s virality analysis tool. 

2. Go Big on Hashtags

Hashtags group content by topic on TikTok so users can find what’s trending quickly. They’re also another directional sign that helps TikTok’s algorithm match content to each user and search query. Just like keywords, your two jobs here are to find the best hashtags and use them in a way that helps users and algorithms find your content. 

Like keywords, one easy way to find hashtags is to type a root word into the search bar. Only this time, complete the search, then tap “Hashtags” at the top. You can also conduct a little competitive research to see which hashtags others in your space are using. And finally, once again, TikTok has a tool to help you find hashtags in its Creative Center.

3. Use Trending Sounds

Believe it or not, the sounds you hear while watching TikTok act like hashtags and keywords. When you listen to a few videos with the same catchy beat or funny voiceover, TikTok tends to serve more that use the same sounds. Plus, you can search for content by its familiar sounds, just like with hashtags.

4. Post at the Right Frequency and Time

When and how often you post aren’t direct ranking factors. However, both can indirectly improve your TikTok SEO. When you post more often, you simply have more chances to go viral. The exact posting frequency is a matter of debate. TikTok advises posting multiple times per day, while other studies suggest posting a couple of times per week is sufficient. The honest answer is to post as often as possible while still sharing valuable content that people want to watch. 

Remember that video completion is a direct ranking factor, so posting more stuff people won’t watch all the way through will hurt more than help. TikTok also doesn’t directly care when you post your content. But if you get it in front of your audience when they’re most likely looking at the app, it’ll give your videos a little engagement boost, which may make them more likely to land on the FYP of new potential followers. Luckily, your TikTok analytics tells you when your followers are flipping through the app.

5. Drive Engagement

Likes, comments, and shares are the real deal ranking factors. You can’t make people take these actions (thankfully), but you can certainly encourage them to do so. Here are a few ways to get more engagement on your TikTok posts for SEO success. It starts with a great hook to halt those scrolling thumbs. Use a thumbnail and some text that incites curiosity. 

Speaking of text, make sure your videos have captions. Many TikTok users binge with the sound off. Captions ensure that viewers can still understand what you’re putting out. Then, use some simple tactics, such as asking people to comment on a statement I make, jumping on new trends, and adding effects to make your posts more engaging.

Related Reading

• How Does the TikTok Algorithm Work
• TikTok Trend Discovery
• How Long Does It Take for a TikTok to Go Viral
• How to Get More Views on TikTok
• TikTok Keyword Research

Go Viral with Virlo's Virality Analysis Tool

Tons of TikTok users are looking for ideas to help them get started on the platform or to improve their existing content. While every creator should aim to develop their unique style and approach over time, it can be helpful to find inspiration from viral videos within your niche. Use the following suggestions for creating TikTok videos that will quickly get you on the path to virality. 

Jump on Trending Topics 

TikTok is all about trends. Users love to see new content on the latest trends, and there’s a good chance that your target audience will include those looking for a fresh take on the existing viral videos. Start by checking out the Discover page on TikTok to find trending topics and hashtags. You can also use a tool like Virlo to help you quickly identify which trends align with your niche, allowing you to see the best opportunities for your content. 

Create Engaging Tutorials or How-To Videos 

Tutorials and how-to videos will always have a place on TikTok. Users love to learn new things, and they especially enjoy short, digestible videos that teach them new skills or help them accomplish specific tasks. Take a look at some of the engaging tutorials within your niche, and consider how you can create fresh content that will go viral. 

Share Interesting Facts or Answer FAQs 

Most TikTok users enjoy learning new things, and they especially like videos that explain interesting concepts or share little-known facts. Consider the common questions or misconceptions within your niche and create a TikTok that educates your audience on these topics. You can use a clear voiceover to explain your points, create engaging visuals, and even add in some fun sound bites to make your content more entertaining. 

Tell a Story or Share Personal Experiences 

People connect with stories. Why not use TikTok to share your own? Regardless of your niche, you can create an engaging TikTok video that tells a compelling story. For instance, you can share your experiences with getting started in your niche, how you overcame struggles, or even some of the successes you’ve had. You can also create fictional stories that relate to your niche and share them through your TikTok account.

This is where Virlo comes in. The platform enables short-form video creators to quickly analyze trends and identify the specific combinations of elements that can help their content go viral. Go viral with Virlo's virality analysis tool.

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• How to Find TikTok Trends
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