TikTok: where trends are born, attention spans vanish, and brands go viral before you can say “algorithm.” It was briefly banned in the US for 12 hours, sparking questions about its future. But now it’s back, and as influential as ever. For CPG brands, this isn’t the time to look away.
We’re breaking down how your brand can tap into trends like snack hacks, ASMR, unboxings, day-in-the-life content, and challenges to build awareness, grow community, and drive sales.
Social platforms aren’t just for scrolling anymore. They shape how people discover, evaluate, and interact with brands. Right now, TikTok is one of the most influential players in that space.
For CPG brands, it’s a chance to show up with purpose, stand out in a crowded feed, and drive real results.
Gen Z and Millennials don’t want a sales pitch. They want to take part. TikTok’s trends and challenges give them a way to engage on their terms and share moments that feel real.
Being seen is no longer enough. Your brand needs to be part of the conversation.
TikTok outperforms other platforms when it comes to engagement, and Promarketer’s numbers back it up:
One of TikTok’s biggest strengths is how fast the right content can gain traction. But to stand out, you need to follow the platform’s best practices.
That means keeping a close eye on:
Creating successful content starts with knowing what works and building on it with intention. It should support your goals and speak directly to your audience.
When people share how they use your product, it hits differently. It’s relatable, real, and much more convincing than a polished pitch. That’s the power of user-generated content (UGC). It turns your audience into your best marketers.
Here’s how you can do that:
CPG brands can now drive sales directly on TikTok. Here's how:
Snack hacks drive discovery by showing simple, unexpected ways to use your product. The ideas are easy to try at home, which encourages people to get involved. It all feels natural and not like a sales pitch.
For example, @hungryhappens’s 2-ingredient onion ring chips video pulled in over 19.9 million views because it was simple, visual, and easy to try. That’s what makes this trend so powerful.
How to bring it into play:
ASMR videos let the product speak through sound and texture, creating a calm, immersive experience. The content feels natural and unscripted, which helps hold attention and keep viewers engaged through sensory detail.
Zach Choi’sASMR video pulled in over 37.5 million views, and it’s easy to see why. With sharp audio, close-up visuals, and no voiceover, the focus stays on the food. It’s calm, satisfying, and impossible to scroll past.
How your brand can take on this trend:
Unboxing videos make packaging part of the experience. They build anticipation, hold attention, and feel more genuine thanks to real, unscripted reactions.
Let’s take a look at @steffieinthecity’s Dior unboxing video, which reached over 502,000 views, and it’s all about how the products are revealed. From the clean visuals to her genuine reaction, the experience feels elevated and personal.
How your brand can leverage this trend:
Day-in-the-life videos show your product as part of real routines. When it feels natural and useful, it becomes easier to remember and more likely to be chosen.
Take @ccx.study’s “day in my life” video, for example, which earned over 14.4 million views by showing, not selling. She shares how the Me+ app fits naturally into her routine, using calm visuals and a personal tone. The content feels easy to watch and genuinely useful, which is why so many people saved it.
How your brand can tap into DITL content:
Challenges plug your product into trends people are already watching and sharing. They’re easy to join, which helps content spread quickly and puts your brand in the middle of the conversation.
@natviolette joined the #pumpchallenge, where a filter decides how many pumps of makeup you can use. Her video reached over 3.3 million views because it tapped into a trend that felt familiar and easy to engage with.
How your brand can utilize this trend:
For CPG brands, it's a reminder that trend relevance matters. Tapping into a challenge that's already gaining momentum can boost visibility.
Create a simple, creative challenge that ties directly to your product. When it works, it sparks participation and builds recognition through fast-moving user content.
By leaning into TikTok trends like snack hacks, ASMR, unboxings, DITL content, and challenges, CPG brands can meet people where their attention already is. It’s a smart way to stay relevant, spark real engagement, and stay visible in a space built for discovery.
Need help building a campaign that connects? Get in touch with Magnetic Creative for strategic guidance that turns TikTok trends into measurable impact.