The short answer is yes, TikTok videos can show up on Google search results. However, not all TikTok videos will appear in search results. There are a few factors that determine if a TikTok video has a chance to rank and show up on the first page of Google.
How TikTok Videos Get Indexed by Google
For a TikTok video to have a chance of ranking on Google, first it needs to be indexable and crawlable by Google’s web crawlers and bots. Here are the main ways TikTok videos can get indexed:
- The video is posted natively on TikTok with a unique URL and metadata. All public TikTok videos get their own URL that can be shared.
- The video is embedded on a website or blog. Many publishers embed or link to TikTok videos from articles and posts.
- The video is shared on other platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc. Cross-posting increases visibility.
- The video is downloaded and reuploaded elsewhere like YouTube or a personal website.
Essentially, if a TikTok video exists on the open web with its own URL, there is a possibility for Google to find, index, and rank it. Videos natively hosted on the TikTok platform have the most challenge being indexed since TikTok doesn’t allow crawling.
Ranking Factors for TikTok Videos
Simply being indexable is not enough for a TikTok video to rank high or even show up in Google search results. There are a number of factors that determine ranking and visibility. Some key factors include:
- Keywords – Having relevant keywords in the video title, description, hashtags, surrounding text on the webpage, etc. This gives Google an indication of the topic and subject matter.
- Popularity – High view counts, shares, links, embeds, hashtags, comments, etc. Signals that a video resonates with viewers.
- Authority – Videos from verified accounts and creators tend to rank better than random accounts.
- Inbound Links – Getting links to the video from high authority domains boosts rankings.
- Surrounding Text – Contextual text around an embedded video or on the webpage provides relevance clues.
Essentially, TikTok videos embedded or linked from authority websites and blogs have the highest chance of ranking in search results. Randomly uploaded and shared videos will have a hard time.
Optimizing TikTok Videos for Google Search
There are a number of optimization best practices that can improve the discoverability of TikTok videos on Google search:
- Include popular and relevant keywords in the video title and description
- Use captions to improve keyword targeting and context
- Tag location to help signal video content
- Use relevant hashtags, especially less competitive long-tail tags
- Promote high-quality comments that build keyword relevancy
- Upload natively in highest resolution
- Cross-post to YouTube with backlinks to native TikTok URL
- Get inbound links to the video from authority websites and blogs
TikTok creators trying to be discovered on Google should focus on producing high-quality videos with popular trends and leverage other platforms to build authority and inbound links.
Challenges for TikTok Videos Ranking on Google
There are some inherent challenges with TikTok videos ranking on Google search:
- Native TikTok videos are difficult for Google to crawl and index
- Short-form vertical video isn’t ideal for YouTube and Google
- Frequent use of music and copyrighted content
- Constantly changing trends and hashtags
- Minimal surrounding text and context for embedded videos
- TikTok doesn’t share public data with search engines
Due to these factors, only a tiny fraction of TikTok videos will ever gain visibility on Google. Creators need to focus on quality over quantity and leverage other platforms to increase discoverability.
Strategies to Get TikTok Videos on Google
Here are some of the top strategies TikTok creators and publishers can leverage to get their videos found on Google:
- Cross-post natively uploaded videos to YouTube
- Publish and embed videos on niche blogs and information sites related to the content
- Include links and embeds in relevant online forum discussions and social conversations
- Promote and build links to videos from social media profiles
- Repurpose content into longer-form video and text assets
- Focus on evergreen and useful content not tied to trends
- Leverage Google Posts and other rich snippet features
The key is creating high-quality assets that stand alone outside of TikTok and building authority and inbound signals to boost rankings. Appearing organically on Google should be viewed as a secondary discovery channel.
Should You Focus on Ranking TikTok Videos on Google?
Most TikTok creators likely don’t need to overly focus and optimize for Google search. Only a tiny percentage of videos have a chance of ranking. However, for publishers and brands investing in high-quality evergreen TikTok content, Google search can provide incremental viewership, traffic, and discovery.
Here are some pros and cons of trying to rank TikTok videos on Google:
Pros
- Provides incremental viewers and traffic
- Opens up content to new audiences
- Can drive awareness to TikTok channel
- Additional social proof and credibility
Cons
- Very difficult and competitive to rank organically
- Requires extra time and effort to repackage content
- Minimal direct impact on core TikTok viewership
- Focus may dilute core content quality
Every creator and brand needs to weigh if pursuing Google search visibility will generate ROI based on their goals, resources, and content strategy.
Conclusion
TikTok videos can appear on Google search results but actually ranking requires the right optimization strategies. Creators should focus on producing high-quality evergreen content, leveraging metadata effectively, and promoting videos on other platforms to build inbound links and authority. While achieving Google search visibility provides incremental value, most TikTok creators will likely benefit more from focusing on the core platform experience.
