What are hidden TikTok accounts?
A hidden TikTok account is a profile that does not show up in search results or user recommendations on the platform (source: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/What-does-hidden-accounts-mean?lang=en). These accounts are essentially private and invisible to people who do not already follow the account.
TikTok users may choose to hide their accounts for a variety of reasons, such as:
- To maintain privacy and prevent unwanted contact from strangers
- To avoid attention from people they know in real life like coworkers or family members
- To control who can view the content they are posting
- To prevent bullying or harassment if they post sensitive content
Hiding an account on TikTok gives users more control over their online presence and privacy. It allows them to be selective about who can find and interact with their profile.
Identifying hidden TikTok accounts
There are a few ways to tell if a TikTok account is hidden or private:
- Searching for the username doesn’t bring up the account
- The account doesn’t show up in followers or following lists of other accounts
- TikTok analytics sites like SocialBlade don’t have data on the account
According to TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/discover/how-to-find-hidden-tiktok-accounts), hidden accounts are completely private and can’t be viewed by anyone except the account owner. There are limitations to finding hidden accounts:
- You can’t search hashtags or sounds to find hidden accounts
- Hidden accounts don’t show up under “Friends of Friends”
- There’s no way to request to follow a hidden account
Essentially, hidden TikTok accounts are fully private without any visibility to others on the platform. The only way to access the account is to get permission from the owner directly.
Searching by Username
The easiest way to find a hidden TikTok account is to search for the exact username. Simply open the TikTok app or website and type the username into the search bar. If the account exists, even if it’s hidden, it should still show up in the search results.
However, this method has some limitations. If you don’t know the exact username, searching won’t help you find the account. Additionally, some users may change or delete their username, making the account impossible to find this way. There are also ways to fully block an account from search results, even by username, according to TikTok’s help content.
So while searching by username can sometimes uncover hidden accounts, it’s not a foolproof method. You may need to use other approaches to find accounts if the username is unknown or has been changed.
Looking through followers/following
One way to find hidden TikTok accounts is to look through the followers and following lists of similar accounts. Since hidden accounts still follow and are followed by public accounts, you may be able to uncover them this way.
Try exploring the followers and following of accounts that post content similar to the hidden account you’re searching for. For example, if you’re looking for a hidden cooking account, check the followers of popular food accounts. There’s a chance the hidden account you want follows them too.
You can also search by hashtags that the hidden account frequently uses. Accounts often follow hashtags they commonly post about. Searching recent posts with relevant hashtags and browsing those accounts’ followers may reveal the hidden account.
According to this article, looking through similar accounts’ followers and following is one of the most effective ways to uncover hidden TikTok accounts.
While you still won’t be able to view the hidden account’s content unless you’re an approved follower, finding its username can help you request access if you want to follow it.
Using TikTok Analytics Sites
There are a few websites that provide analytics for TikTok accounts. These sites can be useful for finding some information about hidden accounts.
Sites like Social Blade and Social Tracker allow you to search for TikTok usernames. If the account comes up, you’ll be able to see some basic stats like number of followers, videos posted, etc. However, you won’t be able to view any private content.
While these sites won’t let you bypass privacy settings, they can help confirm if a hidden account exists. You can also look at the analytics over time to see if a private account is still active.
The main limitation is that if someone has a truly hidden account that they haven’t shared the username for, analytics sites won’t be able to find it. But if you have a username to start with, these sites can provide some useful clues.
Contacting the account owner
If the TikTok account owner has an unknown or hidden identity, one way to try to reach them is by messaging them on other platforms.
Search for the username on other social networks like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to see if you can find matching accounts. If you locate accounts that seem to be run by the same person, you may be able to send them a direct message and ask them to confirm if they also own the TikTok profile.
Another option is to go through the list of followers on the hidden TikTok account and see if any of them have public contact details available. You can then try sending those followers a message to ask if they know the person behind the account in question.
While most people will understandably want to protect the privacy of their contacts, some followers may be willing to help connect you to the account owner if your request seems reasonable and non-threatening.
Just remember to be polite in your requests and avoid harassing the account owner if they prefer not to be contacted. If someone wishes to remain anonymous, their privacy should be respected.
Reporting the Account
If you come across a TikTok account that appears to be hidden, you can report it directly to TikTok to investigate. On the TikTok app, go to the profile of the account you want to report. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Report”. Choose “Report User” and then select “This account is private and I would like it to be made public” as the reason for reporting.
TikTok will then review the report and determine if the account violates any community guidelines. However, there are limitations to reporting hidden accounts. TikTok allows users to make their accounts private for any reason, so reporting a hidden account does not guarantee TikTok will reveal it. Users have a right to privacy and the ability to control their audience on TikTok. Unless the account is clearly engaged in prohibited activities, TikTok will likely keep hidden accounts private at the user’s discretion.
Respecting privacy
Finding hidden TikTok accounts can be tempting, but it’s important to respect people’s privacy and boundaries. If someone has gone through the effort to make their account private or hidden, pursuing access against their wishes is unethical. According to How to view a private TikTok account without following them, “Private videos on TikTok are visible only to the account owner’s approved followers. If you are not an approved follower of the account, you don’t have permission to view the private content.”
The best approach is to reach out politely and ask for access. If the account owner declines or ignores the request, it’s best to move on and respect their privacy rather than trying to find workarounds. As How to View Private TikTok Accounts notes, “However, always proceed with caution and respect privacy laws and terms of service.” Pursuing hidden accounts against someone’s wishes violates the spirit of consent and ethical social media use.
Why accounts are hidden
There are several main reasons why someone may choose to make their TikTok account private or hidden:
Maintaining privacy – By making an account private, users can control who sees their content. This allows them to share more personal videos and information without worrying about it being viewed by strangers or acquaintances. Private accounts give users more privacy and help them feel comfortable being themselves on TikTok.
Avoiding harassment – Unfortunately, harassment is common on social media. Users, especially women and minorities, may face bullying, abusive comments, or threats if their account is public. A private account prevents unwanted interactions and provides a safer environment.
Separating audiences – Users may want to separate friend groups or professional/personal connections. A private account lets them choose exactly who can access their content. This allows sharing tailored content with different audiences.
Overall, private accounts on TikTok give users more control over their privacy, security, and how they engage on the platform. Hiding an account is often done to create a safer, more customized experience.
When you still can’t find it
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may be unable to uncover a hidden TikTok account. The owner may have utilized privacy settings like making the account private, changing the username, or limiting visibility. In these cases, you have to accept that you might not find the account.
Rather than obsessing over a hidden account, focus your energy on the public content available on TikTok. There are millions of videos you can watch and creators you can follow. Remember that people have a right to privacy and control over their online presence. While curiosity is natural, persistently hunting down someone’s hidden account against their wishes is inappropriate. If the account owner wanted you to view their content, they would have made it visible to you.
Healthy social media use involves respecting others’ boundaries and not demanding access to private accounts. Though it can be tempting to unlock hidden content, you will have a much more positive TikTok experience by focusing on what is willingly shared with you. There is plenty of fun and engaging material from public accounts to fill your feed.
