TikTok has become a central platform for brands, with 1.59 billion users in Southeast Asia and 81% of Australians using it to discover new topics. To succeed, brands need to adapt to these 2025 trends:
- Brand-Creator Partnerships: Collaborate with creators to drive storytelling and connect with niche communities.
- Audience-First Content: Focus on authenticity, engage with comments, and align with audience values.
- AI Tools & Content Remixing: Use AI for trend analysis, script generation, and remix tools to create faster, engaging content.
Quick Summary
| Trend | Why It Matters | Key Tactics |
|---|---|---|
| Brand-Creator Partnerships | 64% of users buy products influenced by creators | Partner with creators who align with your brand |
| Audience-First Content | 68% of users expect brands to engage via comments | Share authentic, value-driven content |
| AI Tools & Remixing | AI speeds up content creation and trend adaptation | Leverage TikTok’s AI tools and remix features |
These strategies help brands connect with TikTok’s growing audience while staying relevant in 2025.
Trend 1: Brand-Creator Partnerships
Understanding Brand-Creator Partnerships
Brand-creator collaborations on TikTok have grown into a powerful marketing tool, with 64% of users making purchases influenced by creator advertising. These partnerships now emphasize storytelling over traditional promotional tactics. Instead of relying solely on big-name influencers, brands are teaming up with a broader range of creators.
Why does this approach work? Here's what the numbers say:
- 47% of viewers find creator content genuine.
- Viewers spend 26% more time watching entertaining ads.
- 77% of viewers feel a stronger connection to brands that join trends.
To get results, brands need to carefully choose creators who align with their audience and values.
Finding the Right Content Partners
When selecting creators, brands should focus on these factors:
| Criteria | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Community Engagement | Consistent engagement in niche communities | 70% of TikTok users feel part of a community. |
| Content Style | A natural tone that aligns with the brand's values | 76% of viewers appreciate brands in special interest groups. |
| Audience Overlap | Creators who reach your target demographic | Two-thirds of users prefer brands that work with diverse creators. |
Brand-Creator Success Stories
These guidelines have led to some standout campaigns. Here are a few examples:
- Hyundai worked with @amauryguichon and @chefreactions to create a chocolate model of the IONIQ 6, blending creativity with community values.
- King's Hawaiian partnered with @wereennistogether, who naturally featured the brand’s buns in the popular #CookWithMe trend.
- L'Oréal teamed up with a science comedian to make sunscreen education engaging and relatable.
- RBC Bank collaborated with creators to simplify financial topics, focusing on conversation rather than overt promotion.
"In 2024, we saw brands push creative limits, lean into trends, and connect with their communities in powerful ways, but 2025 is set to take it even further. The creative storytelling opportunities on TikTok are endless, and this year brands and creators will come together to continue to shape culture, spark fresh ideas, and accelerate business growth by tapping directly into what matters to the TikTok community." - Sofia Hernandez, Global Head of Business Marketing for TikTok
What makes these campaigns work is their focus on storytelling and genuine connections. By letting creators stay true to their voice, brands can seamlessly integrate their message into content that resonates with audiences. This shift from traditional advertising to community-driven narratives is what sets these partnerships apart.
Trend 2: Audience-First Content Strategy
What Makes Content Connect
With TikTok leaning into community-driven storytelling, brands need to rethink their approach to stay relevant. A deep understanding of what audiences want is key - 45% of users say this is critical for a brand's relevance.
To make content that resonates, brands should focus on these three elements:
| Element | Why It Matters | How to Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Authenticity | 40% of users engage with genuine, personality-driven content | Share behind-the-scenes moments and candid team interactions |
| Community Engagement | 68% of users expect brands to engage through comments | Actively respond to comments and run community polls |
| Value Alignment | 81% of users discover new interests on TikTok | Create content that reflects shared interests and values |
By focusing on these areas, brands can build stronger connections and trust with their audience.
Building Trust Through Values
Gen Z and Millennials are drawn to brands that share their values, making this a prime opportunity for deeper connections. Aligning content with audience values can make a lasting impact.
"The creative storytelling opportunities on TikTok are endless, and this next year will bring the TikTok community even closer together." – Sofia Hernandez, Global Head of Business Marketing at TikTok
Some brands leading with value-driven content include:
- Rare Beauty, which promotes self-acceptance and mental health awareness
- Cash App, which hosted events during the WNBA finals to support women's empowerment
- DoorDash, which highlights how its services help users achieve personal goals and side projects
Steps to Create Audience-Focused Content
Here’s how to develop a strategy that truly puts your audience first:
-
Research and Monitor
Use TikTok's Creative Center to identify trending hashtags and themes that resonate with your audience. Leverage the platform's Audience Insights tool to understand who’s engaging with specific trends. -
Content Development
Focus on these high-performing content types:- Behind-the-scenes clips to showcase authenticity
- Videos responding directly to user feedback
- Stories that reflect your audience's values and interests
-
Engagement Optimization
Keep videos short - under 10 seconds - for maximum engagement. Track metrics like video completion rates, comment sentiment, shares, and remix activity to fine-tune your content.
A great example of this strategy in action is Mercedes-Benz. They adapted their travel content by using photos instead of videos and found success. By following these steps, brands can thrive in TikTok's ever-evolving, audience-focused space.
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Trend 3: AI Tools and Content Remixing
AI's Role in Content Creation
AI tools are transforming how content is created by speeding up processes and improving efficiency. For instance, TikTok's Symphony Assistant can turn trending topics into ready-to-use scripts, helping brands stay timely and relevant. Similarly, ByteDance’s OmniHuman-1, trained on an extensive dataset of 18,700 hours of TikTok content, can now create highly lifelike videos from just a single photo. These advancements allow brands to produce content faster and with less effort.
| AI Tool Function | Impact on Content Creation | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Trend Analysis | Identifies trending topics | Speeds up decisions |
| Script Generation | Turns trends into ideas | Ensures consistent messaging |
| Visual Creation | Produces custom visuals | Lowers production costs |
| UGC Review | Checks for brand compliance | Simplifies approval workflows |
Using TikTok's Remix Features
TikTok’s remix tools add another layer of efficiency to content creation. These features enable brands to engage with trending conversations without starting from scratch. By using remixing options like duets, brands can quickly adapt and join popular trends. The "Creative Catalysts" trend highlights how leveraging pre-designed templates and smart tools can result in fast, high-quality content production.
To make the most of TikTok’s remix features, brands can:
- Monitor trending audio clips to find inspiration.
- Create reusable content templates for flexibility.
- Use duet options to produce branded collaborations.
Successful AI-Powered Campaigns
AI-powered tools and remix capabilities are driving some of the most impactful campaigns today. A great example is Supercell's campaign, which combined AI-driven targeting with creator partnerships. This strategy resulted in a Branded Mission that reached 261 million people globally. These tools not only simplify the production process but also help campaigns connect with audiences on a deeper level.
TikTok users are 1.4 times more likely than users on other platforms to anticipate Generative AI in ads, showing how important these tools have become for engagement. Brands that succeed with AI-powered content tend to post 3–5 times per week and stay aligned with current trends.
Tools like Stockimg.ai assist brands in analyzing TikTok trends, enabling them to create timely and engaging videos that connect with their target audiences. The key to success lies in combining strong analytics with consistent posting and trend awareness.
2025 Brand Chem! How to Get This Year's Trend Forecast ...
Conclusion: Implementing 2025 TikTok Trends
To succeed on TikTok in 2025, brands need to focus on three main areas: partnerships with creators, audience-focused content, and leveraging AI tools. TikTok's data reveals that 61% of users have made purchases after seeing ads on the platform, underscoring the importance of aligning with these trends.
Action Steps for Brands
| Trend Area | Implementation Steps | Expected Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Brand-Creator Partnerships | Use Creator Marketplace to find niche creators, Track engagement metrics weekly | Build trust and connect with audiences effectively |
| Audience-First Content | Monitor audience comments for feedback, Focus on value-rich content | Boost conversion rates by 20-30% |
| AI Tools & Remixing | Use Symphony Assistant for automation, Edit videos quickly with CapCut | Cut production time by 50% |
These steps provide a clear roadmap for incorporating TikTok's evolving trends into your strategy.
Key Focus Areas for Brands
1. Strategic Planning and Monitoring
Use TikTok's Creative Center to stay updated on real-time trends and identify new opportunities. Regularly analyze your performance - weekly reviews can help fine-tune your approach for better results.
2. Content Creation and Distribution
By the end of 2025, user-generated content (UGC) is expected to dominate, accounting for 60% of paid social content. Brands should prioritize creating relatable, community-driven videos. Using templates can help maintain consistency, and short videos (under 10 seconds) are currently seeing the highest engagement rates.
3. Measurement and Optimization
TikTok's influence often goes unnoticed with traditional tracking methods, which fail to capture 79% of conversions. Tools like TikTok Pixel and Events API with Advanced Matching can provide more accurate insights. For example, L'Oréal Nordics found TikTok's return on ad spend (ROAS) to be 30% higher than other platforms when using these tools.
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