Tiktok Trends - January 2026

Introducing "TikTok Trends 2026" – your source for staying ahead of the game on the latest TikTok crazes!

TikTok trends move fast, and if you're not quick, you'll miss out. But let's be real, keeping up with TikTok trends can be a hassle. That's where we come in.
Each week, we'll keep you updated on what's hot on TikTok (by spending way too much time scrolling). From trending hashtags to popular sounds and formats, we've got you covered!

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Please note:

• Our focus here is TikTok, but we also track Meta trends on our Instagram Trends page, updated weekly. Testing trends on both platforms helps you see what really resonates.
• Trends are generally very short, which may concern you about not mentioning the product enough. However, the mistake would be to tack on promotional elements after the video. It's crucial that the video stays true to the trend, lasts only a few seconds, and captures the essence of the need your service addresses in a brief timeframe.
• Not all trends will be suitable for every brand. It will be up to you to choose the ones that seem most relevant to your message and goals.

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Want creators to turn these trends into ads for your brand or your clients? 👉 Book a demo here.

19 Jan 2025

The “You have to believe me” trend

Pulled straight from Stranger Things, this trend uses Holly Wheeler’s frantic line, “Come on, you have to believe me, please” and drops it into situations that absolutely do not deserve that level of emotional intensity. That contrast is the whole joke.

Creators film themselves lip-syncing the audio with full desperation, while on-screen text reveals the extremely low-stakes thing they’re begging someone to believe. It’s overdramatic, chaotic, and painfully relatable which is exactly why it works.

The more serious you look, the funnier the scenario.

How to do the trend

• Find the Holly Wheeler “you have to believe me, please” audio
• Set your camera speed to 2x
• Film yourself lip-syncing directly to camera: wide eyes, pleading face, full commitment
• Add on-screen text explaining what you’re trying to convince someone of
• Keep the situation specific, slightly embarrassing, and way less serious than the delivery.

Examples for text overlay

• Trying to convince your friends you’re actually leaving in 5 minutes
• Explaining to my boyfriend why a subscription is “technically an investment”
• Swearing you were listening even though you said “what?” immediately after

For this trend, use this sound.

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The “I got like hella money” trend

TikTok’s favorite new flex is having barely any money and acting like you just secured generational wealth. This trend uses Kell Martin’s viral audio, “I got like hella money”, paired with absurd confidence and a painfully small financial win.

The joke is the contrast: millionaire energy, minimum balance reality. Creators exaggerate the flex while revealing how little money they actually have, turning financial stress into pure comedy. It’s broke humor, self-aware, and extremely Gen Z / millennial-coded which is why it’s everywhere.

Whether it’s $5, a refund, or a Venmo notification, if it made you feel rich for 30 seconds, it qualifies.

How to do the trend

• Use the “I got like hella money” audio
• Film yourself with over-the-top confidence: Lip-syncing, dancing, driving motions, smug expressions
• Reveal the actual reason you feel rich using on-screen text
• Lean into the contrast with big flex energy and the fact that you have a very small amount of money

The more dramatic your confidence, the better it works.

Text overlay examples:

• Getting reimbursed for work expenses
• Finding cash in a jacket I haven’t worn in months
• When I cancel a subscription and suddenly feel wealthy

For this trend, use this sound.

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6 Jan 2025

The “26 goals for 2026” trend

This trend is all about turning vague resolutions into something tangible. Instead of saying “I want to do better next year,” creators are listing 26 specific, achievable goals for 2026 (the kind that feel realistic, a little ambitious, and actually doable).

What makes this format work is the mix of honesty and intention. The goals can be big or small, serious or slightly unserious, as long as they feel human. Bonus points if you explain how you’ll make them happen or break them down into manageable chunks (monthly, quarterly, or by theme).

It’s goal-setting without the pressure to be perfect.

How to Use the Trend

• Create a list of 26 concrete goals for 2026
• Film yourself talking through them, or use text overlays with short explanations
• Optional: explain how you’ll achieve each goal
  • routines, systems, boundaries, habits, reminders
• You can:
  • Break them down by month
  • Group them by themes (health, money, work, relationships, fun)
  • Or keep it casual and free-flowing
• Longer formats work well here (45–90 seconds) if the pacing is tight
• Keep it relatable, perfection is not the goal

There is no sound for this trend, but make sure to add phrases like “26 goals for 2026” in your text overlay or your voiceover.

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