Top 10 TikTok Ads That Went Viral in 2025 (And Why They Worked)
As TikTok continues to dominate the short-form video space, brands are stepping up their game to create ads that don’t just sell — they entertain, connect, and most importantly, go viral.
Here are the top 10 TikTok ads of 2025 that caught everyone’s attention, along with the marketing techniques behind their success.
1. Nike – “Make Your Move” Challenge
Why it worked:
Nike launched an interactive branded hashtag challenge encouraging users to show off their dance routines in Nike gear. The use of an original soundtrack and collaboration with top TikTok influencers made it irresistible to Gen Z users.
🔥 Result: 2.5 billion views on the hashtag
🎯 Strategy: Branded Hashtag + Influencers + User-Generated Content
2. Dunkin’ Donuts – “Sip and Spill” Series
Why it worked:
Dunkin’ created a hilarious series of skits involving coffee spills and awkward moments, ending with their signature iced coffee. Relatable humor + product placement = win.
🔥 Result: 14 million engagements in 3 weeks
🎯 Strategy: Relatable storytelling + humor
3. Samsung – Galaxy Flip5 “Snap and Fold”
Why it worked:
Samsung used a quick transition format showing how the Galaxy Flip folds in real-time during makeup, outfit, and travel transitions. It appealed to creators and tech lovers.
🔥 Result: 1.8 billion views on the ad series
🎯 Strategy: Visual satisfaction + product feature demo
4. Duolingo – “Owl In The Wild”
Why it worked:
Duolingo’s mascot, the owl, was placed in unexpected real-world scenarios like gyms, trains, and weddings—reminding users to learn languages. Quirky and viral.
🔥 Result: 22 million shares
🎯 Strategy: Humor + Mascot branding
5. Shein – “1 Outfit, 5 Styles”
Why it worked:
This fashion brand focused on transformation content: one base outfit, styled five different ways. Perfect for TikTok’s quick-edit culture.
🔥 Result: 7 million likes in 5 days
🎯 Strategy: Fast edits + fashion hacks
6. Pepsi – “What If Pepsi Was a Person?”
Why it worked:
Pepsi humanized their drink with an actor portraying the “Pepsi personality” in dramatic and humorous ways. The absurdity made it highly shareable.
🔥 Result: 9 million duets and remixes
🎯 Strategy: Original character + meme potential
7. Fenty Beauty – Real Skin, Real Shades
Why it worked:
They used real users of diverse backgrounds showcasing the foundation line with raw, unfiltered videos. Honest, inclusive, and confidence-building.
🔥 Result: 2.1 million saves
🎯 Strategy: Diversity + authenticity
8. McDonald’s – “Guess The Sauce” Game
Why it worked:
They gamified the ad—users had to guess which sauce was used in a mystery McNugget dip challenge. It drove massive interaction in comments.
🔥 Result: 11 million comments
🎯 Strategy: Gamification + food content
9. Adobe Express – “Made This in 30 Seconds”
Why it worked:
Adobe showcased how easy it is to design a poster or video using their mobile app. It appealed to creators who value speed and aesthetics.
🔥 Result: 3.2 million downloads tracked via TikTok
🎯 Strategy: Product demonstration + time-lapse editing
10. Crocs – “Ugly But Iconic” Trend
Why it worked:
They leaned into the meme that Crocs are ugly but comfortable. Users posted their transformations wearing Crocs with pride. Bold, self-aware, and viral.
🔥 Result: 1.5 billion hashtag views
🎯 Strategy: Self-deprecating humor + trend hijacking
Lessons From These Viral Ads
Here’s what made these TikTok ads work in 2025:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Humor | Funny content gets shared more often |
| Trends | Leveraging current TikTok trends boosts discoverability |
| Influencers | Creators lend authenticity and trust |
| Challenges | User participation creates organic growth |
| Realness | Audiences connect more with real, unfiltered content |
| Creativity | Unique ideas always break through the noise |
Final Thoughts
Viral TikTok ads in 2025 prove that success isn’t just about big budgets — it’s about creative storytelling, authenticity, and audience interaction. Whether you’re a global brand or a startup, these insights can help shape your next campaign.