The Top Brands Winning on Reels & TikTok and What Can You Learn?

Ever scrolled through Reels or TikTok and paused because top brands on Reels nailed that perfect hook every time? Probably their secret is jumping on sounds early while keeping everything super relatable for everyday fans who scroll endlessly. TikTok delivers 15× More Impressions than Instagram Reels, but Reels have 2× the median click-through rate (CTR) compared to TikToks. In 2026, these platforms drive massive brand growth on short-form video, and top brands on TikTok lead by mixing fun trends with real stories that stick with viewers. At ShortVids, we boost that magic through High-Quality Video Production, turning average clips into viewer magnets that spark shares and loyalty. 

ShortVids helps by making stories pop clearer, so engagement skyrockets and brands stay top of feeds for longer periods. Best performing brand reels shine in Social Media brand case studies showing reels marketing examples that feel like chats with friends, not sales pitches. They master TikTok marketing examples by posting consistently and answering what fans actually search for, like best quick hacks for workouts or daily motivation. Definitely studying these best-performing brands on TikTok unlocks paths to viral wins anyone can easily grab in 2026. 

Why Do Brands Rely on Shorts for Massive Growth in 2026? 

Shorts match fast-scroll habits perfectly, so top brands on TikTok grab eyes quickly and build lasting habits among fans. Brands using short-form video are seeing 34% higher conversion rates compared to Static Ads. This playbook reveals their exact non-generic moves for explosive reach and real connections.

• Higher engagement holds attention – Videos under 60 seconds get 1200% more shares than text/images, as Chipotle’s dances keep viewers watching full clips.

• Algorithm pushes virality – TikTok’s For You Page blasts content to non-followers (90% of views) like e.l.f jingles, exploding sales 300% organically.

• Quick growth for small brands – Minimal budgets yield explosive followers since Taco Bell challenges turn duets into 10M trends fast.

• Versatile storytelling fits all – Tutorials/product demos like Maybelline steps convert mid-scroll with 60% higher completion vs long videos.

• Mobile-first boosts ROI – Vertical clips match phone habits, driving Dunkin’ hacks to 12% engagement, cheaper than banners. 

Which Top Brands Dominate Short-form Marketing in 2026? 

These leaders treat shorts like fun conversations, not stiff sales pitches at all. ShortVids polishes their style for smoother flow, boosting Brand Voice on short-form video effortlessly every single time.

Duolingo

Duolingo’s cheeky owl dives into fresh memes, blending quick language quizzes with viral dances that rack up 4.7 million followers on Instagram and steady app installs through pure fun every single day. Their approach keeps users hooked and coming back regularly. Top brands on Reels envy this shareable education twist that feels like playtime, not boring lessons for sure. 

Duolingo reported huge Short-Form Content growth views on YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels grew 430%–450% year-over-year per their investor materials. 

Red Bull

Best performing brands on TikTok copy this pulse-racing access that turns simple views into real ticket sales, surely. Red Bull films raw athlete stunts in tight 15-second clips, mixing hilarious fails and epic wins to hype 15 million fans toward energy drink grabs and event signups. 

Their average views per video (over the last three months) are around 4.3 million. High-quality, quick-paced content always feels exclusive and thrilling. 

Crocs

Hype cycles build loyalty fast. Their biggest challenge was the #ThousandDollarCrocs challenge, where users were encouraged to “class up” their crocs as fancy as possible. In partnership with singer Post Malone, YouTuber Adam W, and others, the campaign generated over 3 billion video views. 

Crocs has run several celebrity collabs (like Post Malone), and these drops do generate a lot of buzz and social media hype. TikTok marketing examples highlight how comfort turns ugly chic into viral profit machines that work profitably. 

Nike

Nike shares pro tips on form fused with street workouts, inspiring millions to tag buddies and buy gear right mid-scroll without pushing hard.  Key to its digital success was the strategic use of #MambaDay and other similar hashtags, expanding its meaning beyond a tribute. According to NewsWhip by Sprout Social, Nike’s Instagram account saw a significant increase in interactions (over 776K) when they posted this video linking the Mamba Mentality to FC Barcelona. 

Social media brand case studies prove that this attainable motivation fuels steady brand growth on short-form video naturally over time. Viewers feel empowered daily. 

Ryanair

Ryanair skewers flight dramas with skits, roasting delays that snag 41.9million likes,  and 1.8 million followers and ticket clicks from Gen Z travelers weekly. Reels marketing examples show satire builds buzz cheaper than ads while feeling brutally honest and relatable. Engagement stays high consistently. Here’s what Ryanair is doing differently: 

What Lessons To Learn from Best-Performing Brands’ Reels in 2026? 

Winners share tactics that scale fast, so adapt them now for your clips. ShortVids sharpens your edge for hooks that convert views to superfans happily and reliably.

Brand	What They Do Differently	What We Can Learn
Duolingo	Turns language learning into meme‑driven, character‑led skits across Reels, TikTok, and Shorts with 400%+ short‑form view growth.	Use a recognizable character and repeatable joke format so short‑form content feels like entertainment, not education.
Red Bull	Publishes fast, raw, 15‑second stunts and behind‑the‑scenes clips that average millions of views per video.	Lead with high‑impact action in the first seconds and keep edits tight so every frame delivers energy and emotion.
Crocs	Builds hashtag challenges and celebrity collabs like #ThousandDollarCrocs that earn billions of views.	Design simple, participatory challenges and pair them with creators so fans naturally generate on‑brand content.
Nike	Mixes inspirational storytelling with athlete and street‑level clips plus smart hashtag moments like #MambaDay.	Connect products to a larger mindset or movement so short videos inspire viewers instead of just showing features.
Ryanair	Uses self‑deprecating, low‑fi memes that embrace the “unloved airline” image and generate tens of millions of likes.	Lean into honest brand truths and humor, using native, scrappy edits that match how people actually post on TikTok and Reels.

Instant Hooks

Best performing brand reels swear by this scroll-stopper, raising shares across feeds, definitely without fail. Top brands on TikTok start with shocks like Guess this epic fail. Videos on Short‑Form Platforms that nail a strong “hook” in the first 3 seconds can see up to 65% longer average watch time compared with weak openings. Viewers stay glued from the second one onward. Some examples of instant hooks are: 

Trend Blends

TikTok marketing examples confirm this timely mix explodes brand growth on short-form video without pushy sales at all. Content spreads organically fast. They fuse Charli XCX beats with demos seamlessly growing to reach 5x while voices stay crystal clear for authentic trend rides that feel natural. For example, Chipotle’s #GuacDance on TikTok took a fun, upbeat tune and turned it into a dance challenge. Users posted hundreds of thousands of dance clips, and the Marketing Campaign earned over 430 million video starts in just a few days. 

Real Voices

Every day, creators duet products, building trust as fakes flop hard, creating loyalty bonds that fans promote Across Platforms freely. Social media brand case studies back genuine ties for 3x deeper engagement over celeb gloss easily every time. Connections last longer, surely. You can do the same by doing the following things: 

SEO Captions

Top brands on Reels optimize naturally, so algorithms push content to the right eyes nonstop without extra work. Captions pack queries like “best home workouts,” spiking discoverability via in-app search up to 4× more, according to recent Instagram SEO analysis. That passive discovery gold keeps coming, and visibility grows steadily.

Steady Posts

Three weekly drops at peaks keep feeds fresh, training algorithms for top spots, and habit-forming loyalty among fans. In fact, brands that post 2–5 times a week get about 17% more views per post, according to Buffer’s Analysis of 11.4 million TikToks. Consistency pays off big. Best-performing brands on TikTok gain 25 percent retention this way reliably over months. Consistency pays off big.

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