McDonald’s has long been a cultural icon, not only because of its food but also for its presence on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The fast-food giant has adeptly capitalized on social media trends, engaging millions of users through viral campaigns and fan-driven content. Here’s a look at some of the most popular McDonald’s Instagram and TikTok trends that have captured the attention of users worldwide.
1. The BTS Meal Craze
One of McDonald’s most successful collaborations in recent years was the BTS Meal, released in May 2021. The meal, created in partnership with the globally popular K-pop band BTS, quickly became a social media phenomenon. The BTS Meal included a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, fries, a drink, and two signature dipping sauces: Sweet Chili and Cajun.
Fans of BTS took to Instagram and TikTok to showcase their BTS Meal unboxings, dancing to the band’s hits while enjoying the meal. TikTok videos with the hashtag #BTSMeal received millions of views, and Instagram influencers shared their experiences with the exclusive meal. The collaboration not only boosted McDonald’s sales but also created a viral trend centered around the excitement of a limited-time offering.
2. The “McDonald’s Hacks”
TikTok has become a hub for creative McDonald’s hacks, where users share unique ways to customize their favorite items or combine menu items to create new flavor experiences. These “hacks” often go viral due to the creativity and simplicity behind them. Some of the most famous McDonald’s hacks include the “Land, Sea, and Air” burger, which combines a burger patty, chicken patty, and filet-o-fish in one sandwich, or the “McChicken McDouble,” which layers a McChicken patty into a McDouble.
These hacks have been widely shared on TikTok and Instagram, with users creating videos of themselves making these custom combinations, resulting in thousands of user-generated videos tagged with #McDonaldsHacks. The trend created a new wave of excitement for McDonald’s menu items and even led to some fans attempting to recreate McDonald’s limited-time offerings at home.
3. The McFlurry Stirring Challenge
In 2021, a TikTok challenge involving the McFlurry went viral when users began stirring their McFlurry cups in unique and exaggerated ways. The “McFlurry Stirring Challenge” encouraged users to create fun and exaggerated stirring techniques while showcasing their favorite McFlurry flavors. Some users stirred their McFlurries with oversized spoons or even used their entire arm to mix the treat, leading to playful and entertaining content.
The challenge quickly gained traction on TikTok, with videos tagged with #McFlurryStirringChallenge flooding users’ feeds. McDonald’s fans shared their creativity and love for the dessert, contributing to the ongoing trend and making McFlurries a must-have item in McDonald’s marketing.
4. The McDonald’s “Meal Reveal” Videos
The “meal reveal” trend emerged as a fun way for McDonald’s lovers to showcase their orders. Influencers and everyday TikTok users started revealing their McDonald’s meals in a way that mimicked the excitement of receiving a gift. These videos typically showed users unboxing their McDonald’s bags and then dramatically revealing what they ordered, often paired with exaggerated reactions or over-the-top music.
Hashtags like #McDonaldsReveal and #McDonaldsUnboxing gained a lot of traction, and the trend saw McDonald’s fans enjoying the suspense of the meal reveal as if it were a surprise or gift. The trend worked so well because it combined food excitement with the anticipation of opening a McDonald’s bag.
5. The “I’m Lovin’ It” Challenge
McDonald’s iconic slogan, “I’m Lovin’ It,” became the centerpiece of a viral TikTok challenge. In this trend, participants filmed themselves dancing or lip-syncing to the famous “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle, often incorporating McDonald’s food into their performances. Many users got creative by dressing up in McDonald’s-themed outfits, while others incorporated McDonald’s products like fries and burgers into their videos.
The “I’m Lovin’ It” challenge helped McDonald’s capitalize on the popularity of music-driven trends on TikTok, while also reinforcing their catchy slogan and brand identity. This challenge demonstrated how McDonald’s was able to tap into the TikTok culture while maintaining its signature fun and engaging personality.
6. The “McDonald’s vs. Burger King” Debate
The long-standing rivalry between McDonald’s and Burger King has fueled a plethora of memes and TikTok trends. On TikTok, users frequently make humorous videos comparing the two fast-food giants, with some users playfully “roasting” McDonald’s or defending its supremacy. The debate often revolves around which brand offers better burgers, fries, or overall taste.
This trend plays on the existing cultural rivalry, leading to countless TikTok videos where fans take sides and humorously argue the merits of McDonald’s versus Burger King. These debates are often light-hearted and satirical, with users showcasing their personal preferences in a creative and comical way.
7. McDonald’s Food ASMR
ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) videos have taken over social media, and McDonald’s is no stranger to this trend. Many TikTok creators have jumped on the bandwagon, filming videos of themselves eating McDonald’s food while focusing on the sounds of crunching fries, sipping drinks, or tearing into McNuggets. These ASMR videos offer a sensory experience for viewers, and their popularity on TikTok has made McDonald’s food a go-to choice for ASMR enthusiasts.
These videos often feature satisfying close-ups of McDonald’s food, making it look irresistibly appetizing while amplifying the ASMR experience. The hashtag #McDonaldsASMR has gained significant traction, and the food chain has embraced the trend, with McDonald’s-related ASMR videos consistently drawing attention from food lovers around the world.
8. McDonald’s Limited-Time Offers and Secret Menu Items
McDonald’s frequently introduces limited-time menu items, and these seasonal offerings often take the spotlight on social media. From the McRib’s annual return to special holiday-themed items, McDonald’s fans love to create content around these unique products. TikTok and Instagram users often flock to the platforms to share their excitement about new releases, showcasing their first bites or discussing the flavor profiles of these exclusive items.
Additionally, the McDonald’s “secret menu” has been a recurring theme on social media, where fans share “off-menu” items they have created or discovered. These secret menu items are typically concoctions that combine various menu staples, and TikTok users enjoy sharing how to make them. Whether it’s the “Hash Brown McMuffin” or the “Big McChicken,” McDonald’s secret menu provides endless content for social media trends.
9. The McDonald’s Christmas Playlist
As the holiday season approaches, McDonald’s has embraced the festive spirit with its annual Christmas Playlist, which has become a popular trend on Instagram and TikTok. The playlist features cozy, holiday-themed music played in the background of McDonald’s holiday ads, making it a festive treat for fans. Many TikTok users create content where they enjoy their McDonald’s orders while playing the tunes from the playlist, sharing their festive spirit with others.
The seasonal playlist has garnered a lot of attention, with fans celebrating McDonald’s holiday vibes, whether it’s through videos of McFlurries, holiday-themed burgers, or the joy of unwrapping a Big Mac in front of the Christmas tree.
Conclusion
McDonald’s has proven to be a master of adapting to the ever-changing world of social media, especially Instagram and TikTok. From viral food hacks to celebrity partnerships and seasonal promotions, McDonald’s has created a brand that is as iconic online as it is in the drive-thru. As social media trends continue to evolve, we can expect McDonald’s to remain at the forefront of the next big viral craze, bringing fans together over delicious food and entertaining content.