Every year, social media feels like a never-ending avalanche of trends, challenges, and viral moments. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, boom – suddenly, everyone’s obsessed with a new dance,
an AI-generated meme, or a strangely satisfying ASMR video of someone slicing soap.
So, what kind of content actually dominated social feeds in 2024? From addictive short-form videos to unboxing clips that kept people on the edge of their seats, let’s break down the biggest content types that people couldn’t stop watching, sharing, and recreating this year.
1. Short-Form Video (Still the King of Content)
If you thought short-form video was just a phase, 2024 has proven otherwise. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are still running the internet, and let’s be real – how many times have you opened TikTok for “five minutes” and then looked up to realize an hour has passed?
People crave fast, engaging content. Whether it’s:
- A 15-second comedy skit that nails an oddly specific life experience.
- A “Day in My Life” vlog that makes the mundane look aesthetically pleasing.
- A cooking hack that somehow manages to look both delicious and impossible to replicate at home.
The secret sauce? Authenticity. Perfectly polished, highly edited content is taking a backseat to real, unfiltered moments that feel like a peek into someone’s actual life.
2. Unboxing Videos (The Thrill of the Unknown)
Let’s talk about the weirdly satisfying genre of unboxing videos. You know, the ones where someone carefully peels back layers of packaging, revealing a shiny new gadget, rare sneaker, or luxury handbag. There’s something about watching someone unwrap a mystery that triggers pure dopamine.
And speaking of mystery…
Unboxing videos have been blowing up, and for good reason: the suspense. You don’t know what you’re getting until that box is opened, and that thrill is exactly what makes people watch (and rewatch) these videos.
Seriously, if you’ve ever caught yourself watching someone else open a package like it’s an Olympic event, you’re not alone.
3. AI-Generated Content (Because Why Not Let Robots Entertain Us?)
AI has officially taken over social media, and people can’t get enough of it. Whether it’s an AI-powered voice clone of your favorite celebrity saying ridiculous things, AI-generated art that’s eerily realistic, or those hilarious “What Would You Look Like in the 1920s?” filters – AI content is everywhere.
Some of the biggest AI content trends of 2024 include:
- Deepfake celebrity impressions (because why wouldn’t we want to see Tom Holland rapping?)
- AI-generated music covers (ever heard an AI version of Drake singing a Taylor Swift song? It’s wild.)
- AI-assisted storytelling (creators using ChatGPT-like tools to generate crazy plot twists)
People love AI content for the sheer unpredictability of it. But let’s be honest – it’s also just fun to see what these tools come up with.
4. Interactive and POV Content (Putting the Audience in Control)
One of the biggest shifts in 2024? Viewers don’t just want to watch – they want to be part of the content.
That’s why formats like: ✔ POV (Point of View) videos – where creators act out scenarios like “POV: You’re the new kid in class” – have exploded. ✔ “Choose Your Own Adventure” content, where creators let followers vote on what happens next. ✔ Live shopping events, where viewers can comment in real-time and even buy featured products instantly.
This trend is all about engagement. People don’t just want to scroll passively; they want to feel involved – whether that means voting in a poll, reacting to a live stream, or literally deciding a video’s next plot twist.
5. Challenges & Trends (The Content That Keeps Coming Back)
No social media roundup is complete without viral challenges.
2024 gave us:
- The “One Song Workout” Challenge (trying to get a full-body workout in the length of one song – brutal but effective).
- The “No Context Storytime” trend, where creators tell an absolutely insane story in under 30 seconds with zero explanation.
- The AI vs. Human Art Challenge, where people try to guess if an artwork was made by a person or a machine.
Why do challenges work? Because they make content feel communal. When a trend blows up, everyone wants in on it. Whether it’s dancing, cooking, or trying some oddly specific challenge, participation is what fuels virality.
What’s Next?
Social media in 2024 has been chaotic, unpredictable, and wildly entertaining – just the way we like it. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that people crave engagement, surprise, and authenticity. Whether it’s watching a Hypedrop unboxing, testing out an AI filter, or jumping on a challenge, the content that wins is the kind that makes people feel something.
So, what content has kept you glued to your phone this year? Are you guilty of binge-watching unboxing videos? (Same.) Drop your favorite social media trend in the comments – I wanna know what’s been taking over your feed!