TikTok has experienced a meteoric rise over the past few years, quickly becoming an endless source of creative comedy sketches, dance challenges, and lip-synched videos. Similar to predecessors like Vine (which recently surfaced again when Elon Musk discussed the idea of relaunching the app), TikTok is probably best known for its comedy sketches and lip-synching memes soundtracked by music and other pop-culture sound clips, which can be reproduced and remixed among its vast network of creators.
While TikTok is heavily dominated by its Gen-Z user base, every generation in some form or another has jumped on the TikTok bandwagon and found interest in consuming content on the platform. Gen-Z’ers and Millennials love the playful, off-the-cuff platform, where creators are beginning to turn their talents and online fame into legitimate careers. It’s goofy, fun, and a refreshing change of pace from the more serious platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
The Most Popular TikTok Trends
TikTok has created more than its fair share of viral trends and memes. From the “Yeehaw Challenge” and Duets to AI and the Roman Empire, let’s take a look at the biggest TikTok trends and memes to date.
1. “Yeehaw” Challenge
Lil Nas X took the internet by storm in 2018 with the release of his mega-hit record “Old Town Road”. The song became a global hit in large part because of TikTok, and it spawned arguably the most popular challenge on the platform at the time, the “Yeehaw Challenge”. The premise of this challenge is that someone turns themself into a cowboy or cowgirl by consuming a beverage labeled “Yeehaw juice.” This skit is performed to ‘Old Town Road’ and took TikTok by storm while the record was gaining global traction.
@roblox Okay we’re gonna bring back the #yeehaw challenge. 🤠 @lilnasx #robloxpresentslnx #lilnasxholiday #roblox #lilnasx #HolidayCountdown
2. #Prankwars
Pulling off the perfect prank can be difficult, but it has become an art form on TikTok. From pranking their parents, friends, and loved ones even to complete strangers, TikTok’ers have taken pranking to unprecedented heights. Prank Wars has transformed TikTok into the modern iteration of America’s Funniest Home Videos, and we are all here for it. Creators are not only pulling pranks to outsmart their friends for a few laughs, but they also compete against each other to see whose content can receive the most hearts.
@scott.boersen How many #ikea pencils did I put in her bag? #prankwars #foryou #tiktokaustralia #prank notfunny?
3. Roman Empire
It all started with a seemingly innocent question—“How often do men think about the Roman Empire?”—asked by a curious TikTok user. One viral video featured a woman asking her boyfriend the question, only to be stunned when he confidently replied, “Every day.” Now, the trend has erupted into a viral sensation, with countless users playfully sharing their unexpected obsession with ancient history. It’s a perfect example of how the platform can take even the most unusual ideas and turn them into cultural phenomena in the blink of an eye.
@leeleelance he got so defensive😭😭 once a week is insane
4. “Shoe change” challenge
Complete with its own catchy tune, the #shoechangechallenge had TikTokers creating videos of themselves changing their outfits to the beat of the song when they kicked the soles of their shoes into the screen. Viewed over 12 million times when it started back in 2018, it quickly became one of the platform’s most popular trends. The origin of the challenge actually began with shoes changing as creators stomped the ground to the beat of the song, but it eventually evolved into outfit changes and other parodies of the idea. Check out these 12 sneaker influencers leaving a footprint in 2024.
@fayetopia a peek into my shoe collection #shoechallenge #shoechangechallenge #foryou #foryoupage #trending
5. Duets
TikTok is known for many things at this point. But one of the core elements of the platform that has helped elevate it into a new stratosphere of popularity is its Duets feature. Think of it like remixing a song. Users can take another person’s video and add to it. It’s like setting up a joke and giving another person the chance to deliver the punchline. For example, someone may post a video of them dancing to a song and then another TikTok user can then take that video and add themselves performing corresponding dance moves.
Here’s an example of two creators using the face overlay Duet style to create a funny video of an interaction at a stoplight.
@ailaughatmyownjokes #duet with @SmoothPapi I’m bored
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6. “Renegade” Dance Challenge
The fast-paced choreography of the “Renegade Dance Challenge” has become one of the most popular dances on TikTok, with over 30 million users taking a crack at it so far. The dance started in September 2019, when it was created by an Atlanta-based 14-year-old named Jalaiah Harmon. The dance was set to a song by hip-hop artist K Camp, titled “Lottery”, and blew up quickly among high school students. Harmon’s dance became a viral sensation and has now been performed in talent shows and school pep rallies across the country.
@jalaiahharmon The Collab Y’all Have Been Waiting For 2 Goats In One Video🐐🔥🆙Dc : @jalaiah & @tdfw.shot 🚀 #renegade #shotxcrisis
7. The AI Effects Boom
As AI technology has advanced in recent years, so has the popularity of TikTok’s AI effects. What once was considered a novelty has now become a go-to tool for creators looking to add a creative spark to their content. From playful filters that turn you into a painting to eerily accurate face swaps, users are constantly pushing the boundaries of what AI can do. In terms of virality, one of the most popular examples of this trend was the “AI Manga” filter, which transformed users into anime-style characters and exploded on TikTok in December 2022.
@davidparody1 thats a lobster claw
8. I’m Already Tracer Challenge
This is one is now considered a flashback challenge on TikTok, but a classic to say the least. Back in January 2017, the Mashed YouTube channel uploaded an animated music video for a song by The Living Tombstone called “No Mercy”. The video contains a segment showing popular YouTubers Black Gryph0n and LittleJayneyCakes singing an argument over which characters to play in the game Overwatch. Hilarity ensued, and a video fad was created as TikTok’ers recorded themselves lip-syncing the song in videos like this one. Check out these 10 video game marketing tactics to level up your business.
@alicenyannya Maybe I’ll be Tracer? I’M ALREADY TRACER! 😘 DVA is back! #dvacosplay #dvaoverwatch #overwatchcosplay #overwatch #imalreadytracer #maybeillbetracer
9. Full House opening
In the case of this trend, the name in itself is somewhat self-explanatory. Some of us may be old enough *gasp* to remember the wholesome ’90s sitcom “Full House” starring Bob Saget and John Stamos. The theme song is considered classic in its own right and helped spawn this trend on TikTok. We’ll let the video explain the rest.
@jobtherapy Somebody @ the Olsen Twins #officelife #fullhousechallenge
10. DNA Test Challenge
TikTok and Lizzo go together like peanut butter and jelly. Her music is the perfect backdrop for creators on the platform, and her song “Truth Hurts” was the ideal accompaniment for the DNA test meme. TikTok’ers filmed themselves singing the line from the song “Just took a DNA test/turns out I’m 100 percent that ___,” filling in the blank with their own spin on what comes after the “100 percent” lyric. The results were often hilarious, and had everyone jumping on board trying to create their own version of the “DNA Test Challenge”.
@kaylacantey It is confirmed! #dnatest #100percentdog #dog #pet #dogsoftiktok #foryou
11. “The Haribo Challenge”
This one is more of a fan favorite than it is a trend, but we figured it was worth including. It took some meticulous planning and some creative video editing, but the final result is definitely one of the cutest and most clever TikTok memes to date. The video unfolds with a shot of a single gummy bear, ‘singing’ Adele’s hit “Someone Like You”, only to reveal a chorus of gummy bears joining in song.
@davidkasprak over 200 Haribos singing 😁 #haribochallenge #haribo #adele #concert
Your Brand’s Viral Moment Starts Here
Is your brand looking to break out on TikTok? At Viral Nation, we specialize in creating creator-led, social-first campaigns that tap into the latest trends and deliver real results. Our influencer partnerships connect your brand with top TikTok creators who know how to make an impact. Let us help you turn trending moments into long-term success—contact us today and get started.
