How To Spot Trends Early and Go Viral on TikTok

Whether it’s a #GetReadyWithMe morning or a “FitTok” workout, viral TikTok trends attract millions of viewers every day. TikTok’s fast-moving nature means trends rise and fall quickly. Being able to spot emerging trends early can be the difference between going viral or missing the moment.

While going viral might seem like pure luck, it’s often the result of trendspotting and well-timed posting.

But how can you recognize TikTok trends that are in the making? What is the best time to post on TikTok to capture trending momentum? Dive into this comprehensive guide to find out.

Understanding TikTok’s viral potential

TikTok’s addictive nature is no secret. In fact, adults in the United States spend more time on TikTok than on any other social media platform. (Statista, 2023) 

Understanding the factors behind this virality is key to spotting trends early and capitalizing on them.

What makes content go viral on TikTok?

Going viral has long been a goal for content creators, but figuring out how to go viral on TikTok is different from most social media platforms.

Here are the key elements that set it apart: 

• The algorithm – TikTok’s unique algorithm is designed to recommend content based on engagement more than follower count, leading to engaging trends gaining traction quickly.
• Short-form content – Also, keep your short video formats engaging. TikTok’s algorithm tends to favor shorter videos that are easy to watch and share, typically less than 60 seconds. These bite-sized videos are designed to capture attention quickly, which boosts the chances of your content going viral. Focus on keeping your short-form videos engaging and relevant to increase visibility on the platform
• Community-driven focus – Viral trends often form as a digital “inside joke” where users can participate by recreating or building upon popular formats, sounds, or challenges

With an easy-to-use interface, simplified editing tools, and a platform perfectly tailored to Gen Z’s constant craving for fresh content, it’s no wonder TikTok is one of the hottest apps worldwide.

The importance of spotting trends early

TikTok’s fast-moving community thrives on viral trends. Creators who catch onto emerging trends early often see their videos gain momentum quickly. Understanding how TikTok’s algorithm promotes trending content can help you position your videos for success. Regularly checking TikTok Creative Center for trending topics will allow you to create timely and high-quality videos that resonate with your audience, helping you grow your following and boost your viral potential.

Best times to post on TikTok

Timing content on TikTok is tricky. Post too early, and you might miss your audience; too late, and your content could get lost in the shuffle. Thankfully, data shows there’s a magic window for viral success. 

Finding the best time to post on TikTok

Metricool’s study of over 3 million videos and 85,000 accounts identifies the best time to post on TikTok. (Metricool, 2023) Research shows that: 

• 8:00 PM on every day of the week is the most active. Saturdays are the exception, peaking at 6:00 PM instead.
• Tuesday holds the highest average number of views.
• Weekends see the most engagement, with videos receiving the most comments on Fridays and Saturdays.

While these general trends are helpful, each audience behaves differently. 

To find the best posting times for your specific followers, use TikTok’s Creator Tools. By navigating to the Analytics section under your profile, you’ll find a detailed heat map in the Followers tab that shows when your audience is most active. 

How to schedule posts for maximum engagement

Once you’ve identified the best time to post for your audience, TikTok makes it easy to schedule content in advance. TikTok’s built-in scheduling feature allows creators to schedule posts up to 10 days ahead, ensuring your content goes live when your followers are most active—even if you’re unavailable to post manually.  

Spotting TikTok trends early

Even with perfect timing, your content needs to be engaging to make an impact. One of the most effective ways to capture attention is by jumping on trends before they explode in popularity. But how do you spot these trends in their early stages?

Here are a few trendspotting tips:

• Explore the For You page to spot patterns in trending videos, audio clips, and challenges. Since this page curates content based on popularity, it’s a great starting point for identifying trends.
• Try a cross-platform analysis of similar content on platforms like YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels, as popular trends may migrate over to TikTok.
• Follow key influencers within your niche – Other creators in your niche often offer valuable insights into what’s trending. By following a TikTok influencer or engaging in influencer marketing, you can amplify your reach and stay ahead of new trends.
• ​​Pay attention to trending hashtags and TikTok challenges, as these are often signals of viral trends. Utilizing both broad and niche hashtags that align with your content will optimize your TikTok SEO and help your videos gain traction.
• Leveraging TikTok sound – Using popular TikTok sounds can make your video content more discoverable by the TikTok community. It may take time to stay ahead of every TikTok trend, but the boosted engagement from using trending sounds can significantly increase your visibility.

It sometimes takes time and effort to stay ahead of the curve, and not every trend will take off. But the boosted visibility and engagement can definitely make the effort worth it.

How to create trend-driven content

First, focus on creating content that aligns with the trend while staying authentic to your style. TikTok trends spread quickly, so stand out by adding your unique twist or personality. As a creator, your goal should be to produce content that resonates with your audience and builds brand awareness.

Next, act fast. The sooner you create and post your trend-driven content, the better your chances of becoming a key player in that trend. Use the right hashtags and audio clips to maximize your chances of being discovered.

Remember, trends come and go. If you miss one, don’t worry—another is always around the corner. Stay ready to jump on the next TikTok trend to maintain visibility and engagement.

Leveraging trends to drive traffic to your website

Going viral is exciting, but the real goal is converting that attention into website traffic and tangible results. Whether or not you’ve achieved virality, you can still use TikTok trends to drive traffic to your website by:

• Using website builder solutions by Name.com to create a landing page for people who visit your TikTok account.
• Including a call-to-action (CTA) in your TikTok captions to direct viewers to your website for more information, exclusive content, or products.
• Building a subscriber base outside of TikTok, such as through an email newsletter or personal blog.

Before you develop too much of a backlog, it’s a good idea to consolidate your offerings using a link-in-bio tool. These tools, like the ones offered by Name.com, allow you to create a single, searchable hub for your premium content, affiliate links, and sponsored material, positioning you for viral success.

How TikTok pays you for viral content

Imagine creating content for fun, and getting paid for it. That’s no dream, but a reality TikTok offers. But the process isn’t as straightforward as receiving money for every upload. 

Here’s a more comprehensive breakdown of how TikTok monetization works and how to get the most out of these earnings. For more detailed tips on maximizing your income, check out our guide on how to make money on TikTok.

Does TikTok pay you for views?

Many aspiring TikTok creators often ask: does TikTok pay you for views? The short answer is no. At least, not usually. However, there are exceptions if you:

• Have 10,000 or more followers.
• Post content with a combined total of 100,000 views over the past 30 days.
• Are at least 18 years old.

Meeting these standards qualifies you for the Creator Rewards Program, which lets you get paid for content that meets certain conditions. (TikTok, 2023) You can also take advantage of brand partnerships, sponsors, and live gifts, allowing you to monetize your creativity and content. 

Maximizing your earnings on TikTok

If you’re earning (or interested in earning) through TikTok, there are several ways you can maximize your income: 

• Engagement –  The more followers and engagement you have, the higher your chances of earning through Creator Rewards or brand deals.
• Consistency – Posting consistently keeps your content visible and increases the chances of your videos going viral.
• Collaborations – Partnering with other TikTok creators can expose you to new audiences and boost your follower count.

Try experimenting with more diverse content, or promoting your TikTok on other platforms, to appeal to a broader audience. 

Building a digital presence beyond TikTok

To truly profit from your success, it’s essential to think beyond just TikTok. A strong online presence can include a branded website, blogs, email newsletters, and other content streams that work together to strengthen your brand and business.

Why you need a website as a TikTok creator

While TikTok is an excellent platform for reaching a wide audience, the momentum from your engagement can be channeled through your personal website to:

• Share longer-form content that doesn’t fit TikTok’s format.
• Monetize and sell products, services, or other digital content directly.
• Add credibility to your brand, potentially helping you secure partnerships and sponsors.

Ultimately, a website consolidates your best content and provides a platform where followers can engage with you on a deeper level.

Integrating your website with TikTok

Your website doesn’t necessarily need to compete with your TikTok account. In fact, the two can work in harmony for a seamless digital presence. 

To effectively integrate a personal website into your TikTok strategy, here are a few final tips:

• Leverage the “link in bio” feature with a tool like Hopp by Wix that is built for monetizing social media content.. 
• Include a clear CTA in your TikTok videos that directs users to your website for more in-depth content, special offers, or services.
• Focus on delivering valuable content tailored to your audience to maximize interest.

This lets you show up more easily on search engines, expand your content, and build followers outside of TikTok while maintaining your following in the app.

Mastering the art of going viral on TikTok

Success on TikTok lies in spotting trends early and posting at the optimal time. You can then capitalize on this success with a link in bio website, capturing and monetizing the attention you’ve worked so hard to achieve. 

By integrating TikTok into your website, building a lasting digital presence, and consistently engaging with your audience, you can convert virality into long-term success. 

To help you get there, Name.com offers a range of tools to build your online presence. 

Secure your domain name, create a website tailored to your needs, and add a professional touch with email hosting solutions—all designed to help you turn TikTok fame into sustainable, lasting growth. 

 

Sources: 

Statista. Share of time spent among TikTok users in the United States engaging with social media apps as of February 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1377051/us-tiktok-users-time-spent-social-media-apps/

Metricool. TikTok Study September 2023. https://metricool.com/tiktok-study/

TikTok. Creator Rewards Program. https://support.tiktok.com/en/business-and-creator/creator-rewards-program/creator-rewards-program