ASMR on TikTok consists of videos centred around soft sounds and calm movements. Think of whispering, tapping or folding paper. Some people find this pleasant or feel a slight tingling sensation. Others do not. Want to find out what you think? Start with a video featuring one type of sound and listen at a low volume.
Below, you can read more about ASMR sounds and follow the steps to make a video yourself.
What does ASMR mean on TikTok?
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. In the explanation of ASMR by NPO Kennis the focus is on soothing sounds and images. How you experience them differs from person to person.
On TikTok, ASMR is also a name for this type of video. It revolves around the sound or calm action, not a story or song. Think of hands filmed up close while slowly turning a page. You hear the paper and see where the sound comes from.
Are you also curious about other aspects of the app? Then read what people like about TikTok.
Which sounds can you use for an ASMR video?
Whispering and tapping are examples you can find on the TikTok ASMR collection page You will come across. Want to record something yourself? Choose a sound that is easy to repeat. What sounds pleasant differs from one listener to another.
| Sound | Example to try | What should you pay attention to? |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tapping | Tap your fingertips on a wooden box. | Keep the taps roughly equally soft. |
| Rustling paper | Slowly fold a blank sheet of paper. | Move calmly and avoid loud tearing sounds. |
| Whispering | Quietly describe how you are wrapping a book. | Do not breathe directly into the microphone. |
| Brushing | Brush a clean, soft brush over fabric. | Listen to see whether you can hear the sound without turning the volume up much higher. |
| Pouring water | Slowly pour water into a cup. | Keep your phone out of reach of splashes. |
Use one sound for your first video. This makes it easier to hear what you want to adjust. If you tap, whisper and pour water at the same time, it is more difficult.
Why do people watch ASMR on TikTok?
Some people enjoy the calm: not a demanding conversation, but attention focused on one small sound. Others enjoy watching something happen very precisely, such as neatly folding paper. So you do not have to feel a tingling sensation to enjoy an ASMR video.
Try what suits you. Do you dislike whispering? Choose a video without a voice. Are loud taps startling? Look for a softer sound or stop listening.
ASMR can be a calm moment for yourself, but it is not relaxing for everyone. It is not a treatment for anxiety or sleep problems.
How can you make an ASMR video for TikTok yourself?
You can start with your phone, a quiet place and one object. You do not need a separate microphone to try it out. Make a short test first before buying anything extra.
- Choose one action. For example, fold a sheet of paper. Have everything ready so you do not have to search for anything while filming.
- Listen to the room. Can you hear a television, fan or traffic? If possible, find a quieter place. Turn off your own devices if they interfere with the sound.
- Place your phone securely. Film vertically and keep your hands and the object in view. Make sure your hand or the support does not cover the microphone.
- Make a short test. For example, record for fifteen seconds. That is a length to practise with, not a TikTok rule.
- Listen back. Can you barely hear the paper? Move the phone a little closer. Does it sound loud or crackly? Move more gently or place the phone a little farther away.
- Record your video. Start directly with the action. Cut out unintended knocks and long moments when you are looking for something, if your video editing app allows it.
- Write what you are letting people hear. For example: “Slowly folding paper, without speaking.” This tells the viewer what they will hear.
An exercise to try: film twenty seconds while folding a sheet in half and smoothing the fold with your fingers. Then listen to the difference between the folding and the smoothing. Change one thing and record again.
Would you rather make a long, calm recording? Then see whether YouTube or TikTok is a better fit for your video . Can you not choose the length you want on TikTok? Then read why you cannot make a 10 minute video on TikTok.
What should you consider about sound and privacy with ASMR?
Listen back to your recording at a comfortable volume. Do not turn the sound up so high that an unexpected tap becomes unpleasant. Headphones can help you hear small background noises better, but keep the volume low with them too.
It is better to leave out music when the soft sound is central. Also listen carefully to the beginning and end. Putting down or picking up your phone can cause a loud knock.
Before posting, check the entire image and the background sound. Is there an address on an envelope or a name on a school notebook? Can you hear a conversation in the room? Use blank paper and record again if private information is visible or audible.
Ask for permission before showing someone recognisably or recording them audibly in your video. If you also publish your own content, our TikTok services includes packages for views and followers. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
