How to Reverse Engineer Social Media Trends with AI

Hunt trends, make winning content!

Author

KC at AI Saasy
December 02, 2024

Table of Contents

Hey there,

KC here!

Social media is the modern-day gold rush—except the gold isn’t in the streams; it’s in the streams of content. Every scroll on Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter is an opportunity, and today, I’m going to show you how to use AI to identify, predict, and maybe even create those viral waves everyone wants to ride.

Imagine this: You spend hours creating what you think is the ultimate TikTok video or Instagram post. The visuals stand out, the caption hits the mark, and you even add a trending hashtag. But when you hit publish? Crickets. Meanwhile, your competitor’s casual post goes viral overnight with minimal effort.

❝

What’s their secret? It’s not luck—it’s strategy.

Social media algorithms reward patterns of behavior: engagement, retention, and timeliness. With the right tools, approach, and strategy, you can reverse-engineer these algorithms, discover what works, and create content that consistently goes viral.

This isn’t about circumventing the system—it’s about knowing it. Today, we’ll show you exactly how to do that with actionable strategies and real-world case studies from brands like E.L.F. Cosmetics and Chipotle. Ready to crack the code? Let’s dive in. 🚀

First, Analyze What’s Already Working

To understand the algorithm, first learn what it rewards.

Using AI for Content Analysis

  • ChatGPT for Deconstruction

    • Input:
      “Review these high-performing TikTok videos in my niche: [Insert Links]. Why did they work?”

    • Output: Identifies structure, tone, style, visuals, and emotional appeal.

  • Perplexity AI for Trends

    • Ask:
      “What’s trending this week in [your niche] on Instagram?”

    • Output: Real-time data on current hashtags, post formats, and engagement tactics.

Case Study: E.L.F. Cosmetics’ #EyesLipsFace Challenge

  • What They Did:
    E.L.F. Cosmetics used Brandwatch to identify TikTok trends. They discovered participatory challenges paired with custom sounds were dominating. E.L.F. created the #EyesLipsFace challenge, matching a catchy song with a call for user-generated content.

  • Why It Worked:

    • Aligned with TikTok’s collaborative culture.

    • Made participation fun and easy.

  • The Results:

    • Over 5 million user-generated videos.

    • Huge spike in brand awareness among Gen Z.

Takeaway: Engage your audience. Challenges and trends that incentivize participation amplify engagement, which algorithms reward.

Second, Find the gaps

Most marketers chase trends. The smart ones fill gaps.

How to Spot Gaps

  • Read Comments: Look for recurring questions under viral posts.

    • Example: “How can I make this easier?”

  • Dig Into Niche Communities: Use tools like Reddit Keyword Monitor or Trendsmap.

  • Monitor Hashtags: Use RiteTag to find hashtags that are popular but not overused.

Case Study: Chipotle’s #GuacDance Challenge

  • What They Did:
    Chipotle noticed food-related dance challenges booming on TikTok. Working with TikTok’s API and insights from Hootsuite, they enlisted influencers to kick off the #GuacDance challenge for National Avocado Day.

  • Why It Worked:

    • Married TikTok’s obsession with dance trends to their brand story.

    • Leveraged influencers to jumpstart participation.

  • The Results:

    • Over 1 billion views.

    • Record-breaking guacamole sales during the campaign.

Takeaway: Combine trends with your brand story. Chipotle didn’t merely hop on a trend—they owned it by attaching it to their product.

Then, Decode Algorithms Using AI

AI tools enable you to discover why particular posts succeed and predict what will resonate in the future.

  • Google Trends: Tracks rising search terms in your niche.

  • Exploding Topics: Identifies trending topics before they peak.

  • MonkeyLearn: Analyzes emotional sentiment in comments and reviews.

Case Study: National Geographic’s Instagram Strategy

  • What They Did:
    National Geographic used Iconosquare to analyze their audience’s behavior. They found that stunning visuals with educational captions consistently drove engagement.

  • Why It Worked:

    • Married striking visuals with useful, shareable content.

    • Played to Instagram’s strengths as a visual platform.

  • The Results:

    • Millions of followers.

    • Among the highest engagement rates on Instagram.

Takeaway: Lean into what works for your platform. Whether that’s visuals on Instagram or humor on TikTok, tailor your content to the culture of the platform.

Winning the algorithm game is about spotting what’s coming before everyone else does.

How to Stay Ahead

  • Monitor Micro-Trends: Track them using tools like Exploding Topics.

  • Watch Niche Communities: Platforms like Discord and Reddit often signal trends before they go mainstream.

Case Study: Kaiser Permanente’s #HealthAtHome Challenge

  • What They Did:
    During the pandemic, Kaiser Permanente used Trendsmap to monitor Twitter conversations. They saw a surge in interest in home workouts and healthy recipes. They launched the #HealthAtHome challenge to boost engagement.

  • Why It Worked:

    • Timely and relevant to audience needs.

    • Fostered a sense of community around shared experiences.

  • The Results:

    • Over 1.1 billion views.

Takeaway: Be timely. Align your content with current conversations and trends to maximize impact.

Your Action Plan

  1. Dissect High-Performing Content: Use tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI to analyze successful posts in your niche.

  2. Find Gaps: Explore comments, hashtags, and niche communities to identify unfulfilled needs.

  3. Leverage AI: Predict emerging trends using tools like Google Trends and Exploding Topics.

  4. Act Fast: Create timely content before trends peak.

Start today. Crack the code. Create content that thrives. 🚀