Part of ✍️ MODULE 2: AI Content Creation for Social Media (Articles 6–10) in Crash Course: Managing Social Media with AI Tools as a Service
“Wait… you mean I don’t have to scroll TikTok for three hours a day anymore?”
Let’s just get this out of the way: manually researching hashtags and trends is a soul-sucking time trap. One minute you’re looking up #ProductivityTips for a client post, and next thing you know, you’re knee-deep in “Hot Girl Walk” memes and wondering if you need a Stanley cup and an emotional support water bottle to stay relevant.
We’ve all been there.
But good news? That mind-numbing rabbit hole—yep, there’s an AI for that now.
So, whether you’re new to social media or just tired of the algorithm chase, let’s talk about how AI tools can turn that dreaded hashtag hunt into a slick, strategic process. One that you can literally automate in your sleep.
Ready to free up your brain for the stuff that actually matters (like content ideas, client growth, or watching cat videos guilt-free)? Let’s go.
🤯 Why Hashtags and Trends Even Matter (Still)
You might be wondering—do hashtags still do anything in 2025?
Short answer: yup.
Long answer: It depends on the platform. But yes, hashtags + trending topics are still your cheat codes for visibility, especially if you’re starting from zero.
Think of hashtags like social GPS. They help the algorithm know where to send your content, and they help your audience stumble across you when they’re searching, scrolling, or doom-scrolling at 2 a.m. looking for “easy overnight oats recipes.”
Plus, jumping on trends at the right time (not three weeks later when it’s already in grandma meme territory) gives your brand that plugged-in, “we know what’s up” vibe. Authentic? Yes. Strategic? Also yes.
💡 “But How the Heck Do I Find These Trends and Hashtags Without Losing My Mind?”
Let’s break it down. Here’s how we used to do it (pre-AI):
- Manually scroll TikTok’s Discover page for hours
- Stalk other creators in your niche
- Check what’s trending on Twitter (X? Who knows anymore…)
- Use 7 different hashtag apps with questionable UI
- Keep an Excel sheet of what worked and what flopped (ugh)
Sound exhausting? That’s because it is.
Now with AI tools, this whole spaghetti-at-the-wall process gets a glow-up.
🤖 Meet Your Hashtag + Trend Assistants (aka AI Tools That Actually Do the Work)
1. Flick.ai – Hashtag Research That’s Actually Smart
Flick isn’t just another “hashtag generator.” It actually tracks:
- What hashtags are trending in your niche
- How competitive they are
- Which ones are likely to get your posts discovered
You can plug in a keyword like “budget travel” and it’ll spit out 20+ hashtags that are currently hot and appropriate for your account size. Because let’s be real—using #Travel on a brand new account is like whispering in Times Square.
My tip? Use a mix: a few low-competition hashtags (easier wins), some mid-range, and maybe one or two “stretch goals” for exposure.
2. TrendSpider (but for social) – Social Listening AI Tools Like Trendpop, BuzzSumo, or Exploding Topics
These tools dig through millions of posts, news stories, and memes to tell you what’s about to trend—not what already peaked. That’s key.
Some features I love:
- Alerts when something’s spiking in your niche
- “Microtrend” spotting before it goes viral (think: cottagecore before it hit mainstream)
- Competitive research so you can see what your niche neighbors are doing—without the awkward DMs
If you’re in the beauty space, for instance, and suddenly “blueberry milk nails” start popping, these tools catch it before it’s stale.
Pro move: Set up automated alerts for your niche keywords and audience interests so you’re always early to the trend party.
3. ChatGPT (yep, me) – For Hashtag Brainstorms, Captions & Trend Surfing
Let’s say you’re launching a wellness brand on TikTok. You can literally ask:
“Hey, what hashtags are trending right now for Gen Z wellness creators?”
And I’ll give you fresh suggestions, explain why they’re relevant, and even bundle them into 30-day content plans with prompts, hooks, and ideas that actually convert.
You can even go one step further and ask me:
“Give me captions for each post and a few viral audios I should try.”
It’s like having a strategist on speed dial. One that doesn’t judge when you’re working in pajamas and drinking your third iced coffee of the day. (We’ve all been there.)
4. Canva Magic Write or Jasper.ai – For Trend-Adaptive Copy + Captions
Okay, so you’ve got the trend. But how do you ride it without sounding like you’re trying too hard?
These tools help you:
- Adapt trending ideas into your voice
- Use current lingo and slang without sounding like Steve Buscemi with a skateboard
- Keep captions tight, clear, and conversion-focused
Extra bonus: Many tools now integrate directly into Canva, so you can pair these captions with visuals right there—no bouncing between tabs. (Bless.)
🧪 So What Does “Automating” This Process Actually Look Like?
It’s not just “use AI once and never check again.” (Sorry. I wish.)
Here’s what a realistic AI-powered workflow looks like:
WEEKLY TREND + HASHTAG CHECK-IN (15 mins)
- Open your favorite trend tool (Trendpop, Exploding Topics, etc.)
- Search your niche + save what’s bubbling up
- Paste key terms into Flick or ChatGPT
- Generate your hashtags for the week
MONTHLY CONTENT SPRINT (30–60 mins)
- Pick 3-5 trends to jump on
- Use ChatGPT or Jasper to generate post ideas
- Use Canva or CapCut templates to quickly design
- Schedule everything in your tool of choice (Buffer, Later, Metricool)
Then? Let it run. You’re working smarter now.
🎤 Real Talk: The First Time I Tried This, I Totally Messed It Up
Yep. I went full AI-mode and let a tool auto-pick 30 hashtags for a client in the fitness niche. No manual check, no filtering.
The result?
A beautiful post… tagged with #musclemoms #fitover60 and #proteinpancakes. For a 22-year-old tech bro. Oops.
Lesson? AI is the assistant. You’re still the boss.
Check the suggestions, make ‘em yours, and don’t post blindly.
🎁 Quick-Glance: Tools You’ll Love (And Why)
Tool | What It’s Good At | Use Case |
Flick | Hashtag research | Build bundles by niche + difficulty |
Exploding Topics | Trend forecasting | Find what’s about to pop |
ChatGPT | Brainstorms + captions | Ask for fresh hashtags or trend hooks |
BuzzSumo | Influencer + content tracking | See what’s performing in your industry |
Jasper / Magic Write | Trend-aware captions | Write like a human, not a headline bot |
CapCut + TikTok Trends | Viral editing + audio | Edit fast, trend smart |
💬 Final Thought: Trends Come and Go—Your Voice Is What Makes It Stick
Look, I’m all about the data and automation, but don’t lose your weird in the process.
It’s the creator who says something different about a trend, who brings personality into their post, who combines the insight with their own flair—that’s the one who gets the real traction.
So automate the research, absolutely. But keep your finger on the pulse, your heart in the message, and your own flavor in the post.
And if you’re ever stuck? I’ll be here—ready to dig up trending tags and questionable memes with you. 😉