TikTok and Instagram see July 2026 shift toward viral crime videos and World Cup hype

In July 2026, social‑media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram experienced a surge in the sharing of real‑time crime footage. The raw, emotionally charged videos attracted high engagement, driven by users’ fear of missing out and platform algorithms that prioritize content generating strong reactions.

At the same time, the FIFA World Cup fueled a wave of viral trends for businesses, including a “Dai Dai” dance challenge, the “1 phrase, 4 emotions” format, glitch edits set to Charli XCX’s “Rock Music,” and videos flipping the stereotype that women don’t know football. Brands are encouraged to adopt these formats to reach audiences during the tournament’s peak interest.