TikTok has exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming one of the most widely used social media platforms. On TikTok, short-form videos are the central focus. Hashtags play an important role on TikTok as they help users find and engage with content. When used strategically, hashtags can help TikTok creators reach a wider audience and increase engagement on their videos.
Hashtags on TikTok function like tags that categorize content and make it discoverable to other users searching for specific topics or keywords. For example, adding #fyp (for you page) or other popular hashtags to a post allows it to appear on TikTok’s main feed where new users can discover it. Including niche or branded hashtags also helps connect with users interested in those specific subjects.
Optimal Number of Hashtags
Research shows that the ideal number of hashtags to use on a TikTok post is between 5-10, with 11 being the max before you risk cluttering your caption. Using too many hashtags can make your caption look messy and spammy. According to a Reddit discussion on hashtag optimization for TikTok, using 5-20 hashtags that target specific keywords relevant to your video can help get your content discovered.
Hashtag expert recommends using no more than 10 hashtags for each TikTok video to maximize reach without going overboard. While there is no strict limit, they advise staying under 11 hashtags due to the character limit on captions. Spreading hashtags throughout your caption instead of bunching them together can also help them stand out more.
An article from Sprout Social suggests using 3-5 branded hashtags and 5-8 niche or trending hashtags per video. staying under 11 total. This provides a mix of discoverability from niche tags and personal branding from custom hashtags.
Why Hashtags Matter
Hashtags are one of the most important elements of creating content on TikTok. Using relevant hashtags can greatly increase the discoverability of your posts and expose them to new audiences. When users search for specific hashtags or topics on TikTok, your content can appear in those search results if you’ve used the relevant tags. According to Hype blog, hashtags serve as a navigation tool for TikTok’s algorithm and users alike. They categorize your content, making it more easily searchable.
Additionally, the more popular a hashtag is, the greater the visibility gains by using it. By including a mix of popular and niche hashtags, you can increase the overall reach of your posts. But hashtags only work when used properly and strategically. That’s why understanding best practices for hashtag usage is key.
Most Popular Hashtags
Some of the most popular hashtags on TikTok based on total views include humor tags like #comedy and #funny, as well as creative tags like #art and #dance (TikTok). Music and entertainment tags like #music, #entertainment, and #viral are also very popular.
When it comes to specific categories, some of the top hashtags include:
- Dance: #dance, #dancer, #dancing
- Comedy: #comedy, #funny, #laugh
- Pets: #dog, #cat, #pet
- Food: #food, #foodie, #cooking
- Beauty: #beauty, #makeup, #hair
- Fitness: #fitness, #workout, #gym
- DIY: #diy, #crafts, #art
Focusing on popular hashtags within your niche can help increase views and engagement. Just make sure to use a mix of broader and more specific tags relevant to your content.
Hashtag Strategies
Choosing the right hashtags is crucial for getting your TikTok videos seen. Here are some tips for developing an effective hashtag strategy:
Focus on specific and niche hashtags rather than only using broad, popular tags. Including some smaller hashtags makes it easier to be discovered in that niche. According to Boosted, you should have a mix of niche and popular hashtags.
Look at what hashtags your competitors or influencers in your niche are using. See which hashtags get traction for similar content to yours.1
Use TikTok’s search tool to find trending hashtags and keywords related to your content.
Create your own unique branded hashtags that only you and your community will use. This helps get your content seen by your existing audience.
Avoid excessive use of completely unrelated hashtags just to try and get more views. This can get your account flagged.
Check hashtag performance analytics to see which hashtags are driving the most engagement for you.
Branded Hashtags
Branded hashtags are a powerful strategy for businesses and creators to build awareness and engagement on TikTok. By creating a unique branded hashtag, you encourage users to create content featuring your brand or product. This generates user-generated content and provides social proof for your brand.
Here are some tips for creating effective branded hashtags:
- Make it short, simple and memorable – Choose something that’s easy to remember and type out. Avoid overly complex or confusing hashtags.
- Include your brand name – Incorporate your brand or product name to make it recognizable.
- Add descriptive keywords – Consider including keywords relevant to your brand, like product benefits or your target audience.
- Use camel case or underscores – Stylize your hashtag in a scannable format like #YourBrandName or #your_brand_name.
- Promote it heavily – Spread awareness of your branded hashtag through your other marketing channels and owned platforms.
- Incentivize usage – Offer rewards or discounts for users who create content featuring your branded hashtag.
As noted in this LinkedIn article, branded hashtags can be “an incredibly effective way to boost awareness, drive engagement and conversations around your brand on TikTok.” Developing a strategic, branded hashtag campaign can significantly expand your reach.
Hashtag Placement
Where you place hashtags in your TikTok captions and comments can impact their effectiveness. The best practice is to put your most important 1-3 branded hashtags at the beginning of your caption, followed by a line break. Then add your descriptive hashtags below your main text copy. You want the main branded hashtags up top to be more visible. According to research from Sprout Social, placing 3-5 relevant hashtags at the end of your caption is optimal.
You can also add relevant hashtags in your TikTok comments to make the video more discoverable. Just make sure not to spam too many in one comment or it will look messy. Recommended best practice is to spread hashtags out over 2-3 comments max.
What to Avoid
When using hashtags on TikTok, it’s important to avoid tactics that could get your account suspended or content removed. Here are some hashtag mistakes to steer clear of:
Spam tags – Flooding your posts with irrelevant hashtags that have nothing to do with your content is considered spammy behavior. Stick to 5-10 relevant hashtags per post.
Banned tags – TikTok prohibits certain hashtags that promote harmful or dangerous behavior. Using these could result in penalties. Consult TikTok’s Community Guidelines to see which hashtags are banned.
Multiple repetitive tags – Repeating the same hashtag multiple times in one caption is seen as tag stuffing. Use each relevant hashtag only once per post.
Unrelated tags – Your hashtags should directly relate to the content being shown. Don’t use completely random or unrelated hashtags just to try and get more views.
Buying tags/followers – Don’t attempt to buy fake views, likes or followers through hashtag services. This violates TikTok’s policies.
The best practice is to use a handful of relevant, high-traffic hashtags per post that directly relate to your content. Avoid anything distracting, misleading or prohibited by TikTok’s policies.
Tools to Find Hashtags
There are a variety of apps and tools that can help you generate hashtag ideas for your TikTok videos. Using a hashtag generator can save you time and provide you with relevant hashtag suggestions based on your niche, keywords, and content. Some popular TikTok hashtag generator tools include:
Hootsuite’s TikTok Hashtag Generator analyzes your video’s topic and keywords to instantly generate hashtag ideas. It also shows you the popularity of each hashtag suggestion.
Ahrefs’ AI TikTok Hashtag Generator uses a language model to study patterns and vocabulary in order to provide relevant hashtag recommendations.
HashtagStack lets you generate trending hashtags based on your niche, without needing to input keywords. It draws from a large database of popular TikTok hashtags.
These types of tools can provide great inspiration when trying to find the right mix of popular and niche hashtags to use in your captions. Just be sure not to over-rely on them – always double check that the suggested hashtags make sense for your specific video content.
Conclusion
When using hashtags on TikTok, the key is finding the right balance. You’ll want to include enough relevant hashtags so your content can be discovered, but not so many that your post looks spammy. The ideal number of hashtags is 5-10, unless it’s a branded hashtag challenge which may require more. Focus on targeting hashtags with between 100,000 and 1 million views. Mix broader and more niche hashtags, and capitalize on trending themes and keywords. Try using one or two branded hashtags to get involved in popular trends. Make sure to space out hashtags so they don’t clutter up your caption, and write a clear, informative caption to go along with them. Most importantly, craft high quality content that provides unique value to viewers. The right content will spread organically with just a few strategic hashtags.
