How Do I Search Users on TikTok?

Searching for users is one of the core features of TikTok that allows you to find new accounts to follow based on interests, usernames, hashtags, sounds, and more. There are a few different ways to search for TikTok users, depending on what information you have to start your search.

Searching by Username

The simplest way to find a specific TikTok user is to search directly by their username. To do this:

1. Open the TikTok app on your mobile device or access TikTok through a web browser.
2. Tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen (magnifying glass icon).
3. Type the exact username of the account you want to find into the search bar at the top.
4. Tap the search result to open the user’s profile page. This will allow you to view their videos, follow them, and more.

Searching by username is the fastest way to pull up a specific account you want to find. However, you need to know the exact username to search this way.

Searching by Name or Nickname

If you don’t know a user’s exact username, you can also search for TikTok accounts by name. This looks through usernames, display names, and profile bios to find accounts.

1. Open the TikTok app and tap the search icon.
2. Type the full name or nickname of the user into the search bar.
3. Scroll through the results to find accounts with that name in the username, display name, or bio.
4. Tap a result to open the user’s profile.

Searching TikTok by name allows you to find users even if you only know part of their name. However, common names may bring up many results to sort through.

Searching with a User’s Profile URL

Every TikTok user profile has a unique URL that leads directly to that account page. If you have the profile URL for a specific user, you can enter it directly into the TikTok search bar to pull up their profile.

For example, TikTok’s official account URL is https://www.tiktok.com/@tiktok. Typing this into the search bar will immediately show you the TikTok profile.

Having the exact profile link is an easy way to get to a profile quickly. However, you need to already have the user’s URL to search this way.

Searching Users by Video Content

You can also find TikTok profiles by searching through video content for specific topics, sounds, hashtags, and more. This allows you to discover users who create videos around your interests.

To search by video content:

1. Tap the discover icon on the bottom toolbar of the TikTok app.
2. Browse trending topic pages, hashtags, sounds, and effects.
3. Tap on video results to open the user’s profile who created it.
4. Follow or interact with users who have videos you find interesting.

Searching through tags, topics, and discovery pages lets you find a wider range of accounts tailored to your interests. You can uncover users you may never find otherwise this way.

Using Recommended Accounts

TikTok will recommend accounts for you to follow based on the content you watch and interact with on the app. This provides an easy way to find users without having to search.

To use TikTok’s recommendations:

1. Tap the profile icon in the lower right of the TikTok app.
2. Go to the “Following” feed tab.
3. Scroll down and you will see “Recommended accounts to follow.”
4. Browse the recommended accounts. Tap “Follow” on any you find interesting.

Letting TikTok suggest accounts makes finding new profiles effortless. However, the results may not always match your unique interests.

Searching Verified Accounts

You can specifically search for verified accounts on TikTok, which usually feature celebrities, brands, and other influential profiles.

To search for verified users:

1. Tap the search icon on the toolbar.
2. Type “verified” into the search bar and select the “Accounts” filter.
3. This will display only results for verified profiles. Browse the list of verified accounts.

Searching verified accounts is an easy way to find official brand profiles, famous entertainers, and top creators. It’s a good starting point if you want to follow influential TikTok personalities.

Searching Users by Location

TikTok allows you to find users based on their location information. This allows you to connect with creators in your local area.

To search for users by location:

1. Tap the search icon to open the search page.
2. Tap the “Users” filter at the top.
3. Enter a location like a city, state, or country into the search bar.
4. Browse local accounts in the search results.

Searching by location can help you find TikTok users with local relevance. However, profiles must have location services enabled for this to work.

Searching Fans of a Specific User

If you find a TikTok creator you really like, you can see a list of their followers to find similar accounts to follow.

To find fans of a user:

1. Visit the profile of the TikTok user.
2. Tap the “Followers” number below their bio.
3. This will show you a list of their followers. Browse and follow fans with interesting profiles.

Checking out a user’s followers allows you to target accounts with similar interests. However, some larger accounts may have a less targeted follower base.

Searching Friends from Other Social Networks

If you have friends or connections on other platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat, you may be able to find their TikTok profiles by linking accounts.

To find friends from other apps:

1. Go to your TikTok profile.
2. Tap the three-line menu icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select “Find friends” and choose another social platform.
4. Log in and sync your contacts or friend list from that platform.
5. TikTok will suggest profiles to follow based on your connections.

Finding friends from other networks allows you to make connections between your social accounts. However, your friends will need to have TikTok profiles linked.

Searching with TikTok’s Suggested Users

Along with recommended accounts, TikTok provides a list of suggested users that may interest you while searching. These change based on your search term.

To use suggested users while searching:

1. Tap the search icon to open the TikTok search page.
2. Type any keyword related to your interests into the search bar.
3. Scroll down to the “Suggested Users” section in the results.
4. Tap “Follow” on any profiles that look appealing.

The suggested users list provides Accounts relevant to your search term. However, some suggestions may be unrelated to your specific interests.

Finding Users Through Collaborations

When two TikTok creators film a video together, you can tap on either user in the video post to check out both of their profiles.

To find collaborators:

1. Look for videos that show two or more users together.
2. Tap on the collaborators’ faces when they appear on screen.
3. This will open a profile card with the option to view their account.
4. Follow any new users you find through collaborations.

Seeing who top creators collaborate with can surface new accounts with related interests. However, this only works for users who have posted joint videos.

Searching with Third-Party Websites and Apps

There are many third-party TikTok tools and directories that allow you to search for profiles in different ways. These include sites like TikTok Search or apps like TokPing.

To use third-party search tools:

1. Visit a TikTok search website or download a TikTok search app.
2. Use their customized search features like sorting by followers, engagement, tags, etc.
3. Find and follow interesting profiles surfaced on these platforms.

Third-party tools provide expanded search capabilities for power users. However, some tools may not have access to all profiles and metrics.

Following Hashtags and Challenges

In addition to following individual users, you can also follow hashtags and branded hashtag challenges on TikTok. This surfaces new videos and accounts related to those trends in your Following feed.

To follow tags and challenges:

1. Tap the discover icon on the bottom bar.
2. Search for or find trending hashtag and challenge pages.
3. Tap the “Follow” button on any tag or challenge page.
4. New videos and creators will appear in your Following feed.

Following hashtags is a simple way to keep your feed filled with your interest areas. However, some tags have very broad content.

Searching Your Follower List

Sometimes users you want to find end up following you first. Checking through your own followers can uncover great accounts to follow back.

To search your followers:

1. Go to your profile in TikTok.
2. Tap your “Followers” number.
3. Browse through your current follower list.
4. Tap “Follow Back” on any users you find interesting.

Looking at your followers allows you to find users who already like your content. However, you may have some irrelevant or spam accounts following you.

Searching Private Accounts

By default, TikTok profiles are public so anyone can find and view them. But users can make their accounts private so they can’t be searchable or viewed by new users.

You will not be able to search or find private TikTok profiles unless they already follow you or accept your follow request. To request a private profile:

1. Locate the account URL through a friend or other means.
2. Visit the private profile page and tap “Follow.”
3. If they accept your request, you will then be able to view their profile.

Searching for private users is limited without a confirmed connection. But it allows profiles to control their audience and followers.

Troubleshooting Search Issues

Sometimes your TikTok searches may not work as expected. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:

• Double check spelling and capitalization of usernames and names.
• Simplify broad keywords to make your searches more specific.
• Use multiple search methods to triangulate a user profile.
• Make sure the account you want hasn’t been banned or deactivated.
• Confirm the user you’re searching for has a TikTok account.
• Browse outside of the search bar, in trending pages and hashtags.

With the wide range of search features in the TikTok app, there are many paths that can lead you to great new profiles and creators to follow. Start searching today to expand your TikTok world.