How to Track TikTok Trends

Catching a TikTok trend at the right time feels like a content jackpot, but just waiting for one to land on your For You Page is a recipe for being late. This guide will show you exactly how to find, track, and use trends before they've hit their peak and are on their way out. We’ll cover the on-platform tools and off-platform tricks that top creators use to stay ahead of the curve.

Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore TikTok Trends

Jumping on a trend isn't just about chasing views, it’s a smart organic growth strategy. When you participate in a trend, the TikTok algorithm recognizes that your video is part of a larger, popular conversation. This gives your content an immediate advantage, grouping it with other high-performing videos and pushing it out to new audiences who are already engaging with that sound, format, or effect.

Here’s what that actually means for you:

• Increased Reach: Tapping into a trend exposes your brand to thousands - or even millions - of potential followers who would have never seen your content otherwise.
• Higher Engagement: People are more likely to watch, like, and comment on a format they already recognize and enjoy. It’s familiar, timely, and lowers the barrier for interaction.
• Signals Relevance: Being an active participant in popular online culture shows that your brand is current and "in the know." It makes your account feel more human and less like a constant advertisement.
• Ideation on Easy Mode: Sometimes the hardest part of creating content is coming up with an idea. Trends provide a premade template. Your job is just to add your unique voice, industry spin, or sense of humor to the format.

Your Trend-Spotting Toolkit: A Mix of Active and Passive Methods

Being a good trend spotter means transitioning from a passive scroller to an active observer. It’s a mix of using TikTok’s built-in tools and staying attuned to internet culture. Here are the most effective ways to do it.

1. Use the TikTok App Like a Pro

The best place to find TikTok trends is, unsurprisingly, on TikTok. But you have to know where and how to look.

Treat Your "For You Page" as Research

Your FYP is your secret weapon, but only if you train it properly. As a creator or brand, your account's algorithm should be tuned to your niche. You can do this by:

• Following and interacting with other creators in your industry.
• Liking and commenting on videos relevant to your target audience.
• Saving videos that inspire your creativity.

Once your FYP is dialed in, start 'trend-spotting scrolling sessions.' Instead of just consuming, look for patterns. Is the same song popping up with different clips? Are multiple people using the same green screen effect or Stitching the same video? When you see a single sound, joke format, or dance appearing three or more times in a short scrolling session, you've likely found an emerging trend.

Use the Search Bar and Trending Feeds

While the old "Discover" page is gone for many users, its spirit lives on in the search functionality. Tap the search icon in the top right corner and take note of the suggestions that appear under "You may like." These are topics gaining traction right now.

Type a general keyword related to your niche (e.g., "marketing tips," "small business owner," "fitness challenge") and examine the top-performing videos. Pay attention to the audio and formats being used, as they are what’s currently resonating with viewers interested in that topic.

Unlock the TikTok Creative Center

The TikTok Creative Center is an official platform resource that many creators overlook, and it's pure gold for identifying trends. It’s a free dashboard that provides a behind-the-scenes look at what’s performing well across the platform.

Here's a simple step-by-step guide to using it:

1. Visit the TikTok Creative Center website (you can find it with a quick Google search) and click on the "Trend Discovery" tool.
2. You can explore what's trending under four main tabs: Hashtags, Songs, Creators, and TikTok Videos.
3. For the best insights, use filters. You can sort by region and industry to see what's popular in your specific niche. Also, filter trends from the Last 7 Days for the freshest results.
4. When you click on a trending song or hashtag, you'll see an analytics graph showing its popularity over time and demographic data for the audience engaging with it. A sharp upward spike on the graph indicates a budding trend.

Pro Tip for Brands: If you're a business using a Business Account, browse songs in the Commercial Music Library first. In the Creative Center, look for trending sounds and check if they are available for commercial use. This helps you avoid potential copyright issues.

2. Learn to Analyze Trending Audio

Sound is the backbone of almost every TikTok trend. Learning to spot audio that's about to blow up is an essential skill.

When scrolling, pay attention to the small spinning music note icon at the bottom of a video. If you see a small, upward-facing arrow next to the song title, that means the sound is officially trending in your region.

But you can be early. When you hear a sound you like or see it used a few times:

• Click the sound: This takes you to its main audio page.
• Check the number of videos: Is it under 5,000–10,000? You might be early. If over 100,000, the trend is likely established or past its peak.
• Sort by 'Most Recent': Scroll down and look at the upload dates of the first few videos using the sound. Was it ten months ago or two weeks ago? Audio that has existed for a while but suddenly spikes in recent uploads is prime trend material.

3. Scout for Clues Outside of TikTok

Trends on different platforms often crossover. What's trending on Instagram Reels or happening in the broader cultural conversation can hint at what's coming next on TikTok.

Monitor Your Peers and Competitors

Keep a close eye on successful creators and brands in your niche. You're not copying them but drawing inspiration. Did a home organization account create a viral hit with a particular voiceover? You could adapt that for your own content. Notice the top 3–5 creators in your space. When they all start using a certain filter or format, it’s a good sign to try it out.

Don't Live in a TikTok Bubble

Often, trends originate elsewhere and migrate to TikTok. Pay attention to what's happening on other platforms your audience uses.

• X (formerly Twitter): What memes or viral phrases are gaining traction? Phrases from popular tweets often turn into trending TikTok sounds.
• Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts: These platforms are also dominated by short-form videos, so trends often emerge first there and quickly spread to TikTok.
• Cultural Events: Popular TV series, major movies, or awards shows can spawn dozens of trends based on quotes or memorable moments.

Found a Trend? Here's How to Decide if It’s Right for You

Just because something is trending doesn’t mean you should jump in. Participating in the wrong trend can make your brand seem out of touch or, worse, inauthentic. Before filming, run this quick checklist.

Does It Align with Your Brand Values?

Does the trend feel authentic to your voice and mission? If you run a serious B2B consulting firm, doing a silly dance challenge might feel jarring. But maybe a "Day in the Life" trend showcasing your expertise fits better. If it feels forced, your audience will notice.

Can You Act Quickly?

The lifespan of a TikTok trend is often very short. Some last weeks, others days. If you find a trend taking off, you need to create your version within 24–48 hours. If it takes a week to get approval and produce the video, the wave may have already passed.

Can You Add a Unique Spin?

The best trend videos are not just copies - they recontextualize the trend for your niche. Doing the trend alone gets you seen, adding your industry perspective makes an impression. Ask yourself: "How can I relate this to my audience's pain points, humor, or interests?"

Is It Safe for Your Brand?

Always do a quick check on the origin of a sound or challenge. Some trending audio may come from problematic sources, and participating without understanding the context can reflect poorly on your brand. A brief review of the top videos using the sound usually suffices to gauge its appropriateness.

Final Thoughts

Mastering how to track TikTok trends turns you from a reactive creator into a strategic marketer. Using the Creative Center, analyzing your FYP, following trending sounds, and recognizing patterns helps you stay ahead of what's coming and produce timely content that wins the algorithm.

But finding trends is only part of the equation. Integrating them into a well-organized content schedule transforms timely ideas into real growth. At Postbase, we designed our platform for the fast-paced world of short-form video. Our visual calendar allows us to plan trend-based videos alongside our evergreen content, giving us a complete overview of what's going live across TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. This keeps creativity flowing without chaos. By centralizing scheduling, Postbase helps us focus on creating great content, not just managing it.