Forget case studies and capstone projects—some of today’s most impactful TikTok marketing trends were born not in boardrooms but on the For You Page. From scrappy UGC to oddly specific humor, TikTok has flipped the marketing playbook and handed the pen to everyday creators.
In this article, we dive into five TikTok-born trends that U.S. brands are now embracing, plus how you can use them—no MBA necessary.
1. Low-Fi Content Beats Polished Production
TikTok audiences crave authenticity over aesthetics. While traditional marketers might spend thousands on production, creators filming in their bedrooms are winning brand deals and loyal fans.
Example: When Duolingo gave control of their TikTok to their intern and let the owl mascot go feral, engagement skyrocketed. No high-budget shoots. Just a phone camera, irreverent humor, and a lot of Gen Z energy.
Even billion-dollar brands like Pepsi and Nike are experimenting with lo-fi content for their Gen Z-targeted campaigns, especially during product drops and trend tie-ins.
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Up next: See how brands are leveraging micro-moments and meme culture to build relevance at lightning speed.
