Viral Video Trends on Social Media: What's Hot Now

Short-form videos are dominating social media platforms, with TikTok's 15-second clips being a major player in the game.

TikTok's algorithm favors content that performs well in the first few seconds, often referred to as the "hook" of a video.

Users are spending more time watching videos that are 15 seconds or less, with 55% of TikTok users saying they prefer shorter videos.

Influencers are leveraging this trend by creating bite-sized content that's both entertaining and informative.

Ariana Grande's 2018 hit "Sweetener" has resurfaced as the top trending song on TikTok, with creators crafting dance videos that build anticipation leading up to the energetic chorus.

Mobile devices are responsible for 75% of all video plays, and over 90% of users who consume video on mobile devices share the content with others. This highlights the importance of taking a mobile-first approach to video production.

Watching videos by other creators is a great way to identify trends and brainstorm content ideas. This can be done by scrolling through Reels or the TikTok FYP and listening for content patterns.

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Vertical video has a 90% higher completion rate than horizontal videos, making it a popular choice for creators. Instagram Stories, which were one of the first vertical video features, have proven to generate higher levels of engagement due to their time-sensitive nature.

Halloween has come early this year with the release of the new Beetlejuice movie, with one soundbite from the soundtrack becoming the #2 trending song on TikTok. This highlights the importance of staying up-to-date with current events and trends.

The social world has embraced a 2-month-old pygmy hippo in Thailand as a "lifestyle icon", with creators making music mashups, hippo makeup tutorials, and even an SNL appearance.

Social media trends are ephemeral content types that capture the attention of a broad audience and can quickly spread across all major social media platforms. They come in many forms, including discussion topics, memes, short-form videos, and challenges.

Instagram Stories have become a huge hit with over 500 million people using them every day. This feature has influenced other social media platforms to adopt similar content types.

Vertical video is a key aspect of Instagram Stories, with a 90% higher completion rate than horizontal videos. This orientation is now widely used across various platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube.

The shift in media consumption towards mobile phones has led to an increase in short, succinct, and to-the-point video content. This is reflected in the popularity of Instagram Stories and other video-based social platforms like TikTok and Snapchat.

Additional reading: Is Snapchat a Social Media

Catchy remixes of music often start trending on social media, especially during holidays like Halloween. Creators are using these tracks for various Halloween-themed content.

The top trending Halloween tracks on TikTok's Creative Center include Spooky, Scary Skeletons (House VIP Remix) at #2, Monster Mash at #7, and This is Halloween at #10.

If you're looking for trending sounds, try watching videos by other creators on Instagram and TikTok. Listen for content patterns and check the audio title that appears at the bottom of the video.

Here are the top trending Halloween tracks from TikTok's Creative Center:

Instagram just unveiled 'Trial Reels', a feature that allows users to test new content ideas by sharing reels exclusively with non-followers initially. This approach encourages experimentation, enabling creators to venture beyond their usual content styles.

Creators receive engagement metrics, such as views, likes, comments, and shares, 24 hours post-sharing. This helps them decide whether to present the reel to their followers.

Sharing reels with non-followers initially helps creators gather insights without impacting their main audience.

Snapchat is still operating at a net loss, but it's not letting that hold it back. The platform has 432M active users, making it number seven in the platform charts.

Snapchat is known for its disappearing video USP and young user base. This demographic is driving the 25% increase in video consumption seen this year.

Snapchat is hoping to capitalize on this trend by optimizing video engagement and increasing ad revenue. To do this, the platform is introducing a redesigned interface and a unified friend/creator video feed.

The new AI-powered algorithm is designed to serve users with more relevant content, which should improve video engagement.

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Social media platforms are constantly evolving, and it's exciting to see new features being introduced. Instagram's "Test Before You Post" feature, for instance, allows creators to share reels with non-followers first, gathering insights without impacting their main audience.

Some social media trends have been popular on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. For example, vertical video has become a norm, with 90% higher completion rates than horizontal videos.

The popularity of video content is evident, with 75% of all video plays happening on mobile devices. This is why taking a mobile-first approach to video production is crucial, especially when developing a video strategy.

TikTok has become the fastest-growing social media platform, with over 800 million active users worldwide. Its focus on entertainment has led to the creation of engaging content, often with less polish but more creativity. This has made it a hub for creators and influencers.

Instagram Reels have been one of the most engaging video formats since their launch in 2020. They allow creators to produce short in-feed videos with audio and music, generating 49% more engagement than photo posts.

Here are some popular social media platforms and their age demographics:

Trending audio clips on TikTok often start with catchy remixes of music, movies, and TV shows with nostalgia featuring prominently. For instance, Ariana Grande's 2018 hit "Sweetener" has resurfaced as the top trending song on TikTok, with creators crafting dance videos that build anticipation leading up to the energetic chorus.

Social Mention is a tool that allows trend tracking across multiple social platforms. It can help you identify where a particular keyword or phrase is most popular and provide metrics like sentiment analysis.

YouTube is now seeing a rise in videos over 20 minutes, mimicking traditional TV programming with 8.5 million videos uploaded in 2024, up from 1.3 million in 2022.

Facebook is dominated by Millennials and older Gen Z members, with 51.3% of users between 25-44. This age range may dictate the success of videos on the platform.

TikTok, on the other hand, has a diverse age demographic, with 36.2% of users between 18-24 and 33.9% between 25-34. It also has a significant percentage of users aged 45-65+, making up 29.9% of users.

Instagram and TikTok are great places to identify trends and brainstorm content ideas by watching videos from other creators.

YouTube Shorts are a game-changer for creators and viewers alike. They're 60-second vertical videos optimized for mobile viewing, similar to TikTok and Instagram Stories.

To create engaging Shorts, focus on keeping it short and sweet, with clips no more than 15 seconds long. This allows users to watch in their Stories or newsfeeds.

You can also make snappy, 15-second videos and capture and edit multiple clips using YouTube Shorts. It offers various creative features such as video tools, music, speed controls, and a timer.

Shorts are displayed on YouTube's homepage via the Shorts shelf as well as on users' channels. They're becoming one of YouTube's hottest trends, generating over 15 Billion daily average views globally.

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To give you an idea of just how popular Shorts are, here are some key stats:

With mobile devices dominating the online landscape, it's no wonder YouTube is bending to that user preference by introducing features that optimize the experience for their busy users.

The average video duration on YouTube is quickly mimicking traditional TV programming. This shift is largely driven by the rise of connected TV, where audiences increasingly consume content from the comfort of their couches.

The volume of videos uploaded to YouTube each month over the 20+ minute mark has increased from 1.3M in 2022 to 8.5M in 2024. This significant jump suggests that creators are feeling empowered to produce longer-form content.

As audiences grow accustomed to watching longer videos, creators are responding by producing more in-depth content. This change is a testament to the evolving nature of online video consumption.

The shift towards longer-form content on YouTube is a notable trend that will likely continue to shape the platform's landscape.

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Going live on social media is a game-changer. 1 million Instagram users watch live video every day, and live streams make up one in five Facebook videos posted on the platform.

Live video is dominating social media, and it's not hard to see why. It allows anyone to get in the action, no matter where they are in the world. The format is fast becoming the new normal for many industries, particularly fashion, music, and entertainment.

To ensure your stream is clear and crisp, good lighting and the right equipment are key. You can also use greenscreen effects to make your live stream stand out. While it's easy to live stream from your smartphone, setting up to go live directly from a professional camera can give you that extra level of professionalism.

Using on-screen graphics can take your live video to the next level. These graphics can emphasize the areas of the screen that you want users to focus on, making your content more engaging and effective.

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Facebook is dominated by Millennials and the older members of Gen Z, with 51.3% of users between the ages of 25-44.

Instagram and TikTok have different trends and audiences, with some overlap, and each caters to a different age range.

TikTok's age demographic is very diverse, with the largest age groups being 18-24 (36.2%) and 25-34 (33.9%).

Facebook has the largest percentage of users aged 45-65+ among the three main social platforms, making up 25.7% of users in that age range.

TikTok has the largest percentage of users aged 45-65+ among the three main social platforms, making up 29.9% of users in that age range, with Instagram having even less (16.2%).

TikTok's Symphony Creative Studio is revolutionizing how brands create content, making it faster and easier to craft branded content that fits right into TikTok.

Marketers can skip the heavy lifting with TikTok's AI-powered suite, producing TikTok-ready clips with just a few taps.

The AI-powered suite offers several features, including generating and remixing videos, creating personalized campaigns with avatars, translating and dubbing videos, adding TikTok-style captions and effects, and even generating fresh video ideas daily.

Leaving the guesswork out of content strategy is possible with AI-powered tools like Virlo, which analyzes the latest viral trends and helps creators understand when to post and what combinations of elements drive engagement.

Virlo's virality analysis tool enables creators to navigate the ever-changing algorithms to increase their chances of going viral.

You can also leverage AI to uncover social media trends and automate aspects of social management, boosting productivity by 40% with tools like Linkfluence and Cortex.

Joining in on popular trends can be a great way to draw attention to your brand and lead more social media users toward your content.

Here's a breakdown of some AI-powered marketing tools that can help you create viral content:

Going Viral is a dream come true for many content creators. Virlo offers a Virality Analysis Tool that helps short-form content creators understand and leverage virality through AI-powered trend analysis.

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This tool combines creator insights with advanced analytics to identify winning content patterns.

Optimal posting times are crucial for success, and Virlo's analysis can help you find the best times to post.

Successful audio/video combinations can also make or break your content, and Virlo's platform can help you identify what works.

By using Virlo's Virality Analysis Tool, you can create content that stands out in today's fast-moving social landscape.

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Mobile-first video production is a must in today's social media landscape. Mobile devices are responsible for 75% of all video plays.

To adopt a mobile-first strategy, consider producing clips no more than 15 seconds long, perfect for users to watch in their Stories or newsfeeds.

TikTokers are diving into nostalgia with the 'Time on a Random Day' trend, showcasing cherished holiday moments amid daily routines. Set to a slowed-down version of SZA's "Good Days", these clips exude a serene, carefree vibe.

This trend is a great example of repurposing past footage, making it a hit among those eager to relive and share their golden memories. Creators enhance this sentiment by overlaying timestamps, adding a personal touch to their throwbacks.

If you're looking to create a similar trend, listen for content patterns when scrolling through Reels or the TikTok FYP. Are you hearing the same songs or audio clips time and time again? If so, they're probably on their way to becoming popular trends!

To get started, check the audio title that appears at the bottom of the video. This will give you an idea of what's currently trending and what you can use as inspiration for your own content.

Mobile-First Video Production is a must for creators who want to reach their audience effectively. The majority of video plays come from mobile devices, accounting for 75% of all video plays.

To prioritize mobile users, you should take a mobile-first approach to video production. This means considering how your content will be consumed on smaller screens.

Mobile devices are responsible for over 90% of users who consume video and share the content with others. This makes mobile-first video production a crucial aspect of creating engaging content.

Adopting a mobile-first strategy involves considering the unique characteristics of mobile devices, such as smaller screens and shorter attention spans.

Mobile devices are responsible for 75% of all video plays, making a mobile-first approach to video production crucial for awareness, engagement, and conversions.

Keep your videos short and sweet, as producing clips no more than 15 seconds long allows users to watch them in their Stories or newsfeeds.

Instagram Stories have a 90% higher completion rate than horizontal videos, making vertical video the preferred orientation for mobile consumption.

With mobile devices dominating the online landscape, YouTube has introduced features that optimize the experience for busy users, such as YouTube Shorts, which are 60-second vertical videos.

These short-form videos are displayed on YouTube's homepage and on users' channels, generating over 15 Billion daily average views globally.

Take a look at this: Google Short Videos

Reels and Challenges are a staple of social media, and for good reason - they're fun, engaging, and can help you grow your account.

Dua Lipa's "Pickle & jalapeño juice with Coca-Cola" drink challenge is a great example of how a simple idea can go viral. Dua Lipa shared her guilty pleasure on TikTok, and before long, people were recreating the concoction with mixed results.

Dance challenges are another type of Reel that's super popular. These challenges involve learning a short choreography of a song and then creating your rendition of it. Popular dance challenge songs include "The Git Up" by Blanco Brown and "Renegade" by K Camp.

The Mannequin Challenge is a great example of how a trend can spread quickly worldwide. In 2016, people would freeze suddenly in mid-action while music played until the camera traveled around the entire group.

To get involved in Reels and challenges, you can start by finding trending content. On TikTok and Instagram, trends change quickly, so it's essential to stay on top of what's popular. You can find trending content by listening to popular audio clips and saving them to use as soundtracks for your own videos.

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Instagram and TikTok trending sounds offer plenty of scope for creativity. Save popular audio clips to use as soundtracks for your own videos, and remember to use them before the trend becomes old news.

Both Instagram and TikTok enable you to save the sounds you like for later. When you land on a trend, save the audio and remember to use it before the trend becomes old news.

Ariana Grande's "Sweetener" has resurfaced as the top trending song on TikTok, sparking a new dance trend. Creators are crafting dance videos that build anticipation leading up to the energetic chorus, "And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (ayy)…".

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TikTok's Symphony Creative Studio is a game-changer for brands looking to create content on the platform.

With its AI-powered tools, marketers can skip the heavy lifting and produce TikTok-ready clips in minutes. The suite includes features like Generate & Remix Videos, Avatar Videos, and Translate & Dub Videos.

These tools let marketers personalize campaigns and reach a wider audience by using stock or custom avatars to speak over 30 languages. The Video Editor feature adds TikTok-style captions, effects, and music to elevate existing content.

Daily Video Generations, another feature, provides fresh, tailored video ideas based on the brand's activity every day. This can be a huge time-saver for marketers who need to create content regularly.

Virlo's Virality Analysis Tool is another valuable resource for creators looking to understand and leverage virality through AI-powered trend analysis. The platform combines creator insights with advanced analytics to identify winning content patterns.

Here are some key features of Virlo's Virality Analysis Tool:

By using these tools and analyzing their performance, creators can refine their content strategy and increase their chances of going viral on social media.