20 Things to Post on TikTok to Go Viral in 2024

Looking for things to post on TikTok to go viral in 2024? This guide distills the formats, hooks, and optimization tactics that consistently trigger the TikTok algorithm, so you can test repeatable ideas, boost retention, and drive saves, shares, and comments—without relying on follower count.

Introduction to TikTok Virality and Current Algorithm Trends

If you’re hunting for things to post on TikTok to go viral in 2024, you’re not alone. TikTok’s For You feed continues to reward content that hooks quickly, holds attention, and triggers interaction—regardless of follower count. While there’s no guaranteed formula, there are repeatable patterns: videos that start strong in the first 1–3 seconds, deliver a clear payoff, and invite viewers to comment, save, or share tend to travel further.

The platform’s recommendation engine is increasingly interest-based. That means your topic, on-screen text, caption keywords, and sound selection help TikTok understand who to show your video to. Watch time, completion rate, replays, and saves are strong indicators that you’ve matched the right content with the right audience. In 2024, we also see TikTok surface slightly longer videos when they sustain strong retention—but short, punchy clips still dominate for reach.

This guide breaks down why content type beats follower count, how to use trending sounds and challenges, and 20 proven content ideas to test. You’ll also get optimization tips for captions, hashtags, and posting frequency to stack the odds in your favor.

Why Content Type Matters More Than Follower Count on TikTok

TikTok’s distribution is driven by performance signals rather than existing audience size. A creator with 500 followers can reach millions if their video matches a micro-interest pocket and performs well, particularly within the first hour.

Why content type wins

• Interest graphs over social graphs: TikTok prioritizes viewer behavior (watched, rewatched, saved) and topic signals over who you follow.
• Video-by-video evaluation: Each upload is tested on small batches and can break out if signals are strong.
• Clear topics help the algorithm: Niche-specific content with consistent keywords in captions and on-screen text helps your videos reach the right people.

Takeaway: Instead of obsessing over follower count, focus on repeatable video formats that drive retention and interaction in your niche.

Leverage Trending Sounds and Music Clips for Discoverability

Trending sounds act like highways for discovery. When you attach your video to a sound that’s accelerating, TikTok more easily groups your content with other in-trend videos, giving you a discovery boost.

How to work with sounds

• Browse the Sounds tab and your For You feed: Save audio that appears repeatedly within a session.
• Look for “mid-trend” sounds: Audio with thousands to low hundreds of thousands of uses is often better than saturated sounds with millions.
• Make it your own: Pair the sound with a niche-specific twist or caption. The contrast between a trend and your topic can be the hook.
• For business accounts, use the Commercial Music Library to stay compliant.

Hook templates you can try

• “Using this trending sound to show the biggest mistake in [your niche]…”
• “This audio hits different when you’re a [role]… watch to the end.”
• “POV: You hear this sound while [niche pain point], and then THIS happens.”

Participate in TikTok Challenges and Hashtag Trends

Challenges and hashtag trends give you built-in context. They come with:

• A ready-made format (lower creative lift)
• A shared audience (people browsing the hashtag)
• Cultural relevance (increased watchability)

How to do it right

• Add a twist: If the trend expects A, deliver A + an unexpected B tied to your niche.
• Keep brand tone: Stay true to your voice so new viewers understand what you stand for.
• Time your post: Trends move fast; aim to post within a few days of seeing it heat up.
• Stack hashtags: Combine the challenge tag with 3–5 niche-specific tags to reach the right viewers.

20 Things to Post on TikTok to Go Viral in 2024 (With Hooks and Tips)

Below are 20 content ideas tailored for virality. Use them as modular formats you can repeat and refine.

1) Trending Sound + Niche Twist

• What: Pair a hot sound with a punchy, niche-relevant visual.
• Hook: “Only [designers, marketers, coders, students] will get this…”
• Tip: Add on-screen text in the first second so silent viewers understand instantly.

2) Challenge With a Plot Twist

• What: Join a challenge but subvert expectations midway.
• Hook: “Everyone’s doing this wrong—watch the switch at 0:04.”
• Tip: Use a cut or reveal exactly where viewers expect the usual outcome.

3) Duet or Stitch Hot Takes

• What: Stitch a viral clip with your reaction, fix, or expert breakdown.
• Hook: “Here’s what they forgot to mention…”
• Tip: Keep your stitch short (1–3 seconds of original), then maximize your commentary.

4) Before/After Transformation

• What: Show a makeover: room, design, code refactor, fitness, art, landscaping.
• Hook: “Wait for the after…” with a timeline (“48 hours later”).
• Tip: Hard cut to the reveal. Consider a fast time-lapse for process.

5) Micro-Tutorial in 20 Seconds

• What: One specific tip with a visible outcome.
• Hook: “Do this one thing to instantly improve your [X].”
• Tip: Show the result first, then explain how in two steps.

6) Myth-Busting Carousel (Multi-Clip)

• What: Rapid-fire “Myth vs. Fact” about your niche.
• Hook: “Stop believing this [niche] myth.”
• Tip: Use text bullets and keep each myth under 4 seconds.

7) Relatable POV Skit

• What: One-minute sketch about a shared pain or daily moment.
• Hook: “POV: You’re the only [role] on the team.”
• Tip: Exaggerate facial expressions. Add a micro-conflict and a quick payoff.

8) Day-in-the-Life Micro Vlog

• What: 15–45 seconds of your real routine, annotated with context.
• Hook: “A realistic day as a [role] (no 5 a.m. gym).”
• Tip: Use on-screen timestamps. Include one unexpected moment.

9) Behind-the-Scenes Build

• What: Show the making-of: artwork, product, scriptwriting, editor timeline.
• Hook: “Here’s the messy part nobody shows.”
• Tip: People love processes; show tools, templates, and a hiccup you overcame.

10) First-Reaction or Unboxing

• What: Raw first impressions of a tool, product, or trend.
• Hook: “I did not expect THAT to happen.”
• Tip: Keep it honest. Use cuts to remove dead air. End with “Should I keep it?”

11) Three Mistakes to Avoid

• What: Common pitfalls with quick fixes.
• Hook: “If you do [X], you’re losing [Y].”
• Tip: Bold text for each mistake; add a fix under it.

12) Speed Build or Time-Lapse

• What: Condense a long process into 15–30 seconds.
• Hook: “30 minutes in 20 seconds—watch the payoff.”
• Tip: Overlay a counter or progress bar to hold attention.

13) Template or Resource Giveaway

• What: Share a free template or checklist relevant to your niche.
• Hook: “Steal my [Notion/CapCut/Canva] template—link in bio.”
• Tip: Show the template in action and the result it produces.

14) Green Screen Commentary

• What: Use green screen to react to headlines, charts, or screenshots.
• Hook: “This chart explains why your [metric] is stuck.”
• Tip: Keep background visual compelling; shift your position to avoid blocking key details.

15) Seasonal or Event-Based Hot Takes

• What: Tie content to holidays, major releases, or sports/fashion weeks.
• Hook: “Don’t make this Black Friday mistake…”
• Tip: Publish early in the cycle. Offer a unique prediction or checklist.

16) Street Interview or Quick Poll

• What: Ask people one targeted question.
• Hook: “We asked 5 strangers how they’d spend $100 on [topic].”
• Tip: Subtitle everything. Cut rapidly between answers for pace.

17) Collab With a Creator in Your Niche

• What: Co-create a skit, challenge, or debate.
• Hook: “We swapped jobs for a day.”
• Tip: Cross-post and tag each other; tee up viewers to follow the other part.

18) Storytime With a Cliffhanger

• What: A true story or case study split across 2–3 parts.
• Hook: “I almost quit because of this one email…”
• Tip: End part 1 with “Comment ‘part 2’ if you want the ending.”

19) UGC Prompt or Contest

• What: Ask viewers to duet with their version.
• Hook: “Show me your [setup/workflow/3-ingredient recipe] using this sound.”
• Tip: Pick a simple, repeatable format. Feature the best responses.

20) Micro-Reviews With a Score

• What: Rapid reviews of tools, books, apps, cafes, or classes.
• Hook: “Is [tool] worth it? 30-second review.”
• Tip: Use a consistent scoring system so viewers know what to expect.

Quick Idea-to-Execution Cheat Sheet

Create Short, Relatable Skits or Comedic Videos

Comedy travels. Relatability plus exaggeration can spark comments like “Tagging my friend who always does this.” Keep your skits simple:

• One setup, one conflict, one punchline.
• Heightened facial expressions; big gestures.
• Use jump cuts to maintain pace; no dead air.

Script template you can adapt

• Setup (0:00–0:02): “POV: You’re the only remote worker on a meeting.”
• Conflict (0:03–0:12): Three quick beats: dog barks, Wi-Fi drops, duplicate “Hello?”s.
• Payoff (0:13–0:18): The real client joined as “iPhone (3).”
• CTA (0:18–0:20): “Comment your worst meeting moment.”

Post Behind-the-Scenes or “Day in the Life” Style Content

BTS and daily vlogs humanize your brand and build parasocial connection. Show unpolished moments:

• The messy desk before a big project.
• A tool you rely on and why.
• A quick fail and what you changed.

Make it scannable

• Add timestamps or chapter labels.
• Use captions for accessibility.
• Layer quick ambient audio to smooth jump cuts.

Share Quick Tips, Hacks, or Educational Content in Your Niche

Education performs well when you show the outcome quickly and keep explanations tight. Aim for one insight per video.

Caption formula

Hook: The fastest way to [achieve goal]
Steps:
1) [Action 1]
2) [Action 2]
Result: [Outcome]
Try it and comment if it works for you.

Hashtags to pair

• #YourNicheTips
• #howto
• #learnontiktok
• #beginnerfriendly
• #fyp (sparingly)

Use Transformation Videos or Before/After Reveals

Transformations deliver a built-in payoff. Best practices:

• Tease the “after” in the opening frame.
• Use a progress bar or “Day 14/30” overlay.
• Tight cuts; no filler between “before” and “after.”

CTA ideas

• “Want the full process? Comment ‘guide’.”
• “Save this to try the same steps.”

Jump on Seasonal or Event-Based Content Themes

Seasonality creates urgency. Align your content calendar with:

• Holidays (Valentine’s, Halloween, Black Friday)
• Cultural events (award shows, major game releases)
• Industry moments (conference season, fiscal year-end)

Plan your calendar

Keep it relevant: Pair the event with a niche angle and deliver timely checklists, predictions, or templates.

Collaborate With Other TikTok Creators for an Engagement Boost

Collabs expose your content to another creator’s audience while boosting watch time via conversational pacing.

Collab formats to try

• Split-screen debates with a clear prompt.
• Skill swap: Each teaches the other a trick.
• “Pass the clip” compilation across multiple creators.

Tips

• Agree on a hook and CTA in advance.
• Cross-promote in both captions: “Watch part 2 on @Partner.”
• Use consistent branding (color, text style) for recognizability.

Optimize Captions, Hashtags, and Posting Frequency for the Algorithm

Your content is the engine; optimization is the nitro. Here’s how to refine distribution signals:

Captions

• Front-load the hook: “Stop scrolling if you [want X].”
• Include searchable keywords about your niche, tools, and outcomes.
• Keep it scannable: one or two short lines, plus a CTA.

Hashtags

• Mix 1–2 broad tags (#tiktoktips, #howto) with 3–5 niche tags (#uxdesign, #ketorecipes, #python).
• Avoid stuffing; relevancy beats volume.
• Use branded or series hashtags to organize your content.

Posting frequency

• Start with 1–2 posts per day for 2–3 weeks to find winners.
• Batch-record 5–10 videos per session; schedule your best times.
• Iterate: Double down on formats with above-average watch time and saves.

Technical quality

• 9:16 aspect ratio, 1080x1920 or higher.
• Strong lighting and clean audio.
• On-screen text within safe zones; auto-captions enabled.

Engagement strategy

• Reply to comments with video when possible.
• Pin top comments to encourage conversation.
• Prompt saves: “Save this for later,” especially for tutorials and checklists.

Sample Weekly Posting Plan (Repeatable)

Use a simple, repeatable schedule so you can test formats consistently without burning out.

week:
  theme: "Beginner-friendly tips for [Your Niche]"
  goals:
    - Increase saves by 25%
    - Test 3 hooks and 2 sounds
  schedule:
    monday:
      - Micro-tutorial (15s) + trending sound
    tuesday:
      - POV skit (30s) + niche hashtag stack
    wednesday:
      - Before/after (12s) + “wait for it” hook
    thursday:
      - Green screen commentary (40s) on news
    friday:
      - Collab part 1 (20s), part 2 on partner account
    saturday:
      - Day-in-the-life (25s) + timestamps
    sunday:
      - Myth-busting (20s) + carousel edits
  review:
    metrics:
      - avg_watch_time
      - completion_rate
      - saves
      - shares
      - comments
    action:
      - Repurpose top 2 into YouTube Shorts/IG Reels
      - Expand best tutorial into 45–60s deep dive

Example Captions and Hashtag Stacks

Copy and adapt these to your niche.

• “The fastest way to fix your [problem] in 20 seconds. Save this for later.”
• #YourNicheTips #howto #fyp #beginnerfriendly #learnontiktok
• “POV: You finally try [tool] and it actually works.”
• #pov #YourTool #productivity #relatable
• “3 mistakes keeping your [goal] stuck (and fast fixes). Which one got you?”
• #mistakes #YourNiche #quicktips #growth

Bringing It All Together

The smartest strategy in 2024 is to combine great formats with strong signals. Pick a handful of the 20 things to post on TikTok to go viral—trending sounds, challenges with a twist, skits, BTS, quick tips, transformations, seasonal tie-ins, and collaborations—and run tight, repeatable experiments. Optimize your hooks and captions, post consistently, and study the metrics that matter: watch time, completion, saves, and shares.

Keep your creative constraints simple, iterate weekly, and let the performance data guide your next 10 videos. That’s how viral moments turn into a sustainable growth engine.

Summary and Next Steps

If you’re serious about finding things to post on TikTok to go viral in 2024, start with three formats from this list, publish daily for a week, and optimize your hooks and captions based on watch-time and saves. Bookmark this guide, share it with a creator friend, and comment which idea you’ll test first. Ready to scale? Build a repeatable posting plan and track your top-performing formats to turn spikes into steady growth.