AI Video Hook Generator – YouTube, TikTok & Reels [Start Free]

Generate hooks that stop the scroll and keep viewers watching.

AI Video Hook Generator YouTube TikTok Reels Start Free

What Is StoryLab.ai’s AI Video Hook Generator?

StoryLab.ai is an online AI Tool that helps you Create better (video) Content. Fast.

One of our popular AI Tools is the AI Video Hook Generator

Video Marketers are always on the lookout to engage people with their videos on YouTube, Social Media, and other platforms. Having a great hook at the start of the video is essential to grab people’s attention and entice them to keep watching.

StoryLab.ai’s Video Hook Generator helps you come up with a list of Video Hooks based on your idea so you can incorporate the right hook into your video.

Spar with our AI and boost creativity. Simply describe what your video is about and let AI do it’s magic.

Get started for free with the AI Video Hook Generator.

The first 3 seconds decide everything. If your opening is slow, viewers leave. If it’s clear and punchy, they stay.

StoryLab.ai’s AI Video Hook Generator helps you create strong openings fast. Pick your topic, choose a style, and generate hook options built for YouTube, TikTok, Reels, and paid ads.

Use the output as your draft, then add your real example, your voice, and a quick visual cue. That’s how hooks turn into watch time.

More than just a Video Hook Generator

StoryLab.ai is a complete Content Creation Platform. Create Ads, Blog Posts, Social Media Posts, and more in seconds. Check out the video intro to learn more.

Benefits of AI-Powered Video Hook Generator

Don’t settle for the first Video Hook Idea you came up with. Spar with AI and get a list of awesome Hook Ideas in minutes and only then select the best one and start creating your video Let’s explore the benefits and how to get started below.

Top benefits of the AI Video Hook Generator

  🤖 AI modes  13 styles
 ✍️ Improves  Ideas, creativity, and more
 📖 Support  17+ Languages
 💲 Price  Free and Premium
Top benefits of the AI Video Hook Generator

Chapters

How to start with the AI Video Hook Generator

Let’s first look into how to fire up the AI Video Hook Generator so you can follow along with us.

First, create a free account at StoryLab.ai and select the Video Hook Generator. You get 3 free runs every month and can upgrade if you need more.

Then, fill one or select the following:

  • Tone of voice for your Video Hook;
  • Video Type;
  • Content Goals;
  • Target Audience;
  • Describe what the video is about.

For this example, we’ve used the inputs:

  • Tone of voice for your Video Hook: Comedic
  • Video Type: Social
  • Content Goals: Views
  • Target Audience: Video Marketers
  • Describe what the video is about: How to Grow your YouTube Channel

. Here’s what it looks like:

AI Video Hook Generator Output Examples

Video Hook Generator output examples

Hey, are you tired of having a YouTube channel with fewer subscribers than your grandma has cats? Let’s change that. Stick around and I’ll show you how to transform your sad, lonely YouTube channel into a subscriber magnet!

Hey there, YouTube titans-in-the-making! What if I told you that the secret to transforming your cute little channel into a viral sensation is closer than you think? Join me as I reveal mind-blowing, laugh-out-loud strategies to skyrocket your YouTube subscribers! And no, I’m not suggesting you hire dancing cats… or am I?

Want to know the secret to growing your YouTube channel? Get this – it involves a dancing llama, a moon landing, and a can of beans… Intrigued? Stick around! We’ll unravel this wild ride in no time!

Pretty cool, right?

Let’s see what it looks like when we change it to ‘Witty’:

Ever wondered how some YouTube channels seem to grow faster than Jack’s beanstalk? Today we’re going to spill the beans and reveal the secret sauce behind the ultimate YouTube fame! Buckle up, this ride is going to be wilder than your subscriber count!

Are you still stuck at 13 subscribers on YouTube even though your content is better than Spielberg’s lost files? Click play to unlock the not-so-secret, world of getting those numbers soaring high!

Ever wondered how some YouTubers seem to have a magic wand that skyrockets their channel views overnight? Stick around and we’ll reveal the top secret sauce that can turn your humble YouTube channel into a viral sensation. No magic wands needed, just some video marketing wizardry!

You can play around with your inputs and generate awesome video hook ideas for just this one video you’re planning to create! 

Best Practices For Coming up with Great Video Hooks

Best Practices For Coming up with Great Video Hooks

Creating engaging video hooks is crucial for capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention, especially in a media-saturated environment. Here are some best practices for coming up with effective video hooks:

Start with a Bang: Open with a surprising fact, a compelling question, or an unexpected visual. The first few seconds of your video determine whether viewers stay or leave, so make them count.

Identify the Audience’s Pain Points: Know your audience well and address their specific needs, questions, or problems early in the video. This immediately signals to viewers that your content is relevant to them.

Use Strong Visuals: Eye-catching visuals can make your hook more engaging. This could be through dynamic footage, interesting animations, or bold text overlays that draw attention.

Pose a Compelling Question: Asking a thought-provoking question can pique curiosity and encourage viewers to watch until the end for the answer. Make sure it’s a question that resonates with your target audience.

Tease the Content: Give viewers a preview of what they will gain by watching the entire video. This could be an intriguing statement or a quick outline of what the video will cover without giving everything away.

Keep it Brief and Direct: A hook should be concise. Deliver your hook within the first 5 to 10 seconds of the video. This helps in maintaining the initial attention spike.

Test Different Hooks: Not every hook works for every audience or every type of content. Experiment with different styles and track which ones perform best in terms of viewer retention and engagement.

Incorporate Storytelling Elements: If possible, start with a story or an anecdote. Stories naturally make people curious to know what happens next and can be a powerful way to engage viewers right from the start.

Use Emotion: Emotional appeal can be very effective in video hooks. Whether it’s humor, excitement, fear, or joy, tapping into emotions can make a strong connection with the audience.

Highlight the Unique Value Proposition: Clearly state what makes your video or message unique. Why should someone watch your video instead of another? Answering this in the hook can make a compelling case for viewers to stay.

The goal of a video hook is not just to attract viewers but to get them engaged with the content that follows. By crafting your hook with these best practices in mind, you can significantly increase the chances that your audience will stick around for the entire message.

Be sure to give our Video Hook Generator a try.

AI Video Hook Generator Pricing

Our pricing is set up as followed:

  • Free – get 3 runs a month to try our tools out for free;
  • Pro – $15 a month – 100 runs a month;
  • Unlimited – $19 a month – unlimited runs a month;

You can also opt-in for the yearly membership and receive a 20% price reduction.

You can check out our full pricing here.

What you can generate with the AI Video Hook Generator

  • Hook lines for short-form and long-form videos
  • Multiple angles for the same topic (pain, curiosity, proof, story)
  • Openers for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and ads
  • Hook + first beat structure (what to say next)
  • CTA-friendly endings that match the hook

Prompt Playbook: copy-paste prompts for better video hooks

Goal Copy-paste prompt template
Short-form hooks (fast) “Generate 20 hooks for a 30–45 second video about [topic] for [audience]. Keep each hook under 10 words. Mix curiosity, pain, and proof. Avoid generic phrases.”
YouTube long-form hooks “Write 15 hooks for a 6–10 minute YouTube video about [topic]. Each hook should include a clear promise and a curiosity gap, then suggest the next line to say.”
Proof-first hooks “Create 12 proof-first hooks for [topic]. Start with a result or outcome, then tease how it happened. Add an on-screen text idea for each.”
Myth-busting hooks “Give 15 myth-busting hooks about [topic]. Format: ‘Everyone says X. Actually Y.’ Add one short example for each.”
Story hooks “Write 12 story-driven hooks about [topic]. Use a cold open that starts mid-moment, then add the line that explains why it matters.”
Ad hooks (conversion) “Create 15 ad-style hooks for [offer] targeting [audience]. Include pain-focused, outcome-focused, and objection-busting versions. Keep each hook under 12 words.”

Hook formulas that work (steal these)

Hook type Formula Example (swap in your topic)
Big promise In X time, you’ll get Y “In 60 seconds, you’ll learn how to [result].”
Stop doing this Stop X, do Y “Stop doing [mistake]. Do this instead.”
Curiosity gap You think X, but Y “You think [belief] helps. It usually makes it worse.”
Proof-first Result → tease how “This is how I got [result]. Here’s what I changed.”
Specific mistake If you do X, you’ll get Y “If you do [mistake], you’re killing your [outcome].”
Mini challenge Do X without Y “Can you [result] without [tool]? Yes. Watch this.”
Relatable pain If X happens, this fixes it “If you keep getting stuck on [problem], do this.”
Counterintuitive tip The best way is the opposite “The fastest way to [result] is to stop [common approach].”

Platform hook cheat sheet

Platform Hook style that performs Ideal hook length What to show on screen
TikTok Fast tension, bold claim, quick proof 1–2 seconds Result first, then “how” visual
Instagram Reels Relatable pain, aesthetic proof, quick tips 1–3 seconds Before/after, captions, step list
YouTube Shorts Clear promise + rapid pacing 1–2 seconds On-screen headline + quick demo
YouTube long-form Promise + stakes + roadmap 5–15 seconds Quick preview clips, chapter teaser
Paid ads Pain or outcome + proof + CTA 1–3 seconds Problem, solution, result, offer

Platform hook cheat sheet

Score (1-5) What to check Quick test
Clarity Is the promise obvious instantly? Read it once. Can you repeat it back?
Curiosity Does it create a “wait, what?” moment? Add contrast: “Most people do X. Do Y.”
Specificity Is it concrete, not vague? Add a number, constraint, or scenario
Credibility Can you back it up quickly? List 1 proof point you can show on screen
Flow Can you follow it with a strong next line? Write the next sentence. If it’s awkward, rewrite the hook

Hook to script in 30 seconds (simple structure)

Beat What to say Example template
Hook Promise or tension “Stop doing [mistake]. Do this instead.”
Context Who it’s for “If you’re [audience] and you keep [problem]…”
Value 1–3 steps or points “Here are the 3 moves…”
Proof Example or quick demo “Here’s what it looks like…”
CTA Next step that fits “If you want the checklist, comment ‘hook’.”

50 hook starters you can remix

Hook starter Best for Fill-in template
“Here’s why you’re not getting…” Pain + diagnosis “Here’s why you’re not getting [result].”
“Stop doing this if you want…” Mistakes “Stop doing [thing] if you want [result].”
“The fastest way to…” Efficiency “The fastest way to [result] is…”
“I tried X so you don’t have to” Story + learning “I tried [thing]. Here’s what happened.”
“Most people get this wrong” Myth-busting “Most people get [topic] wrong. Here’s the fix.”
“Do this in 10 seconds” Micro-tips “Do this in 10 seconds to [result].”
“If you only change one thing…” Priority “If you only change one thing about [topic], change this.”
“This saved me…” Benefit + proof “This saved me [time/money/stress].”
“You’re doing X too early” Sequencing “You’re doing [step] too early. Do this first.”
“Watch what happens when…” Demo “Watch what happens when I [action].”

FAQ

What is a video hook generator?

A video hook generator creates opening lines and angles designed to grab attention in the first seconds of a video.

How long should a hook be?

For short-form, aim for 1–3 seconds. For YouTube long-form, 5–15 seconds can work if the promise stays clear and the pacing is quick.

What makes a hook “good”?

A good hook is clear, specific, and creates curiosity. It also matches what the video actually delivers.

Can I use these hooks for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Reels?

Yes. Generate a batch, then tailor the top hooks to the platform using on-screen text and pacing that fits.

Why do my hooks feel generic?

Usually the input is too broad. Add your audience, the exact scenario, and one proof point or example you can show.

Should I use a question hook or a statement hook?

Both work. Questions can spark curiosity, but bold statements often outperform when they include a clear promise or contrast.

How many hook variations should I test?

Start with 10–20 hooks, shortlist 3–5, then test them across a few videos or ad creatives.

Can a hook hurt retention?

Yes, if it over-promises. Viewers bounce when the hook and the content don’t match.

Is it okay to use AI-generated hooks?

Yes. Treat them as drafts, then add your voice and a real example so the opening feels natural.