Everyone is familiar with TikTok these days, as the platform launched in 2016 has gained the public’s interest by providing them with the chance to watch and create short-form videos. TikTok is nowadays often defined as a hub for entertainment because most users produce and watch funny content. However, the platform provides all kinds of content, and while funny videos are by far the most captivating, they’re not the only ones available or popular. Many organisations have jumped on board and have started using it to educate the public and promote their services.
TikTok is available for Android and iOS and is the first non-Meta-owned app to reach this level of popularity. Most of its growth has stemmed during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were isolated inside their homes and were looking for entertainment sources. Statista reveals that TikTok registered 180% growth among users aged 15-25 during the peak of the pandemic.
The app relies on hashtags to enable users to categorise the content they want to browse. TikTok revealed that entertainment is the most popular category, followed by dance, pranks, sports, and home decorations.
Suppose you want to create content for TikTok to build an audience and maybe even monetize it; here are the most trending categories.
Entertainment
As mentioned earlier, entertainment has always been the most popular content category on TikTok, which triggered its skyrocketing success. People were bored during the pandemic and in search of anything that could entertain them, and TikTok delivered them with everything they needed. In the beginning, the app was marketed as a means of online entertainment, and it evolved to provide other kinds of content as its audience diversified and the content creators experimented with other types of videos.
Even the entertainment category contains numerous niches to fit the preferences of an extensive public with different needs. From duets to skits, challenges, and basic humorous videos, they all cater to a specific public.
There’s nothing more addictive than searching through the entertainment category because users find tons of exciting content. However, for content creators, it’s challenging to stand apart if they want to engage with the audience looking for entertainment because the platform is saturated with this kind of content. Often, their best solution is to buy followers from platforms like TikCeleb so they can expose the audiences to their content and benefit from the power of word-of-mouth. Word-of-mouth functions differently online, in the terms that TikTok users share the content they find interesting with their friends and send the videos through messages inside and outside the app.
Dance
Besides entertainment, the app also promoted the DanceTok section since its launch. Content creators took advantage of it to engage with their audience. TikTok influencers use popular songs to create dance choreographies and encourage their followers to recreate them. The app also offers the remix feature, so users can provide their version of a dance side by side with the original video.
The dance category on TikTok is also rich in diverse content to match different preferences and skill levels. Content creators can produce videos showing from simple foot-shuffling to complex choreographed dances.
Once a tune gains popularity on the platform, influencers worldwide use it to present their versions of dances, and usually, one or two choreographies stand out. Their audiences will recreate the dances and share the content, bringing fame to both the music artist and TikTok influencer.
Fitness
Fitness experts use TikTok to educate the audience and gain new clients. They usually share their workouts on the platform and provide free tips to capture prospects’ attention. Fitness is one of the most popular categories on TikTok and has enabled enthusiasts and experts to build communities. While some fitness influencers adhere to the entertainment category to capture their public’s attention, others stick to providing educational content because their purpose is to help people build healthier lifestyles, not solely to grow their follower base.
Home Renovation
Most people can’t afford to hire architects and interior designers, but they long to live in houses similar to those they admire online. Therefore, they turn to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok for inspiration and tips. And while a top-ranked architect might not have time to create daily TikTok videos, those at the beginning of their career or those who make an income from providing online assistance will use social networks to promote their services. The hashtags #homerenovation, #DIYhome and #homereno are the most popular in the home renovation category.
Skincare and beauty
People’s interest in skincare and beauty has increased over the last few years, mostly due to the perfect images influencers promote online. Therefore, online users won’t miss the opportunity to gain knowledge about the subject when it’s delivered to them freely. #Beautytok has become one of the most popular categories on the platform, which allows influencers and even beauty professionals to create viral content. The app also helped many brands to rise to fame because people are more willing to purchase new products after they see them promoted online.
The skincare and beauty content found on TikTok caters to all needs, and people have no issue finding videos that teach them how to style their hair, treat skin issues, and create beauty routines.
Fashion
The beauty and fashion niches are closely related, so it’s only natural for TikTok users to search for inspiration online for how to style their outfits. Over the past few years, TikTok has become a great source of inspiration for people who need assistance to put outfits together.
Fashion influencers promote their favourite brands, teach their followers how to mix and match different pieces, and encourage people to find their unique sense of style. The fashion content available on TikTok inspires everyone, and the hashtags #fashion and #fashiontiktok have millions of views.
Final words
Cooking, life hacks, pranks, and pets and animals are other popular categories. Content creators who want to build an audience and retain followers need to identify their niche and post consistently so they can engage with their public.
