There are a few ways you can get a good idea of whether someone uses TikTok or not. While it’s difficult to know for certain if a person has a TikTok account, looking for signs like mentioning TikTok videos, recognizable audios, doing TikTok dances, or having the app on their phone can indicate TikTok use. Ultimately, the only way to be 100% sure is by asking the person directly or having access to their accounts.
Check Their Phone for the TikTok App
One of the clearest signs someone uses TikTok is if they have the TikTok app installed on their smartphone. If you have the opportunity to glance at their home screen or app drawer, look for the white logo on a black background. Most TikTok users will have the app easily accessible on one of their main screens. The presence of the app is a strong indicator the person maintains a TikTok account and checks the platform regularly.
They Reference TikTok Videos or Memes in Conversation
Heavy TikTok users will often make references to popular TikTok videos or memes in everyday conversation, so listen for mentions of trending stars, sounds, challenges or other TikTok content. For example, they may quote recognizable lines from viral videos or break into the popular dances moves associated with certain songs. Even just saying “I saw this on TikTok…” can be a clear giveaway. If they’re referencing TikTok-specific content, chances are they have an account and watch regularly.
Their Interests Align with TikTok Trends
If someone seems to display knowledge or interest around current TikTok trends and culture, that’s a strong sign of TikTok use. For example, if they know all the words to the latest TikTok dance song or discuss internet celebrities primarily known for their TikTok presence, TikTok is likely part of their online routine. TikTok tends to shape pop culture among its userbase, so someone in the know on the latest viral songs, challenges, slang and more is probably on TikTok.
Listen for Sounds and Audio from TikTok Videos
Part of what makes TikTok so addictive is users constantly reusing sounds and audio from other popular videos in their own content. If you frequently hear viral TikTok sounds and audio snippets in the presence of someone, there’s a good chance they use the app. Distinctive TikTok catchphrases, meme audio and viral song clips can give away TikTok habits pretty quickly to those familiar with what’s trending in the app.
Their Social Media Content Resembles TikTok Videos
Some TikTok fans maintain accounts on other platforms like Instagram, Facebook or Twitter primarily to share their TikTok videos beyond the app. If someone is frequently posting short videos or memes with hashtags, music and effects resembling TikTok’s style, they likely have a TikTok account they are drawing that content from. Repurposed TikTok material on other social networks is a straightforward indicator the person uses TikTok regularly.
Look for a TikTok Link in Their Social Media Bios
Many enthusiastic TikTok creators include a link directly to their TikTok profile in the bios of their other social media accounts like Twitter and Instagram. If you notice “@mytiktokname” or “Follow me on TikTok!” in someone’s profile, clearly TikTok is part of their social media ecosystem. Following those links can often lead you right to that person’s TikTok account if they are openly promoting it across platforms.
Their Friends Mention Them Being on TikTok
In some cases, your closest contacts may already know the person uses TikTok, even if you don’t. Asking around to mutual connections can provide confirmation – comments like “Oh yeah, they’re always showing me TikToks” are a giveaway. People also frequently tag each other on TikTok, so if others have tagged the person you’re investigating publicly, their account will surface. Getting the inside scoop from other friends can reveal TikTok habits.
Look for a TikTok Account Under Their Name
If you have some basic personal details like a potential username or their full name, you may be able to search on TikTok and locate an account. TikTok’s search tool allows looking up users, so you can try entering their name, username variations or phone number if you have it. Be aware impersonator accounts do exist, so vet the account thoroughly before assuming it belongs to your person of interest.
Use Social Media Monitoring Tools
For public figures like celebrities and influencers, social media monitoring tools like SocialBlade can track which platforms an individual is active on. These tools scrape publicly available data to compile analytics on social media usage. So for prominent personas, services like SocialBlade may have already identified TikTok activity and can reveal this detail quickly.
Ask to Add Them on TikTok
Ultimately, the surest way to confirm whether someone uses TikTok is to just ask them politely if they have an account, and if they’ll add you as a friend or follower. There’s nothing wrong with simply asking in a friendly manner to connect on TikTok if you suspect they’re a user. Most active TikTok users will be happy to build up their audience.
Look for TikTok Sharing Options on Their Phone
On both iPhone and Android devices, TikTok integrates with system sharing options once the app is installed. So if you happen to notice TikTok as a sharing option when they post content from their phone, it’s definitive proof of a TikTok account. Examples are sharing photos or videos from the camera roll where TikTok appears alongside apps like Messages, Mail and Instagram.
Observe How They Scroll Through Videos
TikTok has a very characteristic vertical, endless video scrolling feed. Frequent users develop a particular thumbing or scrolling motionunique to TikTok, similar to the infamous Instagram scrolling technique. If their thumbing or scrolling movement mimics the TikTok style, they likely have experience with the app.
Check TheirFollowing Lists on Instagram or Twitter
Some TikTok users, especially influencers trying to expand their reach, will follow tons of random accounts on other social platforms hoping for a follow back. Review who they follow on Insta and Twitter looking for signs they follow tons of strangers, which is common growth hacking behavior on TikTok. Mass following can reveal their TikTok habits.
See if They Use Slang/Lingo Popularized on TikTok
Certain terms like “FYP” (For Your Page), “DC” (Dance Challenge) and “POS” (Point of View) have been popularized by TikTok culture and mostly only make sense to users. If you hear someone use TikTok lingo like saying “Imagine this blowing up on the FYP,” they spend time on TikTok and have picked up the slang.
Check Musical.ly Following/Followers for Crossover
Since TikTok originated from the merger of Musical.ly and TikTok, look for leftover Musical.ly connections. Musical.ly accounts were transferred to TikTok automatically, so someone with followers or following can indicate an early TikTok adopter. The Musical.ly app contained many of TikTok’s core features before fully merging.
See if They Have Linked Their TikTok to YouTube
Prolific TikTok creators often will link or embed their TikTok content on other platforms like YouTube to reach wider audiences. If the person you’re investigating has a YouTube channel, check their videos and descriptions for any links or references to TikTok. Many YouTubers now maintain a presence on both platforms.
Scan Their Other Social Media for TikTok References
It only takes one small reference to TikTok on another social platform to give away TikTok habits. Even a platform like LinkedIn may contain a mention of TikTok in someone’s profile, experience or posts. Look for subtle TikTok clues anywhere their name appears online for confirmation they use the app.
See If They Film/Pose For Content in a TikTok-Like Manner
Some behaviors like filming themselves dancing or striking poses are strongly associated with creating TikTok content. If what they’re doing looks like it’s meant for TikTok, there’s a good chance that’s exactly where they intend to post it. Filming and posing for TikTok-style content reveals familiarity with the app and its culture.
Watch Their Reactions to TikTok Mentions
One sneaky way to potentially expose TikTok habits is to strategically mention the app in conversation and closely watch their response. A strong reaction to a TikTok reference can betray hidden familiarity and usage. If their face lights up when you say “TikTok,” it may just be their secret obsession.
