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With a projection of reaching over 2 billion worldwide active users for 2024, TikTok has become a cultural powerhouse, setting trends across music, fashion, and even politics.
TikTok’s vibrant ecosystem thrives on diverse content, where creators with shared interests naturally fall into specific categories. These categories are shaped by the strategic use of hashtags, trending keywords and sounds, and the algorithm’s ability to group related content. Understanding TikTok categories and identifying the most popular ones can help creators like you showcase relatable content effectively.
When like-minded individuals post about their passions, they create a sense of community within their platform that fosters engagement and discovery. For instance, TikTok users interested in fitness, beauty, or tech reviews often rely on category-specific tags like #FitnessTips, #BeautyHacks, or #TechTalk to find relatable content.
Exploring TikTok’s most popular categories reveals insights into audience behavior, emerging trends, and opportunities for creators to add value to their niche. From viral dance challenges and educational content to niche communities like BookTok or ArtTok, understanding these categories allows creators to optimize their content strategy and grow their influence on the platform.
An interest focused algorithm challenged creators to expand their creativity more than ever, and the ability to entertain has not been overlooked by TikTok.
Entertainment has been one of the most popular TikTok categories since the app launched in 2016, with comedic skit creators like Delaney Rowe leading the way with her unique take on coming-of-age and indie movie girl skits.
From comedic skits and pranks to relatable memes and viral challenges, this category thrives on dynamic storytelling and exaggerated humor to captivate viewers.
Creators who consistently post in this category see rapid growth. Delaney's blend of nostalgia, exaggerated personalities, and relatable content has helped her build a loyal following, with many of her videos going viral due to their shareability and appeal to young audiences.
From TikTok’s early stages, dance has consistently ranked among the top five most-viewed categories on the platform. Dance challenges, choreographed routines, and freestyle performances dominate this niche, keeping audiences engaged and inspiring widespread participation.
One of TikTok’s most recognizable stars, Charli D’Amelio, skyrocketed to fame by sharing her dance routines and is now the second most-followed person on the app.
As a competitive dancer, she brought her skills to TikTok, gaining massive popularity and evolving into a social media personality with projects like The D’Amelio Show and making her broadway debut in “& Juliet”.
The dance category’s virality is fueled by trends tied to popular music, where creators like Charli set the tone for global participation, making it one of TikTok's most enduring and impactful niches.
For a fast-paced ruling environment, aesthetics didn’t get left behind when it comes to TikTok.
The platform has become a hub for makeup tutorials, skincare routines, get ready with me (GRWM) videos, outfit challenges, thrift hauls, and seasonal styling tips.
One standout creator is Paloma, whose NYX Cold Brew liner dupe series garnered over 12 million views, captivating beauty enthusiasts with her relatable and resourceful content.
Beauty and fashion creators leverage TikTok's short-form video style to showcase product reviews, transformations, and hacks that resonate with a wide audience, making this category a staple for inspiration and trends.
Fitness content has become a major player on TikTok, offering a mix of inspiration, education, and entertainment. Creators use the platform to share workout routines, fitness challenges, quick exercise hacks, and motivational progress updates, making fitness accessible and engaging for users of all levels.
According to the Wix Fitness blog (https://www.wix.com/blog/fitness/fitness-tiktok-tips), trending content includes short workout demos, time-lapse fitness progress videos, and educational clips debunking common myths.
Creators like Rebecca Louise have built strong followings by sharing unique perspectives, from beginner-friendly routines to strength-training tips for enthusiasts, often accompanied by popular hashtags like #FitnessTok and #WorkoutChallenge.
Food content thrives on TikTok, offering quick recipes, meal-prep hacks, and aesthetic food presentations. Creators like Joanne share visually stunning recipes paired with personal storytelling, making their videos both engaging and informative.
Trends like "one-pan dinners" and "duet cooking" keep users coming back for simple yet exciting ideas.
TikTok foodies such as Sarah have also gained popularity for their unique twists on desserts, turning viral recipes into must-tries for millions.
DIY and home renovation content has exploded, offering budget-friendly solutions and creative inspiration. Creators like Shannon showcase room makeovers with step-by-step guides that are easy to follow.
Popular themes include IKEA hacks, small-space transformations, and upcycling old furniture. For instance, Kara shares vibrant, color-filled projects that have earned her a loyal audience looking for fun and practical ideas.
Life advice content thrives on TikTok, offering relatable and actionable tips for personal growth and well-being. Creators like Jeff provide approachable insights into topics like emotional health, relationships, and setting boundaries.
Popular formats include quick tips, storytelling, and response videos to audience questions. Jeff’s engaging delivery and professional expertise have helped him build a loyal following, making complex ideas about mental health easy to understand and apply.
For a quick laugh or creative April fools’ ideas, TikTok pranks excel on quality and creativity. These videos often rely on relatable humor and unexpected twists to keep audiences entertained and eager to share.
Creators like Nick use quirky, over-the-top setups to pull off pranks that are both hilarious and unpredictable, while Shammi is known for his bold, high-energy stunts that leave viewers laughing and shocked.
Trending formats include “prank reveals,” where the punchline is held until the very end, and “collaborative pranks,” where creators rope in friends or family for hilarious reactions. Hashtags like #PrankTok and #FunnyPranks boost discoverability, allowing even casual pranksters to reach wide audiences.
Successful prank content often plays with universal themes, ensuring its humor resonates globally while keeping the tone lighthearted and fun.
ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) is a phenomenon where certain sounds or visuals trigger a relaxing, tingling sensation, often felt on the scalp or spine. This content is designed to calm and soothe, with creators using soft-spoken voices, tapping, crinkling, and other satisfying sounds to provide sensory relaxation.
ASMR surfaced on TikTok and quickly gained massive popularity, especially with the rise of live-stream formats where creators can interact with their audience in real-time. Creators like Daja, who reviews products in an ASMR style, and Sandria, known for cinematic ASMR, have captivated audiences by combining soothing sounds with immersive visuals.
Under the #ASMR hashtag, creators connect with viewers seeking a relaxing experience, making it a standout niche for relaxation and sensory engagement.
(Sources: Social Pilot and The Social Shepherd)
In terms of engagement, the average rate on TikTok is 5.95%, and 90% of TikTok users say they open the app multiple times a day.
(Source: https://bind.media/insights/tiktok-ads-statistics-you-need-to-know-in-2024)
According to platforms like Vidico and The Influencer Marketing Hub, these are the TikTok niches with the most engagement in 2024. In this case, each niche was identified based on trends and audience behaviours, and are areas in which creators can focus their content for better visibility and interaction
Transcending language, dance routines the ultimate universal content for TikTok challenges. These create a sense of community and foster high shareability.
For creators, pairing their dance content with trending music, dueting other dancers, or creating unique moves can drive virality.
This niche thrives on relatability and authenticity, showcasing daily routines of students, entrepreneurs, or even brands.
These videos blur the line between creator and audience, offering a personal, emotional connection.
Creators can use this format to build trust and foster deeper relationships with their audience.
Sensory-focused videos, specifically ASMR, provide a calming and satisfying experience.
The popularity of this content lies in its ability to evoke a strong emotional connection, making it highly engaging.
The strong emotional resonance of ASMR videos is reflected in the overwhelming number of heartfelt comments from followers expressing their appreciation and love for the content.
Many share how these videos help them relax, sleep better, or feel less stressed, creating a loyal and interactive community around the creator's work.
The rising interest in eco-friendly lifestyles has made sustainability a popular niche.
Tips on DIY projects, upcycling, and sustainable swaps resonate strongly with TikTok’s socially conscious Gen Z audience.
Creators partnering with eco-friendly brands can boost both engagement and social impact.
Combining educational content like how-tos and tutorials with entertaining skits, make learning fun and accessible.
Creators can simplify complex topics while showcasing their expertise in a light-hearted way, targeting TikTok’s authentic tone, and their casual humor and creativity involved ensure higher watch times and shares.
ASMR creators excel in TikTok’s live stream format by offering real-time, sensory-focused content tailored to audience requests that can last for hours. This personalized interaction creates a deep connection as audiences can interact with creators giving live feedback and sending virtual gifts.
Creators like Cherwarut (@white_spa_cher) thrive on live streams by incorporating unique soundscapes and engaging directly with fans, creating an immersive and highly engaging experience.
Entertainment thrives when creators involve their audience, often sourcing ideas directly from comments.
For example, Jake Shane (@octopusslover8) uses skits inspired by followers’ suggestions, crafting relatable and hilarious content. This collaborative approach builds a sense of community and keeps viewers invested in the creator’s next move.
True crime storytelling has a dedicated TikTok audience that craves suspenseful, bite-sized narratives. Creators break down criminal cases, mysteries, or historical events into compelling, easily digestible parts.
Using suspenseful tone and well-paced delivery, creators like Charley (@charleybournetruecrime) immerse viewers with dramatic storytelling, providing a mix of mystery, history, and intrigue that sparks curiosity and discussion.
Behind-the-scenes content offers a sneak peek into the exclusive world of fashion, from runway rehearsals to pre-show preparations.
Creators like Lara (@lara_cosima) earn followers by sharing moments from fashion weeks, including backstage interactions with designers and models, and candid styling sessions.
This type of content resonates with TikTok users because it provides a raw and personal glimpse into an otherwise elite industry, fostering relatability and curiosity while building stronger audience connections.
Format: Videos created by followers or fans, featuring collaborations or participatory challenges.
Viral Potential: Very high.
Why It Works: Research by TikTok's Creator Marketplace found that videos involving collaborations or participatory challenges saw up to 50% higher engagement than solo content. Creators who encourage followers to participate in challenges, share their own content, or use branded hashtags benefit from increased visibility and a more loyal following.
User-generated content is one of the most powerful tools for increasing engagement and building a loyal audience. When followers create and share their own content in response to a challenge or branded hashtag, it not only boosts engagement but also increases the potential for viral growth.
Format: Videos that integrate viral music or sound clips.
Viral Potential: Very high.
Why It Works: When focusing on an audiovisual platform, research by Hootsuite highlights that music and sound integration is one of the most significant drivers of virality on TikTok.
The TikTok algorithm is designed to promote videos that incorporate popular sounds, often leading to greater visibility. Creators can leverage viral sounds to create unique takes on popular trends, making their content more relatable and shareable.
Format: Duets, where creators interact with or react to existing content.
Viral Potential: High.
Why It Works: Statista found that reaction videos and duets represent over 15% of all TikTok videos, and their viral potential has only increased. Duets allow creators to collaborate in real time, whether it's adding commentary to another user's post or participating in a multi-creator conversation.
Duets and reaction videos give creators an easy way to engage with trending content while showcasing their personality.
It's a great way to tap into existing viral trends or offer a fresh perspective on something that's already popular.
According to Metricool, these are some of the trending TikTok hashtags by Category of this week.
Adding hashtags into TikTok captions can increase content visibility to those users who aren't yet engaged followers. By using hashtags that relate to the video's theme, creators can attract individuals who are already interested in that topic.
The content type and category creators choose can either help build a strong, engaged community or allow them to quickly gain followers and visibility, depending on what their specific goals are.
It directly impacts how their content is received and how effectively they can achieve these goals. Whether your goal is to increase engagement, grow your followers, or build a personal brand, selecting the right category and content type can make a big difference.
If you're aiming to turn your TikTok success into financial growth, check out these 10 ways influencers can make money on tiktok and learn to take actionable steps to monetize your presence, aligning your goals with potential income opportunities.
These content types encourage interaction. When you participate in trending challenges or use popular hashtags, your content becomes more discoverable to others, even those who don't follow you yet. Plus, duets and collaborations make your content more interactive, which drives engagement.
Educational videos or "how-to" content attract people who are looking to learn something new. If your content offers value, viewers are more likely to follow you for more. Tutorials also encourage people to come back for new tips and advice.
Personal brand content lets your followers understand what you have to offer and connect with you on a deeper level. Sharing glimpses of your life, creative process, or behind-the-scenes moments helps humanize your profile and build trust with your audience.
Using popular sounds and hopping on viral trends is one of the fastest ways to get your content seen by a larger audience. TikTok’s algorithm often prioritizes trending content, so if you join in on a hot trend, your video could quickly become viral.
Demi is a fitness influencer known for her incredible strength and inspiring journey. After overcoming a severe injury, she embraced CrossFit and calisthenics, sharing jaw-dropping feats of strength.
Her content includes creative workouts and inspirational messages, showing her audience how to push physical limits and stay motivated. Demi's success in the fitness niche highlights her ability to blend inspiring empowerment with actionable content.
Wisdom is renowned as one of the best-dressed influencers on TikTok. His unique blend of high fashion and streetwear has earned him collaborations with luxury brands like Dior and Fendi.
His content resonates with audiences interested in accessible yet stylish fashion, where he showcases trendy looks and personal style advice. His ability to merge diverse fashion elements helps him cater to both everyday fashion lovers and high-end brand enthusiasts.
Apart from being the most followed user on TikTok, Khaby Lame is a Gen Z sensation known for his hilarious, no-nonsense approach to life hacks and over-complicated tutorials. His signature silent reactions, where he simplifies absurd or overly complicated solutions, have resonated with millions worldwide.
Khaby’s ability to create universally understood humor makes his content incredibly shareable and easily accessible across countries.
Reaching 2 billion active users globally and an average engagement rate of 5.95%, TikTok has proven to be a hub of creativity and connection. Its diverse categories, from dance and comedy to fitness and education, offer endless opportunities for creators to grow their influence and connect with like-minded audiences. By understanding the platform’s niches and leveraging trending formats, you can optimize your TikTok strategy, maximize engagement, and turn your passion into a thriving presence in this dynamic digital space.
For those looking to take their TikTok journey a step further, explore Creator Hero’s guide on how to get brand partnerships on TikTok and start monetizing your influence with lasting collaborations today!
