In the fast-paced realm of digital communication and trendsetting, navigating social media trends and staying ahead of the curve is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. As PR professionals, let’s dive into the world of social media and discover effective trend research on two of the hottest platforms: Instagram and TikTok.

Decoding Social Media Trends on Instagram

1.Trend Hunt: Instagram’s heartbeat lies in hashtags. Explore what hashtags are being repeatedly used on the social media feed and catch the attention of millions. Tools such as Hootsuite or Later can help guide you through the world of hashtags and save a ton of time when creating quality content that is bound to trend.

2. Social Media Story Stalking: Instagram stories are a goldmine for real-time trends. Engage with polls, IGTV, questions, and quizzes to gauge audience connection and gather valuable insights. Additionally, interactive components not only keep an audience entertained but also serve as valuable tools to better understand preferences and feedback within a specific niche or community.

3. Explore Page Insights: Instagram’s explore page is a mix of an individual’s interests as well as daily trends globally. Analyze the content featured here; what’s resonating with users? What type of content is your targeted demographic engaging with, commenting on, and liking? Navigating social media trends is key and PR Professionals should pay close attention to the variety of content formats, from reels to IGTv; this is a backstage pass to the latest and greatest hits.

Riding TikTok Viral Waves

1. Trending Hashtags: Whether it’s the infamous “#ForYouPage” or “SaltburnScene,” similarly to Instagram, TikTok thrives on hashtags. Discover the latest trends by exploring the “Discover” tab or delving into trending hashtags. As a creator account, leverage TikTok analytics to track the performance of specific hashtags over time.

Hot Tip: Navigating Social Media Trends can be a challenge! To find the most relevant or recent trending hashtags, first type the chosen niche in the search bar. Secondly, scroll to hashtags, and thirdly, filter the videos by “relevance” or “most recent”.

2. Duets Analysis: TikTok’s unique feature of duets opens a window into collaborative trends. Keep an eye on what users are duetting with and identify opportunities to jump on the bandwagon. It could be a simple collaboration with an influencer, or it could even be a duet with a talking dog.

3. Trendsetters: Some trends take flight before they land on the “For You” page. Pay attention to users who consistently set trends (also known as “trendsetters”). Follow influencers, brands, and creators who consistently post unique and engaging content within your niche for early insights.

In the ever-evolving world of social media, PR professionals must master the art of trend decoding. From Instagram’s hashtags to TikTok’s viral-ity and quick behaviors, staying ahead ensures your content not only catches attention but becomes an integral part of the latest conversations.