What’s Trending: January Edition
It is hard to believe that 2016 was a full decade ago, but social media is currently obsessed with bringing that specific era back to the forefront. The “2016 Reset” has users digging through their archives to share old photos and videos, and you can do the same. In an age of high-polish influencer culture and AI-generated content, audiences are longing for the human-made authenticity that reminds us of a simpler, messier digital past. For businesses, this nostalgia-driven moment is more than just a trend; it’s a reminder that connection beats curation. TikTok and Instagram Reels thrive on participation, not perfection. By tapping into trends, your brand can stay relevant while showing up as real people, not just polished logos.
Bowe Digital is here to help! We share monthly updates on what’s trending in video and audio, so all you have to do is get behind the camera. If you need help getting started on TikTok, check out our TikTok ebook. We also offer Studio Days, where our team will join you for 4 or 6 hours of video recording at a great price.
What’s in My Bag Video Trend
Give us a peek into your everyday life by pairing this Bella Hadid audio with your work bag essentials. Film one video of your bag with everything in it, and another of your laptop, headphones, sunglasses, notebook, etc., laid out, as @cathjcanlas did, or do it in one take, like this example. If you work from home, like us, you can take a humorous approach and show us the inside of an empty bag.
We’ve seen a lot of pets and babies starring in this trend (if you have one, that’s great!), but who’s to say your boss or coworker isn’t just as cute? Film a quick bird’s-eye video while bouncing to the beat like this. You may look a little silly filming it, but it’s really this easy.
Can I Interest You in Something Called Me Audio Trend
Use this audio to highlight anything you or your business is offering. Swap “me” with “a job,” “a social media manager,” “a title insurance policy” or anything else that fits your niche.
You Have to Believe Me Audio Trend
Stranger Things have happened than you making a TikTok. Teachers, realtors, boutiques and more are all putting their own spin on this trend, which uses an audio clip from the hit show that just aired its final season. Put your own spin on it by sharing something no one takes seriously about you or your job.
A dirt-covered kid lured his mom to the trampoline, and now he’s a viral CapCut template being used by people and businesses of all kinds. It’s wild that that’s how the internet works these days. Nonetheless, we encourage you to use his master manipulation skills to highlight something you’re trying to sell people on—trying your product, making a TikTok, visiting your office, using a new tool or understanding the importance of your job.
It’s no surprise that the Stranger Things cast is making another appearance in this blog. They believe that Eleven is still alive. What do you believe in? Use this template to tell us about something at work, like this or in your personal life, like this.
Looking Ahead
To stay ahead of the curve, it’s essential to look at where the platforms themselves see the culture heading. TikTok recently released its “TikTok Next” 2026 report, highlighting a major shift toward what they call “Irreplaceable Instinct”—a move away from mindless scrolling and toward content rooted in curiosity and care.
Here are the three key pillars TikTok predicts will dominate this year:
- Reali-TEA: Audiences are officially over “curated perfection.” Brands that lean into raw, unfiltered, and real-life experiences will see much higher engagement.
- Curiosity Detours: Niche is the new mainstream. TikTok sees a massive opportunity for brands that align with hyper-specific subcultures and “detour” away from broad, generic content.
- Emotional ROI: Users want to know the “why” behind their purchases. Successful marketing in 2026 will focus on providing clarity and showing the true emotional value of a product or service.
Want to dive deeper into the data? Read the full article on Social Media Today here.To work with Bowe Digital, email Heather Lundsford at heather@bowedigital.com or learn more about our services at bowe.btldem.com/.
