Trendjacking
What does Trendjacking mean?
Trendjacking is the practice of a brand, creator, or influencer jumping onto a viral meme, sound, event, or online conversation to gain attention and engagement.
Trendjacking used in a sentence
“The cereal brand's account was trendjacking within an hour, posting its own version of the viral dance with a mascot costume.”
This example shows the term in context rather than treating the definition as a literal word-for-word substitution. Slang often depends on tone, audience, and the conversation around it.
How do you use Trendjacking?
Marketers use trendjacking as a neutral strategy term, while audiences often use it critically when a company forces itself into a meme it does not understand. Timing and cultural fit are everything: a well-judged post can feel clever, but a late or tone-deaf one becomes 'corporate cringe' and can backfire.
Where did Trendjacking come from?
Trendjacking grew out of marketing language such as 'newsjacking,' which describes inserting a brand into breaking news. The broader trendjacking label became standard in social media marketing in the 2010s and 2020s as brands chased viral dances, memes, and sounds on TikTok, X, and Instagram.
Common variations of Trendjacking
trend-jacking
A hyphenated spelling seen in marketing guides.
Trendjacking: frequently asked questions
Is trendjacking always negative?
No. Marketers treat it as a normal tactic, but audiences often criticize it when brands seem late, forced, or insensitive.
What is the difference between trendjacking and newsjacking?
Newsjacking is tied to breaking news, while trendjacking covers any trending topic, including memes, dances, and viral sounds.