Searching for users on TikTok via the web browser is easy and straightforward. You can find other TikTok users by searching their username, viewing hashtag pages, or exploring the “Discover” and “For You” feeds. Here’s a step-by-step guide to searching for users on desktop TikTok.
Search by Username
The easiest way to find a specific TikTok user is to search their unique username. To do this:
- Go to TikTok.com and log into your account if you have one.
- Click the search bar at the top of the screen. It will say “Search accounts and videos.”
- Type the exact username of the account you want to find.
- Press enter or click the search icon.
TikTok will show results for that username at the top. Make sure it’s the account you were looking for by checking the profile photo, username, and bio.
Pro tip: Usernames are case-sensitive, so make sure you type it exactly as the user has styled it. Typos will turn up no results.
Find Users Through Hashtags
Another way to discover TikTok users is by exploring hashtags. When someone posts a video using a hashtag, their content appears on that hashtag’s page. To find users this way:
- Think of a hashtag related to a topic, interest, or community you want to explore.
- Search for that hashtag in the bar at the top.
- Click on the hashtag from the results dropdown.
- This opens the page for that hashtag. Scroll through the videos that appear.
- If you find a video you like, click the profile picture or username to check out that user.
Looking through popular hashtags like #foryou, #fyp, and #viral can surface accounts you may want to follow. Niche hashtags related to your interests are also great for finding like-minded users.
Use the Discover Page
The Discover page on desktop TikTok recommends accounts you may like based on your interactions. To find users this way:
- Click the Discover tab in the left sidebar menu.
- Scroll down to browse recommended accounts and videos.
- When you find an account you like, click Follow next to their name.
- Their videos will now appear in your Following feed.
The Discover page is personalized to your tastes, so it learns who to suggest the more you use TikTok. Checking Discover regularly can unveil new accounts similar to ones you already follow.
Look Through the For You Feed
TikTok’s For You feed also recommends content and accounts you may be interested in. To browse for users here:
- Click the For You tab in the left sidebar menu.
- Watch full videos from the feed to better inform recommendations.
- Follow any accounts you enjoy by clicking Follow next to their username.
The more videos you engage with in the For You feed, the better it becomes at surfacing accounts you’ll like. It takes your interests into account based on what you watch, like, share, and more.
Check Out Other Users’ Profile Pages
When you come across an account you like, explore who they follow for even more users to discover. To do this:
- Visit the profile of the account you found and like.
- Click Followers or Following on their page.
- Browse the list of other accounts that appear.
- Follow any you find interesting.
Accounts often follow and interact with other users who post similar content. So if you like one TikToker’s style, their followers and follows can lead you to more great accounts.
Look Up Friends From Other Networks
If your friends are on TikTok but you don’t know their username, try searching their full name. TikTok will show accounts associated with that name.
You can also find TikTok accounts connected to profiles on other social networks. Search “[their name] TikTok” on Google or check links in their Instagram bio to discover if they have a TikTok account.
Connecting with friends on TikTok allows you to easily share videos, collaborate on duets, and show support for each other’s content.
Search with TikTok’s Suggested Users Tool
TikTok provides a Suggested Users list tailored specifically to your interests. To access it:
- Click the Profile icon.
- Select the menu item Suggested.
- Browse the list of recommended accounts.
- Follow those that appeal to you.
TikTok compiles suggested users based on the content you watch and engage with. These are accounts it thinks you’ll like and want to follow.
Look Up Verified Accounts
Searching for verified accounts can surface influential users with high-quality content. To find them:
- Use “verified” as a search term to see verified accounts.
- You can also search things like “verified comedy” or “verified beauty” to narrow it down.
- Click the accounts with a blue checkmark icon next to their name.
Verified status is granted to notable public figures, celebs, brands, and artists. Following verified accounts can give you top trending content on TikTok.
Use Recommended Sounds
When viewing a TikTok video, you can click the sound clip playing to see other videos using that same music or audio. This reveals accounts posting content with similar vibes. To use this method:
- As you watch a TikTok video, click the sound name.
- This will bring up a Sounds page with other associated videos.
- Follow the accounts who created videos you like.
Discovering users through shared sounds and audio clips can help you find creators with parallel tastes and style.
Check Out LIVE Videos
TikTok has a LIVE feature where accounts can broadcast real-time footage to viewers. To find users through livestreams:
- Click the LIVE tab in the sidebar menu.
- Browse the accounts currently streaming live content.
- Follow any you find interesting.
LIVE lets you get a candid, unedited look at a TikToker and their content. Following LIVE streamers can enhance your feed with real-time videos.
Seek Out Influencers in Your Niche
Influential accounts in your industry or niche can provide valuable content related to your interests. To find them:
- Search hashtags related to your niche like #socialmedia, #gardening, etc.
- Look at accounts with high follower counts posting top content.
- Check their other social media links for insight into their authority.
- Follow influencers who create content you’d like to see more of.
Following thought leaders in your space is a great way to discover niche content on TikTok tailored right to your field or profession.
Look Up Friends of Friends
You may be able to find more accounts to follow by checking out who your current follows interact with. To try this:
- Visit the profile page of an account you follow.
- Click the Heart tab to see who they’ve liked.
- Click the Comments tab to see who they chat with.
- Follow interesting accounts engaging with your follows.
Since your friends and follows like similar content, exploring their connections can reveal more users posting videos you’ll enjoy.
Dive Into Your Recommended Videos
Accounts that show up frequently in your For You feed or Recommended Videos are likely aligned with your interests. To find more users this way:
- Go to the Recommended or For You section.
- Note accounts who post multiple videos you like.
- Head to those accounts’ profile pages to check them out.
- Follow the ones resonating with your tastes.
Recurring accounts in your recommended content have already been identified by TikTok as creators you’ll probably want to follow.
Look Up Fans of Your Favorite Creators
If you love the content from one TikTok user, their own followers may post similar videos. To try this tactic:
- Visit the profile of your favorite TikTok account.
- Click Followers or Following.
- Browse their followers/follows lists.
- Follow fans whose content looks appealing.
Fans of your top creators often like and make comparable content. Check out their follower communities for more tailored video picks.
Follow Your Contacts
If you allow TikTok access to your phone contacts, it can connect you with any existing friends and contacts already using it. To find them:
- Click Profile > Settings and privacy > Contacts syncing.
- Enable syncing access.
- TikTok will show following/follower connections.
- Follow back contacts you know who use TikTok.
Syncing your contacts to TikTok builds your social graph and helps tailor your feed with familiar faces and friends.
Check Out Popular Challenges
Viral hashtag challenges on TikTok feature videos from tons of diverse creators. To find users through challenges:
- Search for a popular challenge like #DealDropDance.
- Click the challenge’s sound and hashtag.
- Watch videos from the challenge.
- Follow participants whose content you enjoy.
Challenges unite the TikTok community around specific trends. Browsing challenge videos can expose you to a wide range of engaging accounts.
Dive Down Interest Rabbit Holes
TikTok’s algorithm recommends content based on your engagement. To fall down a rabbit hole:
- Tap and watch multiple videos around one interest.
- Like those videos and follow the accounts.
- TikTok will show you more and more related content.
- Follow creators it suggests who appeal to you.
Letting TikTok take you down an interest rabbit hole can unlock tons of accounts tailored precisely to your niche passions.
Use TikTok’s Search Tools
TikTok has advanced search filters to help narrow down users. You can search by keywords, accounts, sounds, hashtags, and more. To leverage search tools:
- Tap the magnifying glass to open Search.
- Select Filters to pick specific options.
- Refine your query even further.
- Follow interesting accounts in the results.
Search tools give you granular control to find exactly the types of users and content you want to see on your feed.