Tier List is a video trend in which creators post a short video with a text overlay like “Marketing tools tier list in 2026” and then rank products, strategies, or ideas from S-tier down to F-tier while explaining their reasoning on camera.
The format explodes because everyone disagrees with at least one ranking, which means viewers comment, share, and stitch with their own version.
It taps into something basic about how people consume content online: strong opinions get reactions, and reactions feed the algorithm.
The production cost is nearly zero since all you need is a camera, a list, and a take that people either love or hate.
If you sell online courses, coaching, or digital products, this is a strong format for proving you actually know your niche while getting people talking. Here is what the trend looks like and how to use it:
Why The ‘2026 Tier List’ Trend Matters
Opinionated content has always performed well on social media, but the tier list format packages opinions in a way that practically guarantees engagement.
When someone ranks a popular tool as F-tier, viewers feel compelled to respond. That friction is the entire point.
According to Sprout Social, 66% of consumers say short-form video is the most engaging type of social content, and tier list videos hit that sweet spot by combining short, punchy clips with strong stances that keep people watching until the end.
The psychology behind it is straightforward:
Tier lists trigger what researchers call the “opinion gap” effect. When someone sees a ranking they disagree with, the urge to correct it is almost automatic.
That instinct drives comments, duets, and stitches, all of which signal to the algorithm that the content is worth pushing to more people.
For info product sellers specifically, tier lists work double duty. Ranking tools, strategies, or frameworks in your niche proves you have hands-on experience with all of them.
It positions you as the person who has tested everything and formed real conclusions.
That kind of authority is hard to manufacture with “generic tips” content, but a single-tier list video can communicate it in under 60 seconds
How To Do The ‘2026 Tier List’ Trend
Here is a step-by-step breakdown for creating a tier list video that builds authority and drives engagement:
Step 1: Pick a Topic Your Audience Cares About
Choose something directly tied to your niche that people already have strong preferences for.
If you sell a marketing course, rank marketing tools. If you teach fitness coaching, rank workout programs. The topic needs to be specific enough that your audience has existing opinions they want to defend or debate.
Step 2: Build Your Tier List and Commit to Bold Rankings
Create your S-tier through F-tier rankings before you hit record. The key is putting at least one popular choice in a low tier and one underrated pick in a high tier.
Safe, predictable rankings get ignored. The whole point is to spark disagreement, so do not hedge. Own every placement and have a clear reason for each one.
Step 3: Film a Talking-Head Video With the List Visible
Record yourself on camera explaining each ranking while the tier list graphic remains on-screen as a text overlay or side panel. Keep the total length under 90 seconds.
According to Hootsuite, short-form video platforms now reach billions of monthly users, and videos under 90 seconds consistently hold attention better than longer clips.
Start with your most controversial ranking to hook viewers in the first three seconds.
Step 4: Add a Call to Action That Invites Debate
End the video by asking viewers to share their own rankings or challenge yours. Something like “Drop your tier list in the comments” or “Tell me why you think I’m wrong about number three.”
This turns passive viewers into active participants. The more comments your video generates, the more the algorithm pushes it to new audiences.
Step 5: Repurpose Across Every Platform
Post the same video to TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn.
Sprout Social reports that short-form video delivers the highest ROI among all video formats, so maximizing distribution across platforms is worth the effort.
Adjust captions and hashtags for each platform, while keeping the core video the same.
Our Key Takeaways
The tier list video trend works because it combines authority, opinion, and engagement bait into a single short clip. Here is what to remember:
- Tier lists prove expertise faster than tutorial content because ranking everything in a niche shows you have tested and evaluated all of it.
- Controversial rankings drive comments and shares, which are the exact signals that push short-form video to wider audiences.
- The format costs nothing to produce. A phone camera, a list, and a strong opinion are the only requirements.
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