What counts as a hook?

A hook is the first 1–3 seconds of a short-form video — the line, framing, or visual that decides whether a viewer keeps watching or scrolls past. On TikTok and Reels, retention drops sharpest in the first second, so hooks aren't a nice-to-have: they're what determines whether the algorithm ever shows your content to a second viewer. The strongest hooks pause the scroll without giving the answer away.

Are these templates copyrighted?

No — these are template structures with [bracket] slots that you fill with your own content. Templates capture proven psychological patterns (shock framing, curiosity gap, authority claim, etc.) that are not copyrightable; only specific creative expression is. You're free to use any template commercially, modify it, and remix it. Many of these patterns are used by thousands of creators every day; they work because the structure does, not because the words are unique.

Why categorise hooks by psychological trigger?

Different content needs different hook types. A how-to or educational video lands hardest with Authority or Stat Bomb hooks. Entertainment benefits from Shock or Curiosity Gap. Opinion content needs Contrarian or Confession. Listicles want Direct Address. Browsing by trigger lets you match the opening to your content's purpose instead of guessing — which is the actual difference between a 5% retention and a 60% retention curve.

How do I use a template?

Copy the template (or just one of the three examples to riff on). Replace each [bracket] slot — [role], [topic], [common belief], [N], etc. — with your specific content. Then write 3–5 variations and read each one out loud. The one that sounds most natural and most surprising is usually the keeper. Resist the urge to over-polish: the first take is often the strongest because it's the most conversational.

Why these 14 categories?

These are the dominant psychological triggers in viral short-form video, mapped from analysing high-performing TikToks, Reels, and Shorts. Each corresponds to a distinct viewer reaction — surprise, curiosity, recognition, indignation, identification — and each works best for specific content types. The 14 cover roughly 90% of viral hooks; the remainder are mostly hybrids of two categories (e.g., a Confession with a Shock pivot).

Can I mix multiple hook patterns?

Yes — the strongest hooks often layer two patterns. A Stat Bomb that becomes a Warning ("87% of resumes never get read by a human — here's how to be in the 13%") is more compelling than either pattern alone. Treat the categories as building blocks, not boxes. Once you've internalised 5–10 templates from different categories, you'll start hybridising automatically.

Free · no signup · 14 categories

Hooks for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.

Proven opening lines mapped to 14 psychological triggers. Browse the deck, flip through templates at random, copy what works.

Shock #001Disbelief / 'this can't be real'

This [image/footage] is real — I checked

Examples

1 / 36

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Browse by trigger

How Hook Library works

Pick a category

Browse 14 psychology-backed categories — Shock, Curiosity Gap, Authority, Contrarian, Confession, Stat Bomb, Storytime, and more. Each maps to a distinct viewer reaction and content type.

Flip through hooks at random

Each category has ~36 templates. Hit Random (or →) to surface a fresh template; Prev (or ←) backtracks. Every hook ships with three concrete example fills so you can see how the pattern lands in a real niche.

Copy and adapt

Copy the template or any individual example with one click. Replace the [bracket] slots with your topic, role, or stat. Test 3–5 drafts before picking the one that opens your video.

Features

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Create a 60-second TikTok video about the most surprising facts about the Roman Empire, ending with a call to follow

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Convert SRT ↔ VTT ↔ TXT ↔ ASS in your browser — no upload.

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Resize any video for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts with crop preview.

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Now let Lumigen turn itinto a video.

Drop your hook into Lumigen. Get a TikTok-ready video with avatar, voice, captions, and B-roll generated from your script — no editing software, no recording session, no learning curve.

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FAQ

Hooks for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.

This [image/footage] is real — I checked

How Hook Library works

Pick a category

Flip through hooks at random

Copy and adapt

Everything you need to createstunning videos.

AI Avatars

One tool. Every feature.Zero learning curve.

AI Script Generator

50+ Unique Voices

Realistic AI Avatars

Video Styles & Templates

26+ AI Visual Styles

High-Quality — Forever Yours

Every video format, powered by AI.

Product Demos

TikTok Shorts

YouTube Shorts

Social Ads

5,284 creators already publishing with Lumigen

See what you can create.

More free tools

Now let Lumigen turn itinto a video.

Common questions.

What counts as a hook?

Are these templates copyrighted?

Why categorise hooks by psychological trigger?

How do I use a template?

Why these 14 categories?

Can I mix multiple hook patterns?

Everything you need to create
stunning videos.

One tool. Every feature.
Zero learning curve.