TikTok Trends for 2025 & Beyond

TikTok is one social media site where you cannot drop the ball on trends. The app thrives on trends, pushing those who keep up with the latest challenges and editing styles to the top of the coveted FYP. But while some TikTok trends such as dances and sounds often can't be predicted, other trends, such as content types, can be. By keeping up to date with the trends for the upcoming year, you'll differentiate yourself from the pack. No more trailing behind - other content creators will be desperately keeping up with you.

Let's dive in to the TikTok trends we can expect to see in 2025.

It's been clear for a while now that TikTok really want users to sell via the app. And it makes sense. Not only does it draw more content creators who want to make an income through as many different streams as possible, but it also means consumers can purchase products without even having to leave the app - perfect for TikTok executives who want to keep users hooked.

Given this push for in-app shopping, we can see TikTok shop becoming increasingly popular, with many content creators selling via this method as a way to make extra cash alongside paid brand collaborations and the Creator Fund. If you're a content creator, don't panic about increased competition - each creator has their own niche and you can use TikTok Shop to engage your core audience.

If you don't have enough followers to consider a TikTok shop to be worthwhile, consider buying more followers while your long-term plan pays off.

Sustainability was pushed to the back of the minds of consumers in the last few years because of a rise in the cost of living, but now that interest rates and costs are coming down, purchasing more eco-friendly products is a priority once again. You don't have to be an eco influencer, but it does mean that considering sustainability when you post your content or agree to work with brands is becoming more important.

You can make small changes for this to be effective. If you're a recipe creator, for example, consider swapping out a few meaty recipes for plant-based ones.

Ten years ago, an 'influencer' was somebody paid to wear nice clothes, go to parties, and take pictures for brands. Nowadays, we're more likely to use the phrase content creator because it better reflects what modern influencers do. Instead of looking to influencers just for brand shout-outs or fashion inspiration, an increasing number of consumers are looking to creators to add real value in their lives. If you have a skill or expertise, use this in your content to ensure you enrich the lives of viewers.

If you're a small content creator and want your authenticity to reach more followers, buying views and likes will give you an algorithmic boost on to people's FYP.

AI is more popular than ever in almost all aspects of our lives, but especially in social media. On TikTok, this will manifest in more content that is either made completely using AI or uses AI as part of the creation and editing content. This doesn't mean you have to use AI-generated content - but you might benefit from using AI tools to make your content creation quicker and easier.

There are also rumours that TikTok may start to use AI more heavily for search, which would be an interesting adjustment to the app.

If there's one thing people come onto TikTok for, it's stories. While TikTok started as a super-short video sharing platform, the length of the videos has increased over time, making it a better social media space for sharing stories. Sure, you still shouldn't be uploading 30-minute rants (it isn't YouTube), but you can take advantage of this increase to tell more stories, allowing you to better connect with your audience.

As well as telling literal stories (playlists and multiple parts can keep people coming back), we expect to see storytelling adopted more frequently as a way for brands to share their products, mission, and ethos.

Before you panic - you don't need to be making Oscar-worthy content to be relevant on TikTok in 2025. The app will always be a home for people who make authentic, naturalistic content. But one editing technique we can expect to see more of is cinematic content. Think back to that 'Wes Anderson Style' content we saw a year ago. Cinematic, highly-produced content will become more popular, whether that's ASMR cooking videos with high-quality close-ups or a 'Day in the Life' video that uses cinematic editing styles.

So, we've already come a long way from the 'obvious influencer ad'. By that I mean, content creators no longer tend to post ads that are obviously ads. And this trend is only going to get more pronounced.

Rather than format an ad video like a sales pitch for the product they're promoting, you can expect to see creators including the products naturally as a part of their video. For example, a food creator promoting a sauce will use it in a recipe, rather than giving a three-minute speech about how great the sauce is, which is an obvious ploy to get you to buy it. Marketing will become subtler than ever.

These are just some of the trends we predict for 2025, but naturally there will be plenty more that happen organically. Keep an eye on trending hashtags as well as the types of videos that come up on your FYP and jump on trends straight away - as long as they're compatible with your content and platform, of course.