TikTok is a popular short-form video social media platform owned by ByteDance, where users can create and share entertaining 15-60 second videos. With over 1 billion monthly active users as of November 2022 [1], TikTok has grown into one of the most widely used social media apps globally. Users may want to find someone’s TikTok profile to watch more of their videos, see what content they create, collaborate with them, or learn more about their interests and life. Looking up a specific person on TikTok allows you to connect with creators and personalities you find entertaining or inspiring.
Search on TikTok
The easiest way to search for a TikTok user is directly through the TikTok app or website. TikTok has a search bar at the top of the home screen that allows you to search for specific users. To use it:
On the TikTok app, tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen. This will open up the search bar. Type in the full username of the person you want to find. TikTok will show you a list of accounts matching your search terms. Tap the one you want to go to that user’s profile.
On the TikTok website, click the magnifying glass icon at the top right of the screen. This will open the search bar. Type in the full username and press enter or click the search icon. You will see a list of matching accounts. Click the profile picture to go to that user’s profile page.
TikTok’s built-in search makes it easy to find other users if you know their exact username. Just type it into the search bar and select their profile from the results. Remember usernames are case-sensitive.
Search by Username
Searching for a specific user on TikTok is easy using their unique username. You can search by username both on the TikTok app and website.
On the TikTok app, tap the search icon at the top and type in the exact username you want to find. The app will show results for that username as well as suggestions for similar names. Tap on the username to go directly to that user’s profile and content.
You can also search by username on the TikTok website. Go to https://www.tiktok.com/ and type the exact username in the search bar at the top. Hit enter and it will take you to that user’s profile page to browse their content.
Searching by the exact username is the most precise way to find a specific TikTok user. Make sure you have the correct spelling and capitalization of their unique username for the best search results.
Search by Hashtag or Sounds
You can find TikTok users who commonly use certain hashtags or audio clips in their videos. Here’s how:
- Tap the search icon at the top right of the TikTok app.
- In the search bar, type a hashtag (preceded by the # symbol) or the name of a sound clip you want to search for.
- This will bring up a list of videos using that hashtag or sound. Tap “See All” to view more results.
- When viewing the search results, you can tap on any video to go to the creator’s profile and follow them if desired.
- You can also scroll down and tap “Accounts” to browse a list of users who commonly use that hashtag/sound.
Searching by hashtag or sound is a great way to find TikTok creators relevant to your interests. Following them can help their videos show up in your main feed. [1]
Reverse Image Search
You can use Google Images to perform a reverse image search and try to find matching TikTok accounts. Here’s how:
- Go to Google Images and click on the camera icon.
- Upload a profile picture or any image from the TikTok account you want to find.
- Google will search for matching or similar images across the web, including on TikTok.
- Look through the search results to see if any link back to a TikTok profile that matches the image.
Reverse image search can be helpful if you have a profile picture but don’t know the user’s username. It allows you to use visual clues to try tracking down a TikTok account. However, it’s not guaranteed to work if the user has a common profile picture.
Search User Lists
One way to find TikTok users is by searching rankings and lists of top users. There are many websites that compile lists of the most popular, most followed, and fastest growing TikTok users.
For example, Wikipedia has a page listing the most-followed TikTok accounts. This list includes mega-influencers like Charli D’Amelio, Khaby Lame, Bella Poarch, and Addison Rae. You can browse it to discover top personalities.
Sites like Favikon also publish regularly updated rankings of the top TikTok influencers. Their latest list shows the most followed accounts as of 2022. Checking user lists like these can be a quick way to find the biggest stars and up-and-coming creators on the platform.
Some lists focus on users from certain demographics or geographic regions. Searching niche lists related to your interests may help surface lesser-known but highly talented creators. Just keep in mind that rankings are constantly changing as users gain and lose followers.
Search Through Friends
One way to find a TikTok user is by browsing the friends and followers of other users you already know. Here’s how:
- Open the TikTok app and go to the profile of a user you already follow.
- Tap on the “Following” tab to see who they follow or the “Followers” tab to see their followers.
- Browse the list to see if the user you’re searching for appears.
- You can also tap on individual users in the list to check if the person you want follows them or is followed by them.
- Repeat this process with other friends and users you already know on TikTok to widen your search.
Often times, the user you’re looking for will be connected to or follow other users in your extended network. Browsing friends and followers of people you already know can help uncover the account you want to find.[1]
Third-Party Sites
There are several third-party websites that index TikTok content and user profiles, allowing you to search for TikTok users without having an account:
Urlebird has a powerful search function that lets you find specific creators and hashtags. You can browse TikTok profiles and content without logging in.
CommentPicker is a TikTok ID finder tool that lets you look up a user’s ID and account stats like follower count just by searching their username.
Influencers Club offers a free TikTok user search tool to look up creators by location, niche, and other filters without needing an account.
Contact TikTok
If your TikTok account was banned or disabled, you can contact TikTok to request a review or appeal the decision. According to TikTok’s community guidelines, you can appeal account bans within 30 days by contacting TikTok support.
To contact TikTok about a banned account, visit https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback and fill out the webform with your email address, username, and details about why you think your account was wrongly banned. You can also email TikTok at [email protected] or [email protected] to explain your situation and request an appeal.
If someone is impersonating you or a loved one on TikTok, you can report fake accounts directly through TikTok’s reporting tool. You’ll need to provide the fake username, your real name, contact information, and evidence that you’re the real person.
Keep in mind that TikTok does not allow banned users to create new accounts. Follow their policies and appeal process if you believe your account was disabled unfairly.
Safety Tips
When searching for users on TikTok, it’s important to keep your safety and privacy in mind. Here are some tips:
Avoid sharing any personal or identifying information like your real name, location, school, etc. This protects your privacy and prevents harassment (TikTok Safety Tips).
Turn off location services for the TikTok app so your location isn’t shared. You can also make your account private so only approved followers can see your content (Internet Safety: 20 Tips for TikTok Security).
Use TikTok’s Restricted Mode to limit the appearance of content that may be inappropriate or offensive. This can help avoid unwanted interactions (An update on the steps we take to keep teens safe on TikTok).
Be cautious about connecting with strangers online. While you may have shared interests, verify they are who they say they are before sharing personal details.
