What Are Hashtags on TikTok?
Hashtags on TikTok are words or phrases preceded by the “#” symbol used to categorize and organize content on the platform (Sprout Social). They allow users to find videos about a certain topic or theme more easily. Hashtags are used similarly on TikTok as they are on other social platforms like Instagram and Twitter.
When a TikTok user adds relevant hashtags to their video’s caption or comments, it connects that video to the hashtag and makes it more discoverable to other users searching or browsing that hashtag. Tapping on a hashtag brings up a feed of other videos using the same tag. This allows videos to reach a wider audience with shared interests beyond just the video creator’s followers (Buffer).
In short, hashtags categorize TikTok videos into topics and make them easier to find. They help videos get viewed by more users who are interested in that particular hashtag’s topic.
Why Use Hashtags on TikTok?
Hashtags serve a few key purposes on TikTok. The main benefits are to help videos get discovered in niche topics, to potentially go viral and get content in front of lots of new viewers, and to build a following and community around a hashtag.
TikTok’s recommendation algorithm heavily relies on hashtags to categorize and recommend videos to users. Adding relevant hashtags makes it more likely your videos will be discoverable by people interested in those topics. As Buffer notes, “hashtags are essential for TikTok SEO.”
Using popular hashtags gives creators the chance to go viral and be seen by many new viewers. As videos gain traction, TikTok will show them to more and more users who follow or search those hashtags. One viral video can gain thousands or even millions of views for a creator’s account.
Over time, repeatedly using a specific hashtag allows creators to cultivate an engaged community around that topic. Fans will follow the hashtag for new content. As Sprout Social explains, hashtags help “build community” and form connections between creators and their audiences.
How to Search by Hashtag
TikTok makes it easy to search by hashtag to find videos on topics you’re interested in. Here are the main ways to search by hashtag on TikTok:
– Tap the discover icon at the bottom of the screen and select ‘hashtag challenge’ to browse popular hashtags or search for a specific hashtag.1
– Type the hashtag you want to search into the search bar at the top of the screen and select it when it pops up.2
– Find a video that interests you, tap on the caption, and tap any hashtag to search for other videos using that hashtag.
Searching directly by hashtag is the best way to dive deep into niche topics and connect with communities that use specific hashtags. Give it a try to find new content and creators tailored to your interests.
Tips for Effective Hashtag Use
Using hashtags effectively on TikTok can help increase the visibility and reach of your videos. Here are some tips:
Use a mix of relevant niche hashtags and broader popular hashtags. According to Buffer, sticking to 4-6 total hashtags, with a combination of trending and niche tags, is recommended. Niche hashtags related to your content’s topic help reach your target audience, while widely used hashtags expand your potential reach.
Don’t use too many hashtags. Sprout Social suggests using 3-5 hashtags maximum so you still have room for an engaging caption. Too many hashtags look spammy and may turn off viewers.
Create one or two original hashtags unique to you or your brand. Encourage viewers to search and engage with your distinctive hashtags.
Check which hashtags perform best and tailor your mix accordingly. Analyze hashtag use over time to refine and optimize their effectiveness.
Popular Hashtags on TikTok
Hashtags play an integral role on TikTok, helping videos get discovered in specific niches. Some of the most popular general hashtags include:
- #fyp – stands for “For You Page” and helps videos get onto users’ home feeds
- #foryou – similar to #fyp
- #foryoupage – another common hashtag to try and get on users’ For You pages
In addition to these very broad hashtags, niche hashtags can help videos get seen by users interested in specific topics. Some examples include:
- #cooking – for food and cooking content
- #dance – for dance videos
- #comedy – for funny videos
- #thrifting – for thrift store and vintage finds
The key is finding a balance between very broad hashtags like #fyp and niche hashtags relevant to your content. Using a mix helps increase the chance of getting onto both general feeds and into specific niches and categories.
Finding Trending Hashtags
TikTok provides an easy way to find trending and viral hashtags right within the app. Simply go to the Discover page, and tap on “Trending” to see the currently popular hashtags being used. This is refreshed daily to show the latest viral hashtag trends on TikTok. As noted on TikTok’s Creative Center, the Trending page displays the “most used hashtags over the past 24 hours” (TikTok Creative Center).
You can also use third-party websites and tools to identify trending TikTok hashtags and view historical data on daily, weekly or monthly trends. Sites like Ritetag and Hashtags.org provide analytics on hashtag performance over time. This allows you to see which hashtags have lasting popularity versus short viral bursts.
Using Hashtags Strategically
Hashtags can be a strategic tool to increase traffic and engagement on TikTok when used effectively. Here are some tips for using hashtags strategically:
Research hashtags used by top creators in your niche. Study the hashtags that influencers and popular accounts in your niche use in their content. This can reveal valuable insights into which hashtags resonate most with your target audience.1
Test out different hashtags to see which perform best. Try using a mix of popular and niche hashtags and analyze which ones lead to the most views, likes, comments, and shares on your content. Pay attention to which hashtags over-perform so you can continue optimizing.2
Leverage viral hashtag challenges. Participating in trending hashtag challenges can provide a signal boost, especially if you put a creative spin on your content. Make sure to use the correct hashtag so your video appears in the challenge feed.
Hashtags are more impactful when used deliberately as part of an overall strategy. Do your research, test different options, and capitalize on challenges to maximize the visibility of your TikTok content.
Potential Drawbacks of Hashtags
While hashtags can be a useful discovery tool on TikTok, overusing them or using irrelevant ones can have some drawbacks. Here are some potential issues to keep in mind:
Using too many hashtags in a video’s caption can seem spammy to viewers. Though there is no definitive limit, it’s generally best to use around 5-10 relevant hashtags per video. Going far beyond this range could make you seem desperate for views and engagement.
Certain extremely popular hashtags like #fyp or #foryoupage can be very crowded. Unless your content is exceptionally captivating, it may get buried and struggle to rank highly when using these competitive tags. It’s usually better to go for more specific hashtags with modest but engaged audiences.
Irrelevant or unrelated hashtags detract from your video and may confuse viewers. Only use hashtags that clearly apply to your content. For example, using #comedy on a cooking tutorial would be distracting.
Some users may find hashtag spamming annoying and choose not to follow you. Moderation is key for a quality viewer experience.
In most cases, hashtags should complement your content rather than dominate it. Keep these potential drawbacks in mind, and focus on using hashtags appropriately to enhance discoverability.
Following Users Through Hashtags
One useful way to find creators in a specific niche on TikTok is by following hashtags related to that topic. When you tap on a hashtag, you can scroll through and see all of the videos that have used that hashtag. From there, you can check out the profiles of creators who have posted content with that hashtag and choose to follow them if you like their videos.
For example, if you’re interested in comedy videos, searching for hashtags like #comedy, #standupcomedy, or #comedylife and exploring videos with those tags can help you discover funny creators to follow. The same goes for any interest – find relevant hashtags and it gives you a tailored feed of creators in your niche.
Following hashtags essentially allows you to follow topics and subjects you like rather than specific individual accounts. As new users post videos using your followed hashtag, their content will show up in your main “Following” feed. This makes it easy to stay up-to-date with the latest popular videos focused around your interests.
Conclusion
Hashtags are an essential part of strategically using TikTok to reach new audiences and expand your following. By searching hashtags relevant to your content and niche, you can connect with users who are already interested in those topics. Including the right mix of popular and niche hashtags in your videos gives them the maximum chance of being discovered.
When using hashtags, focus on choosing ones that authentically relate to your content. Avoid stuffing videos with unrelated hashtags just to try and game the system. Think about hashtags as a way to reach your ideal audience and build a community around shared interests.
With TikTok’s powerful search and discovery features, hashtags make it easy for videos to find the right viewers. But you need to be strategic in choosing hashtags that fit your brand and attract real engagement. By understanding how to search by hashtag and use them effectively, you can unlock the full potential of TikTok.
