The ‘Don’t Hate Me But’ trend is exploding across TikTok and Instagram as creators share unpopular opinions and satirical confessions to spark conversation.
The trend features a simple text overlay, such as “Don’t hate me, but I don’t do cardio,” paired with a video of the creator looking unbothered, guilty, or casually engaging in an activity related to the confession.
Viewers are connecting with it because it taps into the universal desire to validate personal quirks or challenge industry norms. It creates a low-stakes environment for “hot takes,” allowing people to bond over shared guilty pleasures or debate common misconceptions.
By prefacing the statement with “Don’t hate me,” creators soften the blow, making the content feel more like a confession between friends than a lecture.
To participate effectively, identify a common belief in your niche and gently push back against it or lean into a relatable “flaw.”
The goal is not to be offensive, but to be polarizing enough to drive engagement in the comments.
How To Implement The ‘Don’t Hate Me But’ Trend
Start with the text hook “Don’t hate me, but…” followed by your specific take.
This could be satirical (e.g., “Don’t hate me, but I only work 2 hours a day” for an entrepreneur poking fun at productivity gurus) or genuine (e.g., “Don’t hate me, but hustle culture is toxic”).
Use audio that is currently trending or something upbeat/chill that contrasts with the “controversial” nature of the text.
Visually, keep it simple, a talking head, a vlog clip, or you simply looking at the camera works best. In the caption, expand on your point to provide context and encourage followers to weigh in.
Ask a question like, “Am I the only one?” or “Do you agree?” to boost comment section activity.
Tailor this to your niche: If you are in fitness, confess a dislike for a popular exercise.
If you are in business, challenge a standard piece of advice, such as “wake up at 5 AM.”
If you are in the lifestyle space, share a “low-maintenance” habit that defies the “that girl” aesthetic.
The key is to be relatable enough that people feel seen, or controversial enough (in a fun way) that they feel compelled to engage in debate with you.
Key Takeaways:
- The trend uses a “Don’t hate me, but…” hook to share unpopular or satirical opinions.
- It drives high engagement by inviting viewers to agree, disagree, or feel validated in their own habits.
- Tailor the “hot take” to your specific niche to spark relevant conversation and community bonding.
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