TikTok is a popular short-form video sharing app that allows users to create and share 15 second to 3 minute videos. The app was launched in September 2016 by ByteDance, and has quickly grown to become one of the most downloaded apps in the world with over 1 billion monthly active users as of 2022.
One of the key features of TikTok is the ability to search for videos using keywords or hashtags. Users can enter a search term into the search bar at the top of the app and TikTok will display results based on matching video captions, sounds, and hashtags. This allows users to easily find and view videos related to topics they are interested in.
This article will provide an overview of how to search for and view videos you have previously searched for on TikTok.
Searching for Videos
To search for videos on TikTok, you first need to access the search bar at the top of the app. The search bar is prominently located at the top of the For You feed and most other pages on TikTok.
Simply tap on the search bar and a keyboard will appear so you can type in your desired keywords. You can search for specific sounds, hashtags, effects, or general topics.
According to @creatorsbycass, some tips for effective keyword searching include:
- Using relevant hashtags like #fyp or #foryoupage to find trending videos
- Searching broader topics rather than specific phrases
- Trying different keyword combinations and spellings
The search bar allows you to easily find videos on any topic you want to see more of on TikTok.
Viewing Search Results
When you search for a term or hashtag on TikTok, it will display a page with video results related to your query. This search results page shows a feed of videos similar to your For You page, except tailored to your specific search.
At the top, you’ll see the search term or hashtag you entered. Below that are filters to narrow down the results, such as selecting videos, live videos, users, or hashtags. You can also filter by category like gaming or beauty. On the right side are options to sort the results by relevance, newest, oldest, or number of likes.
As you scroll down, you’ll see a vertical feed of video results. Each video preview shows the creator name, caption, number of likes, comments, shares, and video length. You can tap on any video to open and watch it. The search feed goes on infinitely as you scroll.
If you want to refine the results further, you can edit the search term or add more keywords. TikTok will update the results page accordingly. You can also tap on related hashtags or sounds from the results to open those feeds. Using search is a great way to find new videos and creators to follow based on your interests.
Tapping on a Video
When you tap on a video from the search results, it will open up and begin playing automatically in the video viewer. The video page has several options you can use:
- Tap anywhere on the video to pause/play it or drag the slider to scrub through the video.
- Double tap either side of the video to like or tap the heart icon.
- Tap the comment icon to view or add comments.
- Tap the share icon to share the video via messages, email, or to other apps.
- Swipe up to see more suggested videos or down to close the video.
You can also follow the video creator by tapping their profile picture or username. This allows you to see more of their content in your Following feed. The icons along the bottom allow you to quickly switch between the For You, Following, Inbox, and Profile tabs as you view videos.
Liking and Following Video Creators
If you find a video creator you enjoy during your search, you can like and follow them directly from the search results. When viewing the search results, tap on the profile picture of the video creator. This will open their profile page. On their profile, tap the “+”Follow” button to follow them. Following a creator will make their new videos show up in your “Following” feed. You can also tap the heart icon next to their username or video thumbnail to like their video. Liking a video helps the creator and shows your appreciation for their content.
To quickly follow or like several creators and videos from your search results, tap and hold on a video thumbnail or profile picture. This will open a menu where you can tap “Like” or “Follow”. This lets you easily follow or show support for multiple creators you discovered during your search.
Sources:
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/how-to-find-a-tiktoker-you-watched-by-date
https://www.tiktok.com/find/how-to-check-how-many-account-have-reached-you
Reposting Videos
One of the easiest ways to share videos you find in TikTok search is by reposting them. Reposting allows you to quickly share a video to your own profile without having to download and re-upload it. To repost a video from search:
1. Open the TikTok app and find a video you want to repost either through search or your For You feed.
2. Tap on the Share icon (it looks like an arrow pointing to the right).
3. Choose the “Repost” option.
4. You can add a caption or stickers if you want, then tap the “Post” button.
The video will now be shared to your profile as a repost. People viewing your profile can tap on it to watch the full original video. You can make your reposts public or private in your TikTok settings. Reposting is a fast and easy way to share videos you find in TikTok search to your own profile and followers.
Commenting
Once you find a video you like in the search results, you can leave a comment directly on that video. To comment:
- Tap on the video thumbnail to open it.
- Scroll down below the video to the comments section.
- Tap on the “Add comment…” box to bring up the keyboard.
- Type your comment and tap “Post” to submit it.
Your comment will now appear below the video for all viewers to see. You can tap the heart icon next to your comment to “like” it. Other users can also like and reply to your comment, creating an ongoing conversation.
If you want to reply to someone else’s comment, simply tap the “Reply” link under their comment and type your response. Replying directly to another user’s comment will notify them that you have responded.
For more tips on crafting great TikTok comments that spark engagement, check out this helpful guide: https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-comments/
Saving and Sharing
There are a few ways to save TikTok videos for later or share them outside of the app with friends:
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Tapping the share icon allows you to send a video via text, email, or social media apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc. You can also copy the video link to paste anywhere.
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Tapping the bookmark icon saves the video to your “Liked Videos” section so you can easily find it later. You can view all your liked videos by going to your profile and selecting the “Liked” tab.
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The TikTok app has a built-in “Save to device” option to download videos right to your camera roll. Tap the share icon and select “Save video” to save a copy to your phone.
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You can also use third party apps like TikTok Save and Share to conveniently download or repost videos.
Sharing and saving options allow you to easily find, organize and distribute TikTok videos outside of the platform. Just tap the share icon on any video to access the different ways to save or share content.
Viewing Related Videos
After watching a video on TikTok that you searched for, you may want to discover more videos like it. TikTok makes this easy by showing you related videos on the right side of the screen while you’re watching a video.
These related videos are selected based on similarity to the video you’re currently watching. This includes factors like sounds, effects, hashtags, captions, and the overall theme or topic of the video.
To view the related videos, simply tap on any video thumbnail on the right side of your screen. This will automatically start playback of that video.
You can also scroll down to view more recommended videos below the current video. This allows you to go down a “rabbit hole” of discovering new videos that are similar to the original one you searched for.
If you find a related video you really like, you can like, comment, share, or save it to your Favorites. This helps the TikTok algorithm learn your tastes and recommend even better content over time.
Overall, related videos are a great way to watch more of what you love on TikTok. It’s an easy route to new discoveries and entertainment just a tap away.
Summary
In summary, searching for and viewing videos you’ve previously watched on TikTok is easy. Just tap the search icon in the bottom navigation bar and enter keywords related to the video. This will pull up a list of results – scroll through to find the video you’re looking for. When you see the video you want, simply tap on it to open and watch it again. You can also like, comment on, share, and save videos for later viewing. Reposting them is another way to keep favorite videos handy. TikTok’s Recommended feed will display similar videos you may enjoy watching next. Following these steps makes it simple to re-watch entertaining videos you’ve searched for previously on TikTok.
