It’s true that you can simply while away the hours on TikTok flicking through dance videos, cat clips and comedy reels without ever really finding what you love. Meanwhile legions are gathering around social trends and interests, finding their own micro-communities who are into exactly what they are into.
Here are just a few of the TikTok themes that bring people with similar interests together.
The gamer gang
It will come as no surprise that gaming content is big on TikTok. If you’re brave enough, you could post your own “super skills” clips. If not, enjoy the memes and tips on many of your favourite mobile games that are huge on the platform, including Clash Royale, Genshin Impact, Subway Surfers and Among Us.
Some of the most popular gaming live-streams follow games such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and PUBG Mobile.
Go niche: Hashtags such as #cosygames (for that relaxing, feel-good gaming aesthetic) and #animese (for a fusion of gaming and anime) bring people together around similar interests.
The fashion squad
If you’re into fashion, TikTok rules the trends. You’ll find many an influencer documenting their “historically accurate” reincarnations of Y2K style. Think layered-camisole tops and low-slung studded belts once seen on early 2000s Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, but with a Gen-Z/Gen-Alpha twist.
Go niche: Fashion meets hobbies with the #crochetersofTikTok who will show off how they style their own homemade crocheted creations.
The beauty posse
Beauty tutorials abound on all social platforms with #beautyhacks continuing to pull in the views. The more bizarre the better, honestly. We know you’ve also been scarred by those contouring with lip stain clips and videos that seriously over-engineer a winged liner.
The #organicglowroutine is growing in popularity, focused on so-called plant-based or eco-friendly products, which may be somewhat in conflict with the much-desired #glassskin look that is all about boosting your skin’s shine.
Go niche: If you are into the tapping of palettes, the squeezing of tubes and the slathering of creams, follow #ASMRbeauty for skincare with sound.
The cooking crew
Arguably one of the biggest areas of interest on TikTok, food is the content that constantly compels. If you need inspiration, you can find viral recipes (such as tortilla cinnamon rolls or ice cream bread) and #foodhacks aplenty – especially those that you can cook in your air fryer.
Not all the food content you see on TikTok will be dishes you want to cook. There’s a trend for #weirdfoodcombos that very deliberately try to make you balk.
Go niche: Love miniatures? So does TikTok. You’ll find plenty of influencers showcasing their #minicooking and #tinyfood – cooking real ingredients in miniature form on minute stovetops.
The reading troupe
BookTok was a one of the first major niche-communities on TikTok that emerged as a differentiator to the dance, lip sync and comedy content that dominated early on. By 2020 it could create trends that made books sell out.
Today it’s all about #romantasy and #spicyreads on the platform, which is helping to keep those genres popular among publishers too. You’ll also find #readwithme videos where influencers film themselves reading in their cosy surroundings for an hour, posting how many pages they got through and challenging you to do the same.
Go niche: Beyond the mainstream, you’ll find #vibereads, where influencers look for books that create a particular feeling, rather than following a particular genre – such as #comfortreads, books with uplifting and cosy themes.
The aesthetics collection
Less obvious than gaming or food, but still huge on TikTok are the aesthetics trends. These are stunning-looking shorts that often incorporate interiors but are also simply about creating a visual vibe.
Popular hashtags include #darkacademia or #darkvintage, all moody tones and gothic scenes, and #pinkaesthetic, pink as well as cutesy, fluffy and romantic.
Go niche: Those fed up with clean lines and minimalism are posting #cluttercore – an interiors aesthetic for spaces that are stuffed full. Don’t be fooled, this isn’t like the mess of the average person’s sitting room. This is carefully curated clutter.
Of course, if your niche is none of the above, that doesn’t mean you can’t find what you’re looking for on TikTok. Explore and you will find your people.