If you had to guess, how many ads do you think you see in one day? 10? 50? 100? Maybe even 1000? Stop guessing and be prepared to be shocked. On average, people encounter around 4,000-10,000 ads every day, and with the rise of social media advertising, that number is quickly increasing.
Today, brands not only hustle to stay visible, but they battle to stay relevant. When ads flash past viewers in seconds and consumers tune out anything that feels predictable or dull, the battle to remain visible becomes nearly impossible. To win in this environment, marketers must lead with originality, energy, and a hook strong enough to stop even the fastest thumbs.
That’s why our team handpicked the top-performing social media ad formats of 2025, battle-tested strategies that capture attention fast and turn viewers into buyers.
The Constant Struggle of Standing Out on Social Media
When creating winning ads that sell, you need to be captivating, unique, and exciting if you want your brand to stand out from your competitors. However, you’re not the only one competing for viewers’ attention on social media. Besides content created by influencers, celebrities, and highly popular brands, your brand must compete with hundreds of thousands of other advertisers trying to do the exact same thing.
A study conducted by a wireless plan search engine, WhistleOut, found that:
“Facebook newsfeeds consist of 21.2 percent ads, followed by Instagram feeds which hold 20.6 percent ads. In third place is LinkedIn, with 19.6 percent ads. Twitter follows at 14.2 percent ads while on TikTok, users’ feeds were just 2.4 percent ads.”
Simply put, your brand’s potential audience encounters hundreds of ads every single day, most of which they will just scroll past without a second thought.
To avoid becoming one of those easily skippable, unrememberable ads on social media, your brand needs to have a one-of-a-kind and exciting hook to grab people’s attention and get them to stay on your ad. Keeping your audience engaged, even one second longer than your competitors, can lead to higher sales. With that being said, let’s break down the top 5 highest-performing ad hooks of 2025.
We’ve Got the Ad Hooks that Sell
Below, we’re going to break down the top five best ad hook formats to succeed on social media and boost sales. We’ll break down the process and explain why these hooks perform, so you can tackle your brand’s next Meta ad campaign with confidence.
Post It Note Strategy
How It Works:
To perform this strategy, grab a Post-it Note and a pen. Write a question on the note, making sure the viewer sees you writing the message down. The question can be anything from “What are you doing this summer?” to “Can you guess the one product I can’t live without?” Keep the question casual but captivating, something that will make the audience want to stick around to find out the answer. Then, either hold the Post-it up or lying flat on a clean surface at the start of your video or reel. From there, seamlessly transition into your brand’s UGC content and product videos.
Why It Works:
While this hook remains extremely simple, success comes from the raw and authentic nature of the hook. Letting the viewer watch you write the question keeps them entertained and curious about what you’re writing. Leaving them with a question piques their interest and encourages them to stay a little longer to find out the answer. The casual, relaxed, and almost unplanned vibe makes the content feel less like an ad, which helps keep audiences engaged longer. Mentioning summer in the summertime, or the holidays during the wintertime, etc. will also boost viewer retention as relevance increases.
“People Always Ask Me…”
How It Works:
For this ad hook, you’re going to want to set your camera up on a counter/table or have someone film the video for you. Causally stand in front of the camera, and act as if you’re talking or telling a joke to a friend. While looking at the camera, you’re going to say something along the lines of:
- “People always come up to me and say, ‘Hey Sarah, how do you fix a broken cabinet?”
Then you’re going to say “Well, my name’s not Sarah, and I have no idea how to fix a broken cabinet, but I do know that product X does XYZ.”
Of course, you don’t have to follow that exact script, or talk about cabinets, unless that’s your niche. Make your script fun, unique, and specific to you. After that, explain the product and show the item clearly on screen. You can then transition into your brand’s UGC and product/service content.
Why It Works:
This hook technique feels a little more out of the box compared to the first one, but works equally as well. This hook works for many different reasons. For starters, the hook grabs attention with humor and an unexpected twist. This hook feeds curiosity by starting with a familiar setup, then delivers a punchline that keeps viewers wanting more. The casual nature of the video draws viewers in because it doesn’t feel “salesy” and almost simulates the feeling of being on FaceTime with a friend. Once viewers do realize that the video serves as an ad, however, the initial cleverness and personality of the hook encourages viewers to stay longer and find out more about your brand’s product and service.
Chase What You Love
How It Works:
This particular hook format tends to perform especially well for brands who sell products, more so than for those who sell services. There are two ways to create this hook depending on whether you’re filming alone or with another person.
If you have a friend to help you film, have them hold your product in one hand and the camera in the other. They can then hold the product up in front of the camera. You’re going to be standing a few feet away from them, far enough away that you can’t grab the product from them. Once the filming starts, both you and the cameraman should start running. Essentially, the video should give the impression of you chasing after the product.
Filming this hook solo? Don’t worry, you can still pull this off on your own. Place your camera on a table, then position the product in the frame. Stand as far away from the camera as you can. Once the video starts recording, run toward the camera, reaching out to grab the product.
Why It Works:
This hook uses movement and physical distance to create instant visual interest. The act of running toward the product adds urgency and energy, two elements that naturally grab attention in a fast-scrolling feed. The hook also introduces a playful, almost cinematic feel that breaks up the monotony of static product shots. Viewers begin wondering, “What’s so great about that product they’re chasing after?”
That curiosity, combined with the unexpected action, makes them more likely to stop, watch, and engage. Plus, the dynamic entry sets up a fun and humorous tone that keeps your brand’s content from feeling overly promotional.
Message Zoom
How It Works:
For this hook, you’re going to need paper and a pen, or a computer screen. After acquiring these items, write or type out a message relating to your brand or service. From here, position your computer or paper as far away from you as possible. When you start recording, slowly zoom into the message. You don’t want the message to be easily visible for the first few seconds. Once fully zoomed in, keep the video focused on the message, giving viewers time to read. Once that’s completed, you can cut to UGC content and videos of your brand’s service or product.
Why It Works:
This hook utilizes suspense to draw viewers in. When the message starts off far away, viewers become curious about what might be said. This hook doesn’t feel like an ad either, so viewers are likely to stay longer, feeling as though the message could say just about anything. The slow zoom also breaks the fast-paced norm of most content, making your video stand out. Emotional, clever, or thought-provoking messages tend to hold attention longer by forging a deeper connection with the viewer. Oftentimes, when an audience has already invested a certain amount of time in a video, they’re more likely to stay for the rest. So, the longer you keep viewers watching your hook, the more likely they will be to finish the video.
Man on the Street Interview
How It Works:
The “Man on the Street” interview style has become wildly popular on social media, with personalities like Billy Eichner helping to popularize the trend through his segment, Billy on the Street. Videos in this style have gone viral across various platforms and cover everything from music and politics to products and even completely random topics.
For this hook, we’re putting a product-focused spin on the trend. You’ll need two people to act in the video. The interaction should feel spontaneous, raw, and unplanned, almost as if the person on camera were randomly selected and had no idea they’d be filmed.
Here’s how it works: the camera operator casually approaches someone while they appear to be shopping. Once in frame, the cameraman can ask questions like:
- “What are you shopping for today?”
- “What are you doing out here?”
- Or something quirky and unexpected.
The interviewee will respond, saying they’re looking for a specific product or product type, conveniently, the kind you happen to sell. The cameraman then says something like:
- “Well, lucky for you, I actually have an extra [insert product name] in my bag!”
They hand over the product, and the person responds with something like,
- “Wow, this is exactly what I was looking for!”
From there, transition into your UGC-style content featuring the product or service.
Why It Works:
The “Man on the Street” format recently exploded in popularity across platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Viewers love these videos because they feel unpredictable, unscripted, and engaging, like you’re witnessing a real, candid moment. Creators and brands have adapted the trend for everything from political commentary to dating questions to product shoutouts, often racking up millions of views.
This layout feels instantly recognizable, helping your brand’s audience know what to expect, and making them more likely to watch until the end. By tapping into this viral-style format with a product-focused twist, you’re participating in a proven trend while keeping the spotlight on your brand.
Tips, Tricks, and Transitions
Now that you’ve learned five of the top-performing social media ad hooks for 2025, explore these extras to make your brand’s content stand out and go viral.
Transitions That Hook Viewers
- Phone Drop: Drop your phone mid-shot and cut to a new scene for a seamless switch.
- Reverse Product Grab: Toss the product out of frame, then reverse the clip so the product “snaps” back into your hand.
- Magic Tap: Tap your phone screen, then stitch to a clip where the product magically appears in your hand.
Quick Tips
- Test different lengths: from short 15-second hooks to 60-second deep dives.
- Use editing tools like CapCut (easy and mobile-friendly) or Premiere Pro (pro-level polish).
- Add captions and popular music: Captions boost retention and accessibility. For those who like to listen to audios, using a popular song or sound will help boost your ad.
Ready to Go Viral with Social Media Ads?
Now that you’re armed with 2025’s most scroll-stopping ad hooks, you’re ready to take action. Start creating content that feels authentic, engages instantly, and actually converts. Whether you’re showcasing products or promoting services, these strategies will help you stand out in a crowded newsfeed.
At Premiere Creative, we help brands craft content that cuts through the noise and drives real results. Want help building your next viral campaign? Dial (973) 346-8100 to connect with one of our paid advertising strategists.