TikTok announces 2026 trend predictions: 'Fantasy ends, reality arrives'

TikTok has released ' TikTok Next 2026 ,' a report summarizing consumer behavior and trend predictions for 2026. The report highlights a 'return to reality' as a key phrase, moving away from the traditional 'overly romanticized and fantastical' aesthetic and placing greater emphasis on real experiences and community connections.

TikTok Next 2026 Trend Report: Top Trends & Forecast
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According to TikTok's trend report, there has been a long-standing trend on TikTok of using digital tools as a means of escaping reality, such as #romanticizing and #digitalescapism. The report calls this trend 'fantasy' and points out that 'people are becoming less interested in filtered fantasies.'

TikTok predicts that keywords like 'discipline' and 'routine' will become trending themes for people to find peace of mind, rather than overly glamorized influencer posts, as a way to cope with an increasingly unstable world. Specific keywords mentioned include '#lockedin' (to focus and train oneself), '#hygiene' (to improve personal hygiene, including grooming), and '#joblife' (to be honest about work).

TikTok is promoting 'Reali-Tea' as a central trend for the future. Reali-Tea is a combination of 'reality' and 'tea,' with 'tea' being an English slang term meaning 'to talk frankly.' TikTok says that instead of the traditional trend of posting idealized versions of life, the trend will shift to honest reporting and sharing of 'difficult work,' 'imperfect reality,' and 'failures.'

If Reali-Tea becomes popular, it will also change the way users think about shopping on TikTok. According to TikTok, in the past, viral products recommended by glamorous influencers that were simply 'popular' or 'trending' often became popular. However, as users tend to place more importance on reality, they will begin to seek out attractive products made by creators and items with real value that justify their spending.

Rather than overly elaborate advertising or one-sided promotions, honest communication based on the creator's own experiences and building two-way relationships with the community will become more important. Even in the marketing methods of such companies and brands, the trend of 'breaking away from fantasy and emphasizing reality' will be important, and we are entering an era where 'realistic empathy' will be required.