Searching on TikTok can be challenging since it has a different interface and algorithms compared to other social media platforms. However, with some tips and tricks, you can become an effective searcher on TikTok in no time. Here are the top strategies for searching and discovering content efficiently on TikTok.
Use Hashtags
Hashtags are essential for searching on TikTok. Unlike other platforms where hashtags are optional, hashtags are required for every TikTok video. So take advantage of hashtags to find specific topics and trends you’re interested in.
Start by searching for broad hashtags like #cooking or #dance to see top videos in those categories. Then narrow it down by searching more niche hashtags like #bakingtips or #hiphopdance. Following niche hashtags is a great way to get ultra-targeted video recommendations on your For You page.
You can also search hashtags by popularity to find trending challenges and viral videos. Searching top hashtags like #fyp and #fortnite will display videos with the most views and engagement. Checking top hashtags frequently can help you stay on top of the latest TikTok trends.
Use the Search Bar
TikTok has a magnifying glass search bar at the top of the app where you can search for specific keywords, sounds, hashtags, or users. This is useful for directly searching a term rather than wasting time browsing hashtags.
For example, searching for “baking” will show baking-related videos, searching for a sound will display videos using that song or audio clip, and searching a username like @gordonramsay will pull up that user’s videos. Use quotes around search terms for more accurate results.
The search bar autocompletes terms as you type so you can see what’s currently popular to search. Tap the search icon while watching a video to easily search for that sound or hashtag.
Follow Hashtags and Users
One of the best TikTok search tips is to follow hashtags and users you like. Following a hashtag will deliver more videos with that hashtag right to your For You page. And following users will add their new videos to your feed.
Browse top videos in your niche and tap the profile icons or hashtags to follow them. You can follow up to 300 hashtags and thousands of users. TikTok will study who you follow to better tailor your For You page over time.
Check your Following list to manage which hashtags and users you currently follow. Unfollow ones that are cluttering your feed or follow new ones you’ve discovered.
Look Through Sounds
Trending sounds are a huge part of TikTok, and browsing through popular sounds is a tactic for finding viral videos using that music or clip. Tap the “Discover” icon and select “Sounds” to explore trending and top sounds.
This will display sounds along with related hashtags and a preview of videos using that sound. Tap a sound to view the full videos utilizing it. Following trending sounds can help you quickly make videos using viral music.
You can also search for specific sounds or songs using the search bar. Or access sounds from a video by tapping the sound name on the bottom.
Check Out Trending Videos
Your TikTok home page shows you videos based on your interests, but you can specifically view trending content. Tap the “Discover” icon and select “Trending” to browse the currently most popular TikTok videos and challenges.
The Trending section has playlists like “Trending on TikTok now” for the hottest videos being shared at the moment. There are also playlists for top videos in certain categories like food, beauty, or comedy.
Watching trending videos allows you to see what challenges and memes are blowing up so you can try them for yourself. It’s also a quick way to find new accounts and sounds to follow.
Browse by Category
Along with Trending, the Discover section has categories that make it easy to dive into different video genres. Select “Categories” after tapping Discover to browse categories.
Categories include Gaming, Fashion & Beauty, Sports, DIY & Cooking, and more. Each category features playlists of popular sounds, hashtags, and videos tailored to that niche. It’s an easy route to go down the rabbit hole in a certain topic.
Following categories you like will populate your For You feed with relevant videos. And it helps the algorithm better understand your interests to recommend even more niche content.
Use Effects
TikTok has tons of fun AR effects that creators use in videos, and you can actually search by effect. Tap the Discover icon, choose Effects, and browse through popular effects.
Selecting an effect will show videos that have used that effect. This lets you find the trending meme effects and funny face filters taking over TikTok. You can also tap the effect name on a video to search that effect.
Trying out viral effects on your own videos can help them get more visibility. So browsing effects is a way to both find and create popular content.
Look at LIVE Videos
TikTok has a LIVE feature where creators stream in real-time just like Instagram or Facebook. And LIVE videos are searchable through the Discover section.
Tap the LIVE tab in Discover to browse current popular livestreams. You can scroll through recommended live videos or search for certain creators, hashtags, or topics that may be streaming.
Going LIVE is a popular way for creators to engage with followers in real-time. So it can be worthwhile to search LIVE videos from your favorite accounts or on trending topics.
Utilize Recommendations
One of the core parts of TikTok is the “For You” page with recommended videos based on your interactions. The key is to actively engage with videos to get your For You page fine-tuned to your interests.
Be sure to Like videos, Follow accounts, Share with friends, and Comment your thoughts. Tapping through and watching videos fully also signals to the algorithm what you like. This trains your For You page to become a personalized video feed.
In a way, the For You page does the hard work of searching for you! But you have to put the effort in first through your engagement. Eventually, the recommendation algorithm will deliver a constant stream of content you love.
Make Use of Playlists
TikTok has a playlist feature that allows you to organize and save videos into themed collections. You can create playlists around sounds, hashtags, effects, or any topic.
Browse videos and tap the “+” icon on a video to add it to an existing playlist or create a new one. The playlist tab in your profile stores all your collections.
Playlists let you bookmark videos on specific searches so you can easily access them later. You can also use playlists to get video ideas in certain niches or share collections with friends.
Follow Trending Challenges
Challenges go viral quickly on TikTok, with users posting response videos to popular prompts. Stay on top of trends by checking the Discover tab for featured challenges.
The Challenges section highlights current popular challenges with related hashtags and sounds. Tap into trending challenges to get inspiration for fun videos to create.
You can also search challenge hashtags or sounds directly in the search bar. But the Challenges tab gives a centralized place to stay updated on the latest viral challenges.
Search Other Users’ LIkes
An underused tactic is looking through other popular users’ Liked videos. See what content they enjoy watching for video ideas and accounts to follow.
On a user’s profile, tap the video icon to view their Liked videos. Diving into Likes from creators in your niche can surface new hashtags, sounds, and engaging video styles.
It’s an easy way to discover videos and creators that align with your interests. You never know what hidden gems you’ll find in the Liked videos of those you follow.
Use External Tools
While TikTok’s internal search works well, you can also utilize third-party tools to enhance searching. Sites like TokBoard, TokSearch and TokMetrics let you search by niche hashtags, users, sounds, and more.
These tools surface trending search terms and allow advanced filtering like video duration, number of likes, date range, and video orientation. Some also provide analytics on top-performing videos.
While not critical, external search tools give added capabilities to dive deep into niche TikTok content and trends. They complement TikTok’s own search features.
Search Other Social Media
Lastly, don’t forget to search other social platforms like Instagram or Twitter to find creators and trends to follow on TikTok.
Many accounts are active across multiple apps. So if you find popular users in your niche on other social media, search their names on TikTok to see if they have an account.
Cross-platform searching helps you discover new TikTok creators that already have an audience. And checking hashtags and trends on various apps can reveal ideas for videos and challenges.
The Takeaway
Searching on TikTok requires using unique tools like hashtags, sounds, and effects to their full potential. But combining both in-app search features with outside tactics provides the best ability to research trends and accounts.
The more time you spend actively engaging with videos that interest you, the better your For You page will become. Soon, TikTok’s recommendation algorithm will deliver all the content you love without having to search!
