Yes, you can search TikTok on a desktop computer. TikTok’s website and web app allow you to search for videos, creators, hashtags, and sounds directly from your desktop browser.
Searching on TikTok.com
The easiest way to search TikTok on desktop is to go to the TikTok website at www.tiktok.com and use the search bar at the top of the page. This search works the same as it does in the TikTok mobile app.
You can search for:
- Specific users by their username (e.g. @charlidamelio)
- Hashtags (e.g. #fyp)
- Sounds or music tracks
- General keywords and phrases
When you search on TikTok.com, it will display results in a feed format similar to the “For You” feed in the mobile app. You can scroll through results and watch videos right on the website.
Using the TikTok Web App
TikTok also offers a web version of their app that you can access in your browser at https://www.tiktok.com/@tiktok.
This gives you access to a full-screen browsing experience similar to the mobile app. You can sign into your account here as well.
The TikTok web app also has a search bar where you can look up videos, creators, hashtags, and sounds. The results display in a scrollable feed just like the mobile app.
Searching Within a User’s Profile
When you visit a specific user’s profile on TikTok’s website or web app, you’ll notice a search bar at the top of their profile. This allows you to search for content within that user’s own videos.
For example, if you’re on Charli D’Amelio’s profile (@charlidamelio), you can search for:
- Specific sounds she has used in her videos
- Hashtags she commonly uses like #charlidamelio
- Video captions
- General keywords
This is helpful for finding specific videos from that creator based on what you’re searching for.
Using Advanced Search Operators
Just like searching on Google, TikTok supports some advanced search operators to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Here are some of the most useful TikTok advanced search operators:
- “quotations” – Search for an exact phrase or caption
- from: – Filter videos from a specific user
- hashtag: – Search related hashtags
- sound: – Find a specific sound or music track
Some examples of using search operators:
- “dance challenge” – Videos with this exact caption
- from:charlidamelio – Only Charli D’Amelio’s videos
- hashtag:fyp – Videos using the hashtag #fyp
- sound:SugarCrash – Videos with the song SugarCrash
Searching Trends, Music, Hashtags
In addition to searching for videos and creators, TikTok’s website and web app allow you to browse by:
- Trends – Currently popular videos, creators, memes, etc.
- Music – Top tracks, songs, and sounds being used in videos
- Hashtags – Browse videos filed under specific hashtags
You can click on any trending topic, song, or hashtag to see compilations of associated videos.
Is Search Better on Mobile or Desktop?
While it’s possible to search TikTok from a desktop, the experience is still optimized for mobile. You’ll get access to more filters, discoverability features, and personalization in the mobile app.
However, casual browsing and watching videos works perfectly fine on the TikTok website or web app. The main advantages of mobile are:
- Personalized recommendations based on your watch history and likes
- Filters like Videos For You, Following, LIVE, etc.
- Easier access to liking, commenting, and sharing videos
- Faster interface with smooth scrolling
So while desktop search works, I’d recommend the mobile app if you want the full TikTok experience. The website is best for casual use.
Tips for Searching TikTok on Desktop
Here are some tips to improve your searches on TikTok from desktop:
- Use specific keywords rather than general terms for better results
- Try advanced search operators like “quotations” and hashtag:
- Filter by a specific sound or user when searching with from: or sound:
- Click hashtags and trends to discover more niche content
- Sort results by relevance if you want more popular videos
- Use the filters on the sidebar to narrow results by user, hashtag, etc.
- Open videos on full screen for better viewing
Overall, searching TikTok on desktop gives you access to a wealth of videos and creators. While the mobile app offers the best experience, you can still find plenty of entertaining content by searching from your browser.
