How to See What's Trending on TikTok

Staying on top of what's hot on TikTok is the fastest way to grow your account and connect with a wider audience. But in a sea of endlessly scrolling content, spotting a trend before it peaks can feel like guesswork. This guide will show you exactly where to look for trending sounds, effects, hashtags, and challenges - both inside and outside the TikTok app - so you can stop guessing and start creating with confidence.

The Ultimate Guide to Finding Trends Inside the TikTok App

You don't need fancy tools to start your search. The most powerful trend-spotting resources are built right into the platform you're already using every day. Here's a breakdown of where to look and what to look for.

1. The "For You" Page: Your Personal Trend Ticker

Your "For You" Page (FYP) isn't just a randomly generated feed, it's a highly sophisticated algorithm trying to show you what it thinks you'll love. But it also serves as your most personalized and immediate source for what's currently bubbling up on the platform. The trends your audience loves will almost certainly appear on your FYP.

How to use it effectively:

• Be an active observer. Don't just passively consume content. Spend 15-20 minutes scrolling with the specific goal of spotting patterns. Ask yourself: am I hearing this sound over and over? Is this the third video I've seen with this text format?
• The rule of three is your best friend. If you hear the same audio or see the same video format three or more times in a single session, that's a strong signal it's trending. Your FYP algorithm is picking up on its popularity and pushing it to more people.
• Look for both emerging and established trends. You'll see massive, well-established trends alongside smaller, niche-specific ones. Pay attention to both, as niche trends often have a more engaged, targeted audience.

2. The "Add Sound" Feature: The TikTok Music Charts

One of the most direct ways to see what audio is officially trending is by going straight to the source: TikTok's sound library. This is where TikTok curates lists of the most popular and commercially safe audio tracks on the platform.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Tap the create button (the + icon) at the bottom of the screen.
2. At the top of the camera screen, tap "Add sound."
3. Here, you'll find a goldmine of information. Look for playlists labeled "TikTok Viral," "Trending," or similar names. These lists are literally TikTok telling you, "Hey, people are loving these songs right now!"

Pro Tip: Make sure you understand the difference between the main sound library and the Commercial Music Library. The commercial library contains royalty-free tracks that are cleared for business and promotional use, which is critical for Brand and Creator accounts running sponsored content. Toggling over to the commercial library is a must for any monetized content.

3. The Search & Discover Page: Following the Hashtags

The Discover page, accessible via the magnifying glass icon at the top right of your home screen, is TikTok's dedicated hub for categorized trending content. It prominently features trending hashtags and effects right at the top.

Here's how to get the most out of it:

• Don't just read the hashtags, interact with them. Clicking a trending hashtag like #GRWM or a specific challenge tag will show you every video using it.
• Filter by the "Top" videos. Study how the most-liked creators are interpreting the trend. Analyze the format, the setting, and the unique spin they put on it. This helps you understand the unwritten rules and context of the trend.
• Take note of sponsored hashtags. Brands often create challenges or trends to promote a product. Seeing these sponsored tags can give you insight into where big marketing budgets are going and what kinds of content audiences are engaging with on a commercial level.

4. Tap into Creator Profiles: Learn from the Pros

Top creators in your niche didn't get there by accident, they are masters at spotting and capitalizing on trends. Make it a habit to regularly check the profiles of creators you admire, both inside and outside your industry.

Look at their last 5-10 videos. Are they using the same sounds? Are they participating in the same challenge, but with their own unique style? Because larger creators often get early access to new features or sponsored campaigns, following them is like getting a sneak peek into what might become the next big thing.

Looking Beyond the App: Tools for Advanced Trend Spotting

While the TikTok app itself is an incredible resource, stepping outside of it can give you a broader, data-driven perspective on what's gaining momentum. These external tools and resources can help you spot trends before they fully explode.

1. TikTok Creative Center: The Official Trend Hub

This is easily the most underutilized tool available to creators and marketers. The TikTok Creative Center is the platform's own official data dashboard. It's designed for advertisers but is completely free to use for anyone looking for insights.

Here's what makes it so valuable:

• Trend Discovery: The dashboard has sections dedicated specifically to showcasing trending hashtags, songs, creators, and even individual videos. You can filter this information by region and industry, making it perfect for finding trends that are relevant to your specific audience. A bakery in the UK can see different trending content than a fashion brand in the US.
• Data-Backed Insights: Unlike the gut feeling you get from the FYP, the Creative Center provides hard data showing the growth of a trend over the last 7 or 30 days. This helps you differentiate between a fleeting meme and a trend with real sticking power.

You can access it by searching for "TikTok Creative Center" or going to their official site. Spending just 15 minutes here a week will put you far ahead of the competition.

2. Your Own Analytics: Double Down on What Works

Sometimes, the most powerful trends are the ones resonating specifically with your audience. Your own analytics provide a custom-tailored trend report.

To find this data:

1. Go to your profile page.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the menu.
3. Select Creator Tools, then Analytics.
4. Navigate to the Followers tab.

Scroll down, and you'll see sections showing what videos and what sounds your followers have been engaging with over the past week. Using audio that your existing followers are already listening to is an incredibly effective way to ensure your content feels relevant and timely to your most dedicated fans.

More Than Just Copying: How to Use Trends for Growth

Finding a trend is only half the battle. How you use it is what separates fleeting viral moments from sustainable account growth.

1. Speed is Important, But Context Is Everything

TikTok trends move at lightning speed. What's popular today might be old news by the weekend. So yes, acting quickly helps. But don't jump on a trend blindly just because it's popular. Without understanding the context - the joke, the original audio's meaning, or the general sentiment - your content can fall flat or feel out of touch. Take a minute to watch a few top videos to grasp the vibe before diving in.

2. Make It Your Own: The Niche-Down Rule

The biggest mistake creators make with trends is simply copying what everyone else is doing. The key to successful trend adoption is adapting it to your brand and your niche.

• A tech influencer can use a trending sound about "things I wish I knew sooner" to share keyboard shortcuts or productivity hacks.
• A therapist could use a trending "point of view" format to illustrate a common issue their patients face.
• A carpenter can use an epic, cinematic soundtrack while showcasing the details of a beautifully crafted piece of furniture.

The viral sound or format is the hook that grabs initial attention, but your unique spin is what provides value and earns you a follow.

3. Maintain Your Original Content Strategy

Finally, remember that trends should be a part of your content strategy, not the entirety of it. They are great for attracting new viewers and boosting your visibility in the algorithm, but your original, value-driven content is what builds community and authority. A healthy mix is often around 30% trend-based content and 70% original content ideas. This approach ensures you're discoverable without losing the unique voice that makes your account worth following in the first place.

Final Thoughts

Finding what's trending on TikTok is about learning where to look, both on the "For You" Page and in powerful tools like the Creative Center and your own analytics. By staying curious, understanding the context behind a trend, and strategically adapting it to your niche, you can significantly boost your visibility and build a stronger connection with your audience.

Of course, once you've identified the perfect sound or format, speed is often the next challenge. I've found that having a way to plan and organize helps me execute quickly without feeling overwhelmed. At Postbase, we use our own simple visual calendar to schedule our trending videos alongside our pillar content. This helps us see everything at a glance and transform trend-spotting from a reactive scramble into a smart, organized part of our strategy.