Latest Instagram and TikTok Trends

Introduction

Instagram and TikTok continue to dominate the social media landscape, shaping how brands, influencers, and everyday users interact online. These platforms constantly evolve, introducing new features, trends, and strategies that impact social media marketing. Staying updated with the latest trends is crucial for businesses, content creators, and marketers who want to maximize engagement, increase reach, and drive conversions.

In this article, we’ll explore the hottest trends on Instagram and TikTok, including viral challenges, influencer marketing, Reels and Shorts, engagement strategies, and hashtag trends. Whether you’re a brand looking to enhance your social media strategy or an influencer trying to boost your following, these insights will help you stay ahead of the game.

The Rise of Viral Challenges

How Challenges Go Viral

Viral challenges are the lifeblood of TikTok and Instagram, sparking creativity and encouraging mass participation. These challenges often start with a single user or influencer showcasing a specific dance, prank, or creative concept, prompting others to join in and replicate it.

Some factors that contribute to a challenge going viral include:

Easy Replication – The simpler the challenge, the more people will participate.
Trending Audio – Popular songs and sounds make challenges more engaging.
Hashtag Visibility – Branded hashtags help categorize and spread the challenge.
Influencer Participation – If a big influencer picks up a trend, it can skyrocket in popularity.

Examples of Recent Viral Challenges

“NPC Streaming Trend” (TikTok) – Influencers mimic video game NPCs while engaging with live stream viewers.
“AI Yearbook Challenge” (Instagram & TikTok) – Users generate 90s-style yearbook photos using AI filters.
“Invisible Challenge” (TikTok) – A filter makes users appear invisible, leading to hilarious reactions.

Brands are increasingly using challenges for marketing purposes, collaborating with influencers to create branded trends that boost engagement and sales.

Influencer Trends Shaping Social Media

Rise of Micro and Nano Influencers

While mega influencers still have influence, micro (10K-100K followers) and nano (1K-10K followers) influencers are becoming more valuable to brands. These smaller creators often have higher engagement rates, more authentic connections with their audiences, and lower collaboration costs.

Authenticity vs. Polished Content

Consumers are shifting away from overproduced, highly polished content in favor of real, unfiltered moments. TikTok’s rise was built on authenticity, and now Instagram is embracing this trend with features like Notes and candid photo-sharing options. Brands are now working with influencers who show the “real” side of their lives, making marketing campaigns feel more organic.

Live Shopping and Affiliate Marketing

More influencers are diving into live shopping events, where they promote and sell products in real-time. Instagram and TikTok both support affiliate marketing features, allowing influencers to earn commissions on product sales directly through the platform.

Reels and Shorts: The Future of Video Content

Why Short-Form Videos Dominate

Short-form video content is more engaging than traditional posts, making it the preferred format for both TikTok and Instagram users. According to studies, attention spans are shrinking, and videos under 60 seconds tend to perform best.

Differences Between Instagram Reels and TikTok Shorts

Feature	Instagram Reels	TikTok Shorts
Video Length	Up to 90 seconds	Up to 10 minutes
Editing Tools	Basic effects & filters	Advanced editing & AI features
Monetization	Reels Play Bonus (limited)	Creator Fund & Shop integration
Algorithm	Engagement-based ranking	AI-powered personalized feed

Both platforms are constantly improving their video capabilities, pushing brands and influencers to focus on short, engaging clips to capture user attention.

Engagement Strategies That Work in 2025

Interactive Content

Interactive features like polls, Q&A stickers, and reaction challenges drive higher engagement rates. TikTok’s Duet and Instagram’s Collab features allow users to create content together, encouraging more participation.

Storytelling Techniques

To stand out, creators must master storytelling. Hooking viewers in the first 3 seconds is crucial, and using compelling narratives increases watch time and shares. Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes vlog or a mini-series, storytelling remains one of the most effective engagement strategies.

Hashtag Trends: What Works Now?

Niche-Specific Hashtags

Instead of using generic hashtags like #FYP, creators are turning to niche-specific hashtags like #BookTok (for book lovers) or #BeautyTok (for makeup tutorials) to target the right audience.

Branded Hashtags

Many brands are launching their own hashtags to build communities. For example, Nike’s #JustDoIt encourages user-generated content, boosting brand visibility.

Seasonal & Event-Based Hashtags

Hashtags related to holidays, sports events, and pop culture moments (e.g., #SuperBowlAds) often gain massive traction.

Social Media Growth Strategies

Cross-Promotion Between Platforms

Savvy creators are repurposing TikTok videos on Instagram Reels and vice versa, increasing visibility across platforms.

AI-Generated Content and Trends

AI-generated content, like filters and text-to-video features, is becoming more popular. AI tools help creators brainstorm ideas, edit videos, and automate captions.

Community Engagement & Replying to Comments

Replying to comments with video responses is a growing trend, fostering direct interaction with followers and boosting algorithm ranking.

Conclusion

The landscape of Instagram and TikTok is ever-changing, with new trends constantly emerging. Viral challenges, influencer marketing, short-form videos, and strategic engagement techniques are shaping the future of social media marketing. Brands and creators who adapt to these trends will see the most success in growing their audiences and maximizing engagement.

Staying ahead in social media requires agility and creativity. Whether you’re hopping on the latest viral challenge or leveraging Reels and Shorts, these strategies can help you maintain relevance and thrive in 2025 and beyond.

FAQs

1. What is the biggest Instagram and TikTok trend right now?

Viral challenges and AI-generated content are among the biggest trends. The “AI Yearbook Challenge” and NPC streaming trend have gained massive popularity.

2. How can I grow my Instagram and TikTok in 2025?

Consistently post engaging short-form videos, collaborate with influencers, and leverage interactive features like Q&A, polls, and live shopping.

3. Are hashtags still important on TikTok and Instagram?

Yes, but niche-specific and branded hashtags perform better than generic ones. Using trending and seasonal hashtags also increases discoverability.

4. Should businesses focus more on TikTok or Instagram?

It depends on the target audience. TikTok is great for younger demographics, while Instagram has a wider age range and stronger e-commerce integration.

5. How do influencers make money on TikTok and Instagram?

Influencers earn through brand collaborations, affiliate marketing, live shopping, and platform-specific monetization programs like TikTok’s Creator Fund and Instagram’s Reels Play Bonus.