TikTok Video Hooks Guide: How to Write Hooks That Get Views (2025)

Best Hooks for TikTok Videos

Not all hooks work equally well for TikTok videos. Some grab attention faster. Some drive views better. Some work better for short-form video. Here are the hooks that actually work for TikTok, with examples from videos that got it right.

Curiosity Gap hooks (hinting at something without revealing it) work well because they create intrigue in the first 3 seconds. Controversy & Bold Claims hooks (making strong statements) stand out in crowded feeds. Question hooks (asking direct questions) drive engagement through reflection. Storytelling hooks (starting with a story) create emotional connections. Visual & Sensory hooks (describing what people see/feel) work well for video.

Avoid slow builds that waste precious seconds. TikTok is fast-paced. Your hooks should be immediate and punchy. Avoid generic hooks that don't create intrigue. Be specific. Be surprising. That's how you grab attention.

Hot Take

Share a provocative perspective

"Email marketing is dead. Here's what smart brands do now"

Hypothetical Question

Pose a 'what if' scenario to spark imagination

"What if everything you know about productivity is wrong?"

Pain Point Question

Directly address a specific problem the audience faces

"What's the #1 mistake killing your Instagram engagement?"

Origin Story

Explain how you discovered something

"The moment I realized I was my own worst enemy..."

The Truth About [Topic]…

Claims to reveal hidden truth, challenging common beliefs.

"The truth about social media algorithms..."

What's really holding you back from

Poses thought-provoking questions that resonate with your audience's challenges.

"What's really holding you back from viral content?"

Challenge Authority

Question established practices

"What big corporations don't want you to know..."

Contrarian Statement

Challenge conventional wisdom

"Unpopular opinion: Working 80-hour weeks is making you less successful"

Relatable Question

Ask about common experiences to build connection

"What would you do if you had just five minutes to change someone's life?"

Transformation Hook

Show dramatic before/after contrast

"I used to think success was about working harder..."

Why TikTok Video Hooks Matter

TikTok hooks aren't just video hooks. You've got constraints that other platforms don't have. You need hooks that grab attention in the first 3 seconds. You need something that drives views in a feed where people watch hundreds of videos. You need hooks that work for short-form video where every second counts. And you need it fast, before they swipe away.

Other platforms can rely on long intros. They can rely on slow builds. They can rely on professional production. TikTok? You get 3 seconds to grab attention. If you pick a hook that doesn't create intrigue, you're starting with a disadvantage. If you pick a hook that's too slow, people swipe away. If you pick a hook that doesn't work for short-form, you're wasting your opportunity.

People watch hundreds of TikTok videos every day. A strong hook helps you stand out. A weak one means you blend in. This isn't vanity—it's practical. Make it easy for people to want to watch. Make it easy for them to engage. That's how you build a following. That's how you go viral.

Generic hooks = generic videos. If your hook could work for any TikTok video, it won't work for yours. Be specific. Be surprising. That's how you get noticed in crowded feeds. That's how you build trust with audiences who've seen every trend.

Step-by-Step TikTok Hook Writing Process

Here's how to actually write TikTok hooks that work. Not just come up with ideas—actually write hooks that grab attention in 3 seconds.

Step 1: Know Your TikTok Audience

Know who you're creating for. Are they Gen Z? Millennials? Entrepreneurs? Your hook needs to speak their language. If you're creating for Gen Z, use curiosity gap hooks. If you're creating for entrepreneurs, use problem-solution hooks. If you're creating for consumers, use storytelling hooks. Know your audience. Then create for them.

Step 2: Choose TikTok-Friendly Hook Types

Use hooks that work for TikTok: curiosity gap, controversy & bold claims, questions, storytelling, or visual & sensory hooks. These grab attention fast and drive views. Avoid slow builds that waste precious seconds. TikTok is fast-paced. Your hooks should be immediate and punchy. Be surprising, not generic.

Step 3: Generate 20+ Hook Options

Create a massive list. Don't filter too early. Use multiple hook types. Mix and match. The best TikTok hooks come from quantity, not early filtering. Generate way more than you think you need. Most will be bad. That's fine. You only need one good one. But you won't find it if you stop at 5 options. Use our hook tool. Use brainstorming sessions. Use different approaches. Use everything. Then filter.

Step 4: Test Your Hook's Attention-Grabbing Power

Before you post, ask yourself: Does this hook grab attention in 3 seconds? Does it create intrigue? Does it work for short-form video? If your hook doesn't pass these tests, you've got a problem. Test before you post. Show people your top 5 hooks. See which ones they remember. See which ones make them want to watch. The hook that passes these tests is the one you want. Don't test with your friends. Test with real viewers. That's how you get honest feedback.

Step 5: Create the Full Video

Your hook is just the beginning. Create a video that delivers on the hook's promise. If your hook promises a secret, reveal the secret. If your hook promises a story, tell the story. If your hook promises insight, deliver insight. Don't bait and switch. Deliver value. That's how you build trust. That's how you build a following.

Step 6: Post and Engage

Post your video. Then engage with comments. Respond to questions. Add value to the conversation. Don't just post and disappear. Engage. That's how you build relationships. That's how you build a community. That's how you go viral.

Common TikTok Hook Mistakes

Most TikTok videos make the same hook mistakes. Here's how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Slow Builds

You start slow. You waste precious seconds. People swipe away before you get to the point. TikTok is fast-paced. Your hook should be immediate and punchy. Don't waste time. Grab attention fast. That's how you get views. That's how you go viral.

Mistake 2: Not Creating Intrigue in 3 Seconds

You write hooks that don't create intrigue fast enough. People decide in 3 seconds. If your hook doesn't grab attention immediately, you're invisible. Create intrigue fast. Make people want to watch. That's how you get views. That's how you build a following.

Mistake 3: Not Working for Short-Form

You write hooks that work for long-form content. TikTok is short-form. Your hook should be concise and punchy. Don't waste time. Get to the point. That's how you grab attention. That's how you get views.

Mistake 4: Being Too Generic

You write hooks that could work for any video. Generic hooks don't grab attention. Be specific. Be surprising. That's how you get noticed. That's how you build a following. Don't blend in. Stand out.

Mistake 5: Not Testing Before Posting

You write a hook you love. You post it. Then you wonder why nobody watched. Test before you post. Show people your top 5 hooks. See which ones they remember. See which ones make them want to watch. The hook that passes these tests is the one you want. Don't guess. Test.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you write TikTok video hooks?

TikTok hooks need to grab attention in the first 3 seconds, drive views, and work for short-form video. Use hooks like curiosity gap, controversy & bold claims, questions, storytelling, or visual & sensory hooks. Avoid slow builds. Generate 20+ options. Test with your audience. Create a video that delivers on the hook's promise. Engage with comments.

What makes a good TikTok hook?

Grabs attention in the first 3 seconds. Creates intrigue immediately. Works for short-form video. Creates shareability. Stands out in crowded feeds. That's the bar. Most TikTok hooks can't clear it.

How long should TikTok hooks be?

Immediate. TikTok is fast-paced. People decide in 3 seconds. Your hook should grab attention immediately. Don't waste time. Get to the point. That's how you get views. That's how you go viral.

What hook types work best for TikTok?

Curiosity Gap hooks, Controversy & Bold Claims hooks, Question hooks, Storytelling hooks, and Visual & Sensory hooks work well for TikTok. They grab attention fast, drive views, and work for short-form video. Avoid slow builds—they don't work on TikTok.

How important is the first 3 seconds for TikTok hooks?

Critical. People decide in 3 seconds whether to keep watching. If your hook doesn't grab attention immediately, you're invisible. Create intrigue fast. Make people want to watch. That's how you get views. That's how you go viral.

TikTok Video Hooks Guide: How to Write Hooks That Get Views

The TL;DR