TikTok and Instagram Trends – Late August 2025

This fortnight’s trends highlight the continued evolution of short-form content. TikTok thrives on movement, storytelling, and confessions, while Instagram leans into humour, drama, and fashion-forward reveals.

Dance routines and transformation edits remain as popular as ever, but there’s also a noticeable move towards storytelling, comedy, and even a bit of nostalgia. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new, what’s on the rise, and what might be fading.

For creators and brands, the lesson is clear: be authentic, give audiences a simple format they can copy, and don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself.

For more updates, visit Mark Nolan's Podcast!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Have you tried the fridge door trend yet? Or maybe
you've been caught up in the summer I reels. I'm
Mark Nolan and this is your Friday social media trends
Full Unpack, brought to you by Mad Blackcat dot com.
Let's start with TikTok right now. A the big story
is all about movement and storytelling. Dance challenges remain strong,

(00:24):
with groups and couples showing off synchronized routines that sometimes
finish in a petty glam transformation. That's when someone storms
off looking annoyed, only to reappear seconds later, dressed head
to toe in glitter or a full outfit change. But
the most interesting development is actually a slower one, the

(00:46):
slide show format. TikTok users are moving beyond video into
photo essays, three to five images strung together with captions,
often ending in a witty punchline. It's a lighter, easier
way for people to join in without heavy editing, and
it's catching on fast. And of course there's still space

(01:06):
for humor and honesty. Soft confessionals and body positivity stories
are everywhere. The idea is simple, share something a little embarrassing,
admit we've all been there, and let the audience laugh
with you, not at you. Now over to Instagram, where
the reels are leaning heavily into drama and comedy. One

(01:29):
of the big audio trends is that's my opinion, friends
pretend to argue, then pose happily for a photo, a
reminder that even the biggest rouse don't last long. Another
is don't do it the format where you know you shouldn't,
but of course you do anyway, Sending that risky message,

(01:49):
ordering that extra pizza, buying that unnecessary gadget. It's all
in there, And then we've got nostalgia in the form
of the Summer reels. Think of it like a diary
entry the summer I survived without air con, or the
summer I danced at every wedding I wasn't invited to.
It's light, it's fun, and it's got people sharing personal

(02:13):
stories in a way that feels communal. Fashion still rules
the stage too, with throw a fit reels where a
pretend tantrum turns into a dazzling outfit reveal, or the
fridge door change trend. Yes, cats would definitely approve of
this one, where the fridge closes on one look and
opens to another Across both platforms. The clear pattern is

(02:36):
that prompt driven content wins. If the audio gives you
a ready made instruction, tell us your summer story, show
us your outfit, reveal your confession, the trend spreads faster.
Food and lifestyle also keep popping up. TikTok's egg flights
have crossed into Spain with Tappers Twists, while Europe more

(02:59):
widely is in embracing the six six six walking challenge
sixty minutes a day, six days a week for six weeks,
and musically, two sounds dominate this Summer Ordinary by Alex Warren,
the anthem for every relationship Montage and I Have One

(03:20):
Daughter by Luke Holloway, which began as a comedy clip
but has turned into the soundtrack for memes across the continent.
So whether you're pulling a new look out of your fridge,
reliving the summer you something, or laughing along with a
slideshow confession, the big story is the same. Authenticity and
humor are what keep these platforms alive. I'm Mark Nolan

(03:42):
and that was your Friday. Social media trends. Full unpack
from Mad Blackcat dot com