Yes, you can search TikTok on desktop. While TikTok was originally a mobile-only app, the platform has expanded to allow users to search and browse TikTok on desktop browsers as well. There are a few different ways to search TikTok on desktop, depending on whether you want to search within the TikTok website or from your desktop browser’s search bar.
Searching on TikTok.com
The easiest way to search TikTok on desktop is to go directly to the TikTok website at www.tiktok.com. This will bring you to the TikTok desktop experience, which has a very similar layout and functionality to the TikTok mobile app.
To search on TikTok.com:
- Go to www.tiktok.com in your desktop browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc). You do not need to create an account to search and view content.
- In the top navigation bar, click on the magnifying glass search icon on the right side.
- Type your search query into the search bar. You can search for usernames, hashtags, sounds, or any keywords.
- Hit enter or click the magnifying glass icon again to run the search.
This will bring up results on the desktop TikTok website similar to how they appear in the mobile app. You’ll see a mix of relevant videos, hashtags, effects, usernames, and sounds.
Searching Within Specific Categories
When searching on TikTok.com, you can also narrow your search to specific categories like users, hashtags, or sounds:
- Users: Type
@before your search term to find matching usernames. - Hashtags: Type
#before your search term to find matching hashtags. - Sounds: Type
" "around your search term to find TikToks using a specific sound.
This makes it easy to dive deeper into specific types of content on desktop just like you can on mobile.
Using Filters
On the TikTok website, you can also filter search results by selecting options like video length, upload date, and more. Click on the filter icon in the search bar to access available filters for your query.
Searching TikTok from Desktop Browser
The other way you can search TikTok from desktop is by using your browser’s built-in search bar. This allows you to search TikTok without having to go directly to the website.
Here’s how to search TikTok this way:
- Open a new tab in your desktop browser.
- Type your search term into the browser search bar, followed by
site:tiktok.com. For example:cat videos site:tiktok.com - Hit enter to run the search. This will pull up TikTok videos related to your query.
Adding site:tiktok.com limits the search results to only pages on TikTok. You can use this search operator in any major desktop browser.
Advanced Keyword Searching
When searching TikTok from your desktop browser, you can also use some advanced syntax to fine-tune your query:
- Include hashtags using
#, like#cat site:tiktok.com - Search for sounds with quotation marks, like
"oh no" site:tiktok.com - Find videos by specific users with
@username site:tiktok.com
This gives you more options to surface the exact type of content you’re looking for directly from your browser search bar.
Signing Up for an Account
While searching TikTok on desktop is possible without an account, signing up for a TikTok account unlocks additional features.
Here are some of the key benefits of having a TikTok account for desktop:
- Like, comment on, and share videos
- Follow other users and view your feed
- Upload your own videos
- Use effects and filters
- Go live
- Shop creator products
- Save videos, sounds, hashtags, etc.
To sign up:
- Go to TikTok.com and click Sign Up
- Enter your email, birthday, username, password, and phone number (optional)
- Click Sign Up to create your account
Your TikTok account works across mobile and desktop, so everything is synchronized.
Switching Between Accounts
If you have multiple TikTok accounts, you can easily switch between them on desktop:
- Click your profile icon in the bottom right corner
- Select Switch Accounts
- Choose the account you want to switch to and log in
Switching accounts allows you to quickly access different personalized feeds and settings.
Keyboard Shortcuts
TikTok on desktop also provides some keyboard shortcuts for easier browsing and navigation:
- Space – Play/pause video
- Left Arrow – Replay video
- Right Arrow – Next video
- M – Mute/unmute
- L – Like video
- S – Share video
- C – Open comments
These shortcuts allow you to quickly take actions while watching TikToks on your computer.
Additional Desktop Features
Along with basic viewing and account features, the TikTok website provides some additional tools for creators and power users:
- TikTok for Desktop app – Installable desktop app for convenience
- Creator Tools – Advanced analytics, content programming, etc.
- TikTok Ads Manager – For advertisers to manage and optimize ad campaigns
So in summary – searching TikTok on desktop is entirely possible through TikTok.com or your browser. While the mobile experience is still the main focus, desktop provides accessibility for those who prefer using a computer. Signing up for an account unlocks the full range of features, and additional tools cater specifically to creators and marketers. Overall, desktop search gives TikTok added flexibility across platforms.
