On TikTok, the first three seconds are not part of the video; they *are* the video. In that tiny window, a viewer decides whether to give you their time or to swipe into oblivion. A hook is the science of making them stay. This guide breaks down the proven formulas for crafting irresistible hooks and shows you how our AI Hook Generator can be your ultimate creative partner.

The Psychology of the Scroll: Why Hooks Work

A successful hook works by exploiting a fundamental aspect of human psychology: the desire for closure. By creating a "curiosity gap" or violating an expectation, you create a mental itch that the viewer feels compelled to scratch by watching the rest of your video.

• Curiosity Gap: You present information that is incomplete, forcing the viewer to stay to find the answer.
• Pattern Interrupt: You break the viewer's passive scrolling pattern with something shocking, strange, or unexpected.

The 7 Categories of Viral Hooks

Most viral hooks fall into one of these seven categories. Master them, and you'll never run out of ideas.

1. The "You're Doing It Wrong" Hook: This challenges a common belief or behavior.
   • Formula: "You've been [common activity] wrong your whole life."
   • Example (for a chef): "You've been chopping onions wrong your whole life. Here's the fast way."
2. The "Secret Unveiled" Hook: This promises to reveal insider information.
   • Formula: "Here's a secret about [topic] they don't want you to know."
   • Example (for a lawyer): "Here's a secret about airline contracts they don't want you to know when your flight is canceled."
3. The "Controversial Opinion" Hook: State a strong, polarizing opinion to spark debate.
   • Formula: "[Unpopular opinion] is actually the best way to [achieve goal]."
   • Example (for a fitness coach): "Cardio is actually the worst way to lose fat. Here's why."
4. The "Problem/Agitation" Hook: Start with a relatable problem.
   • Formula: "If you're struggling with [problem], you need to see this."
   • Example (for a skincare expert): "If you're still struggling with acne after trying everything, you need to see this."
5. The "Visual" Hook: Start with a visually arresting or satisfying shot that has no immediate explanation. (e.g., a close-up of a strange texture, a satisfying ASMR-style action).
6. The "Storytime" Hook: Begin in the middle of a dramatic story.
   • Formula: "The moment I knew I had to [dramatic action]."
   • Example (for an entrepreneur): "The moment I knew I had to quit my 9-to-5 job."
7. The "Question" Hook: Ask a direct question that the viewer wants to know the answer to.
   • Formula: "What would happen if you [action]?"
   • Example (for a scientist): "What would happen if you put a strawberry under a microscope?"

A/B Testing: The Data-Driven Approach to Hooks

Don't guess which hook is best—test it. If you have a great video idea, create two or three different versions with different hooks. Post them a few days apart and see which one performs best in the first 24 hours. Pay close attention to your average watch time. The version with the highest watch time has the winning hook. Double down on that style for your future content.

Conclusion: The Hook is a Skill, Not a Guess

Crafting a powerful hook is a skill that can be learned and systemized. By understanding the psychology behind what makes people stop scrolling and by mastering the proven formulas, you can dramatically increase the performance of every single video you create. Use the AI Hook Generator as your brainstorming partner to ensure you never start a video with a weak intro again. Master the hook, and you'll master the algorithm.