290+ scroll-stopping hooks for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. Filtered by niche, emotion, and format. Copy any hook instantly.
Free resource for creators • Bookmark and reuse before every post
The first 1-3 seconds of your video. It determines whether viewers scroll or stay.
A great hook can 10x your watch time. It's the most important part of any short video.
Browse, filter, and copy. Adapt these templates to your content and style.
Creating viral short-form video content on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels starts with one thing: a scroll-stopping hook. The first 1-3 seconds of your video determine whether viewers watch or keep scrolling. This free hook library contains over 290 proven hook templates that you can copy, customize, and use in your next video.
Our hooks are organized by niche (fitness, finance, education, entertainment, and more), emotional trigger (curiosity, fear, excitement, surprise), and format(question, statement, how-to, story). Whether you're creating content about personal finance tips, workout routines, cooking recipes, or business advice, you'll find hooks that fit your style.
The best creators don't reinvent the wheel—they study what works and adapt it. Use this library as your starting point, then add your unique voice and perspective. Save your favorites, share with your team, and come back before every video you create.
A hook is the opening 1-3 seconds of your video that grabs attention and convinces viewers to keep watching instead of scrolling. It's the single most important factor in video performance on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. A strong hook addresses viewer curiosity, presents a compelling problem, or makes a bold claim that demands attention.
Keep hooks under 3 seconds when spoken aloud. The best hooks are punchy and immediate—viewers decide whether to stay or scroll in the first 1-2 seconds. Text-on-screen hooks should be 8-12 words maximum. The goal is instant impact, not explanation.
Both work well, but for different reasons. Questions create curiosity gaps that viewers want closed. Bold statements establish authority and trigger emotional responses. Test both formats to see what resonates with your audience.
Always deliver on the promise your hook makes. If your hook creates curiosity, your video must satisfy it. The best hooks are intriguing AND accurate—they set expectations your content actually meets.
TikTok audiences respond well to pattern interrupts and trending sounds. YouTube Shorts viewers often prefer authority-based hooks and value-forward openings. Instagram Reels fall somewhere in between. Adapt your hooks to each platform's culture.
Treat these hooks as templates. Replace generic terms with niche-specific language, adjust the tone to match your brand voice, and personalize with your own experiences or data. The structure works—make the words yours.
Educational hooks work best when they promise transformation or reveal hidden knowledge. Try formats like "Most people don't know...", "I wish someone told me this sooner...", or "Here's what [experts] won't tell you...". The key is making viewers feel they'll miss out on valuable information if they scroll.
Test new hooks regularly, but don't abandon what works. A good practice is to try 2-3 new hook styles per week while keeping your proven performers in rotation. Track your retention graphs to see which hooks keep viewers watching longest.
Yes, but adapt it slightly each time. Successful creators often have signature hook styles that their audience recognizes. The key is delivering fresh value after the hook—viewers will forgive a familiar opening if the content is valuable.
Viral hooks typically combine strong emotion with curiosity. They make bold claims, challenge common beliefs, or promise exclusive information. The most viral hooks also have an element of relatability—viewers see themselves in the scenario being presented.