The key to becoming searchable and discoverable on TikTok is to optimize your content and profile so that you show up when people search for relevant terms. This includes using strategic hashtags, crafting search-friendly titles and descriptions, leveraging trends, and building up an engaged audience. With some effort put into search engine optimization (SEO) and understanding TikTok’s discovery algorithm, you can get your videos and profile to appear in search results and “For You” feeds.
Use relevant, popular hashtags
Hashtags are essential for making your content easily discoverable on TikTok. Strategically include keywords and phrases that are commonly searched for and aligned with your niche or video topic. Check what hashtags are trending or have high volumes of views in your niche, and use a mix of popular tags along with some more niche ones. You want to be discoverable but not get lost in tags that have billions of views. Place relevant hashtags in the description, not just as a comment. Use up to the maximum of 100 characters for hashtag space.
Craft an SEO-optimized profile
Your TikTok profile itself needs to be optimized with keywords for your niche or content focus. This includes your bio, username, and display name. Make sure you use all the character space available to work in important search terms. Your profile photo and videos should also clearly align with your niche. Have a consistent brand that makes it obvious what you’re about. An optimized profile means people will find you directly when searching relevant terms even without watching your videos first.
Use searchable titles, captions and text
Include keyword phrases in your video titles and opening on-screen text. Titles can be up to 100 characters, so make use of that space. Opening text also helps establish relevance. Write detailed captions that expand on the topic and include related keywords. The first 75 characters of captions are the most important for SEO. Use captions to provide additional context and hit keywords you didn’t fit in the title. Make sure to enable captions so the text is searchable.
Leverage trends and challenges
Jumping on trending challenges, hashtags, and topics is a great way to make your content more visible in TikTok’s algorithms. Keep an eye out for trending sounds, hashtags, effects, and challenges circulating. Put your own spin on them aligned with your niche and style. This taps into what’s already trending in searches and “For You” feeds. You can give trends your own twist to stand out while still optimizing discoverability. Just make sure to avoid oversaturated challenges.
Cross-promote content
Drawing viewers from other platforms like Instagram over to your TikTok can give your new profile a boost. Promote your TikTok in your Instagram bio, stories, posts, and channel. You can even upload TikTok videos natively to Instagram now. Use consistent branding and usernames across platforms so fans can easily find your TikTok. Hashtag cross-promotion, collaborating with others, and leveraging influencers can also get more eyeballs on your TikTok from day one.
Post high-quality content consistently
Posting engaging, high-quality videos consistently is key for being discoverable on TikTok long-term. The more content you have, the more opportunities for views, likes, comments, and shares to signal relevance to the algorithm. Aim to post at least once per day if possible, testing different times to see when your audience is most active. Check your analytics to optimize based on your best-performing times and types of videos. Consistency keeps your profile active and surfaces it in searches.
Interact with your audience
Building up an engaged audience on TikTok goes hand in hand with SEO. Getting profile visits, video views, comments, likes, and shares boosts how TikTok’s algorithm ranks your account. Reply to comments, follow supporters, check out FYP videos, and engage beyond just posting your own content. Collaborate with niche creators. Participate in your niche community. Positivity and providing value helps build genuine supporters.
Optimize Your Videos
In addition to optimizing your text, hashtags, captions, etc., make sure your actual video content is crafted for maximum discoverability. Use eye-catching thumbnails, structure videos to best showcase your skills/message right away, use on-trend audio, and so on. Videos under 3 minutes tend to perform best on TikTok. Edit clips for pacing and conciseness. Do not rely on text overlays alone – focus on visual storytelling. Optimize both the textual elements and video content itself.
Analyze Your Performance
Use TikTok analytics to identify your top performing content in terms of views, likes, comments, shares, etc. See which hashtags, sounds, effects, captions, video styles, etc. resonate best. Then double down on what works and adjust what doesn’t. Pay attention to audience retention as well. Identify your peak posting times. Continuously refine your strategy based on data. SEO is an evolving process on TikTok as competitions and trends change.
Advertise Strategically
TikTok ads can be a strategic investment to boost a new or underperforming profile. Test different objectives like traffic, conversions, app installs, etc. Target both broad audiences and lookalike audiences based on your ideal viewer. Monitor performance and double down on the highest converting targets, placements, and creative. Effective ads can rapidly scale up views, follows and engagement. Just make sure content stays consistent post-ad so new followers stick around.
Partner With Niche Influencers
Collaborating with niche-relevant TikTok creators with engaged followings can expose your brand to new, targeted audiences. Do dance challenges together, collab on a niche-focused video, have them test or review your product, etc. Make sure partnerships feel like a natural fit, not forced. Don’t just do a basic shoutout – put thought into integrated content suited for each influencer’s audience. Big follower numbers are less important than an influencer’s connection with a niche.
Go Live Frequently
TikTok LIVE can help boost your views, follows and profile visits by putting you in front of new audiences in real-time. You can go live with collaborators or on your own. Promote your LIVE videos beforehand via captions. During LIVEs, engage viewers through comments and invite them to follow. Share your Instagram or other details. Save your LIVE replays since they remain discoverable afterwards. Consistently go live around the same time so viewers know when to tune in.
Connect Your Other Social Accounts
Linking your other social media accounts like Instagram, YouTube, Twitch in your TikTok profile taps into those existing audiences. This signals TikTok that you’re a reputable creator with an established presence. Cross-promoting your TikTok via other platforms then encourages followers to migrate over. Consistent branding and handles makes connecting intuitive. Driving external traffic to TikTok from searches boosts impressions.
Make it easy to search you on TikTok
Having a simple, memorable handle makes it easy for people to find your profile when searched or shared by word of mouth. Avoid cryptic strings of numbers/letters. Spelling out full words related to your niche helps as well. Using your name can work depending on how unique it is. Just keep it short, simple, and indicative of your brand. Check URL availability to claim a personalized link like tiktok.com/@[yourname].
Enhance Your Profile Visually
Profile photos, banners, and bio links enable you to further establish your niche visually. TikTok profile photos appear in search, so make sure yours clearly aligns with your brand and content focus. Add a profile banner that engagingly showcases what you’re about. Use Linktree or another landing page for your bio link to point viewers to your other social profiles, website, store, etc. Visual personalization amplifies your SEO.
Be Patient and Consistent
Becoming searchable and discoverable on TikTok takes time and sustained effort. Follow all the tips above, but also be patient and consistent. The algorithm needs time to determine the relevance of a new profile. As you build up content, engagement, and authority, your positioning will improve. SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time optimization. Stick with the strategies that perform best and continuously adapt.
Check Your Progress
Utilize TikTok’s analytics to monitor your progress in terms of followers, views, engagement, traffic sources, top videos, etc. See if searches are driving more views or if “Suggested Users” improve. Periodically search for your own name and niche keywords to check positioning. Improved search visibility, follower growth, and consistent engagement signals your SEO efforts are working.
By focusing on optimization best practices, leveraging trends, and analyzing your performance, you can make your profile and content increasingly discoverable on TikTok. SEO is key for getting found by new viewers and building a loyal audience.
