Every day, competition for attention grows fiercer. In a world where attention is scarce and options are endless, getting people to stop and actually watch is harder than ever.

Ads have evolved, and they keep evolving day to day. What used to grab attention no longer works, which is why capturing interest from the very first second has become the new creative challenge. That’s where the visual hook comes in: the element that instantly makes people stop scrolling, look twice and stay engaged for more than just 3 seconds.

A visual hook is the first thing your audience notices. It could be a bold image, a surprising motion or a detail so satisfying that they can’t look away. Without it, even the best message can go unseen.

That’s why today we’re sharing 7 fresh visual hooks straight out of the creative oven, ready for you to use before everyone else does.

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ChatGPT

Okay, let’s start strong.

At Primer, we believe we should be the first to test what works—and what doesn’t. And that’s why we’re able to share a new, top-performing visual hook we just tested for you: the ChatGPT Q&A.

Not long ago, everyone turned to Google to find answers. But today, ChatGPT has become one of the first places people go when they’re curious, searching or looking for advice. That shift in behavior has opened up a new creative opportunity—using the ChatGPT interface itself as a hook.

In one of our recent videos, we used a ChatGPT-style search to introduce the ad, and the results were clear: instant recognition, curiosity and stronger watch times.

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Typing Effect

Another great visual hook that’s performing consistently well is the typing effect.

There are many ways to bring this visual to life, but let’s start with one of the simplest: just typing. Whether we can see the searcher or it’s just typing on the screen, this hook is invincible.

The key isn’t only how it looks—it’s also how it sounds. Adding the subtle sound of keystrokes makes a huge difference. It adds rhythm, realism and even a touch of ASMR that draws people in and keeps them watching.

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As we mentioned earlier, you can use the ChatGPT-style search bar paired with sound effects, or go for a classic search bar and layer it with another strong visual hook in the background to make it more dynamic.

Sometimes, just the act of typing is enough to grab attention.

In other cases, you can take it further by showing someone physically typing on a screen, making it feel natural, familiar and instantly relatable, almost like a native action your audience does every day.

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Green Screen

Another visual hook that continues to dominate both organic and paid content is the green screen effect.

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Reels lately, you must have seen it. Creators or brand spokespeople speaking directly to the camera while an image, video or screenshot appears behind them. It’s simple, instantly recognizable and incredibly effective for storytelling.

From a performance perspective, green screens work because they feel authentic. They mimic the spontaneous, “recorded on my phone” vibe that users trust and engage with. Audiences have become skeptical of polished ads, so when they see something that looks like creator content, they stop scrolling. 

Another big advantage? Speed and flexibility. With a green screen setup, you can turn almost any piece of content, like a tweet, a testimonial, a news headline, or even some b-roll, into a backdrop for your message. That makes it perfect for reactive campaigns or quick-turn creative testing. You can literally film a new take in minutes without needing a full production setup.

This hook is highly effective, especially when you’re not able to film the product/service on your own.

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Fake Podcast

The fake podcast hook has also emerged as a powerful visual trick. 

Essentially, this hook presents your creative as though it were a podcast episode, perhaps with a host talking into a mic, VO with podcast-style graphics, the familiar podcast title screen, or even a simulated studio setting. The viewer instantly recognizes the format (“Oh, this looks like a podcast”), which triggers a sense of credibility, long-form content and trust.

If you are hesitant about trying this because it often requires more resources than normal UGC, check out the facts: According to 2025 data, there are over 584 million podcast listeners worldwide. That means audiences are already primed to engage with this format: Because they see it every day in their feeds, they associate it with real conversations and valuable insights. By mirroring that look and feel, your ad naturally fits into a context people already trust and pay attention to.

With that said, check out what we did for one of our partners in the finance industry.

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For them, we played a little bit with some highly attractive visuals for those in the fintech space. Plus, the UGC creator was right in the podcast mode. These two elements combined created a thumb-stopping hook that’s impossible to ignore.

Incoming Call 

The incoming call visual hook is one of the most engaging and instantly recognizable visual trends right now. If you’re not doing it in your ads yet, what are you waiting for? 

It mimics the look of a phone call or FaceTime screen, complete with the familiar caller ID, ringtone sound and “slide to answer” cue. 

The moment it appears, people’s attention locks in. It’s familiar, personal and impossible not to glance at. Why? Because everyone instinctively checks when a phone rings.

Viewers immediately want to know who’s calling and why. Whether the call comes from a person, a brand or even a concept (“Glam Is Calling,” “Your Glow Is Calling”), it creates an instant connection. That combination of relevance and surprise makes it one of the most scroll-stopping visuals you can use.

It’s also valid to mention that this hook works because it is (and feels) native. This “social camouflage” makes users pause for a split second longer, and that’s all you need to earn attention in the first 3 seconds. 

Look what we did for WigDealer. As a haircare brand that offers high-quality wigs, they always stay up to date with fashion and trends. That’s exactly why this hook is so effective for them.

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Slow Motion

Here’s one of those timeless techniques that always seems to make a comeback: slow motion.

In a world of quick cuts and hyper-fast content, slowing things down feels unexpected, especially because you only have 3 seconds to catch attention. Slow-mo, for real? Yes. That’s exactly why it works.

The power of slow motion lies in contrast. When everything else in the feed moves fast, a single slowed-down moment feels like a little pause amid the chaos. 

It gives weight to your product and makes the viewer pause, even for just a second longer. 

This technique works especially well for products that are all about texture, comfort or pleasure. Think skincare, fabrics, food or anything that invites the viewer to feel through the screen. Slow motion enhances that sensory experience.

When used in a bed or bedding ad, like in this example, slow motion can turn a simple gesture into something immersive. The viewer doesn’t just see comfort; they feel it.

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Mirror Selfie

The mirror selfie hook is one of those formats that feels effortless but performs surprisingly well. It’s simple: A creator or model filming through a mirror, usually capturing themselves while showcasing a product, outfit or scene in the reflection.

It works because it feels real and relatable. Viewers are used to seeing mirror selfies in their daily feeds, so when a video starts this way, it doesn’t scream “ad”—it feels personal. That familiarity builds trust instantly and creates a sense of intimacy, as if you’re getting a peek into someone’s real life… Fun fact, sometimes, when you’re scrolling through your feed and see this kind of ad, the first thing that pops into your mind is… “Ohhh, who is this?” 

From a creative standpoint, it’s a smart move: one setup, two perspectives—the person and the reflection. That layered visual adds depth and dimension without overproduction. It’s low-effort, authentic and inherently social-native, which makes it perfect for Reels, TikToks and Stories. 

It’s one of our favorites. Have you tried it yet?

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Wrapping it up: Why visual hooks are so important

The truth is, there’s no single formula for the perfect ad, but there is one constant: attention. Every scroll, swipe and tap is a chance to win it or lose it. And that’s where these visual hooks come in.

Strong visual hooks cut through the noise. They grab curiosity, trigger emotion and create context before a single line of copy is read. Whether it’s movement, texture or a familiar interface, the right hook gives your story a fighting chance in an endless stream of distractions. That’s why visual hooks are so relevant.

From ChatGPT searches to slow-motion textures, fake podcasts and mirror moments, each of these trends taps into something universal: curiosity, emotion or familiarity. The key is to test them quickly, adapt them to your brand voice and keep refreshing before the trend hits saturation.

Because what’s trending today might be gone in a month, but the brands that keep experimenting are the ones that stay ahead of the curve.

So take these 7 visual hooks, make them your own and start testing. The next scroll-stopper could be yours.

Partner with Growth Experts

Creating video ads shouldn’t be a difficult and time-consuming task—and that’s exactly why we’re here. At Primer, we specialize in crafting videos, images, landing pages and UGC that actually converts, delivering real, measurable results by using the latest tools in the market. We partner with big brands like Jocko Fuel, Sunday and more.

Your Growth Marketing Team: Partnering with Primer means we take care of everything—strategy and planning, production, reporting and optional media buying—to achieve your growth objectives. You can focus on your business while we deliver the results.

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