TikTok has exploded in popularity over the past few years, becoming one of the most used social media platforms in the world. As of 2022, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users (https://www.ecwid.com/blog/what-is-tiktok.html). With so many videos being uploaded every day, users are constantly looking for new and entertaining content. One of the best features of TikTok is the ability to easily find similar videos to ones you have liked. TikTok’s recommendation algorithm is very effective at serving users more of what they like to watch. There are several ways you can find similar TikTok videos, including searching by sounds, hashtags, effects, and looking at what pops up on your “For You” page. This guide will overview the main methods for finding more videos like ones you’ve enjoyed on TikTok.
Search by Sounds
One of the most popular ways to find similar videos on TikTok is by searching through sounds. TikTok allows you to tap on the sound icon on any video to see other videos using that same sound. This makes it easy to find a huge collection of videos using trending sounds and music. Often the same sound will be used across thousands of different TikToks as part of a viral trend or meme. By tapping on a sound you like, you can scroll through an endless feed of other videos featuring it.
Songs and sounds often define trends on TikTok. Using viral sounds is one of the easiest ways for creators to make their content relatable and potentially reach new audiences already interested in that sound. Whether it’s the latest pop song or a funny sound bite, exploring by sound is a great way to find more videos you’ll probably enjoy.
According to Wordstream, “Speaking of trending sounds, sound is a key part of the TikTok experience. In fact, many users create videos specifically for the purpose of participating in trends featuring popular sounds.” Tapping into trending sounds can help you join viral moments on TikTok.
Search by Hashtags
One of the easiest ways to find similar videos on TikTok is by searching hashtags. Hashtags help connect users with content that is relevant to their interests, and they can be an invaluable tool for discovering new videos.
When you tap on a hashtag in a video’s caption, TikTok will pull up a page showing other videos using that same hashtag. This makes it easy to explore similar content. For example, tapping on #dance will show you other dance videos, while #cooking will display cooking videos.
You can also search hashtags directly. Just tap the search bar at the top of the app and type in a relevant hashtag. This will show the top videos using that hashtag. The more popular a hashtag is, the more potential videos there are to discover.
Following hashtags is another great option. This will add videos with that hashtag to your “For You” page. So if you follow #cats, your feed will start recommending funny cat videos for you to watch.
Leveraging hashtags is one of the most effective ways to connect with videos similar to the ones you already enjoy on TikTok. Pay attention to the hashtags used by creators you like and tap through to find more of the same content.
Follow and Like Accounts
One way to find similar videos on TikTok is by engaging with accounts that post content you’re interested in. The TikTok algorithm closely monitors the accounts you follow and interact with to determine your preferences. According to sources, TikTok’s recommendations are based in part on “accounts and hashtags you follow.”
When you like, comment on, share, or otherwise positively engage with a particular account’s videos, you’re signaling to TikTok you want to see more of that type of content. TikTok will then recommend more videos from that account and similar accounts in your Following and For You feeds. This is one of the most effective ways to find more videos that align with your interests.
So if you want to see more funny pet videos, follow and engage with pet accounts. If you like DIY tutorials, find and interact with users who post that type of content. Spend time fully watching and liking videos from the accounts you want to see more content from. The TikTok algorithm will take note and customize your recommendations.
According to sources, TikTok’s algorithm considers “interests you express as a new user,” so the accounts you choose to follow and engage with early on will significantly shape the recommendations TikTok serves you later.
Use Discover
One of the easiest ways to find similar videos on TikTok is by using the Discover tab. The Discover tab allows you to browse through popular and trending content on TikTok. When you open the Discover tab, you’ll see different categories like Popular, Trending, Sounds, Hashtags, etc.
If you find a video you like, tap on the sound associated with it. This will take you to a page showing you other videos using the same sound. You can scroll through and watch similar videos that use that sound. The Discover tab is great for finding new trends and viral sounds.
You can also tap on trending hashtags in the Discover tab. This lets you view other videos using that hashtag, which is another easy way to find more videos similar to what you’ve watched. Take advantage of the Discover tab to stay on top of what’s popular on TikTok right now.
Search Videos
One of the easiest ways to find similar videos on TikTok is by using the built-in search feature. Simply tap on the search bar at the top of the app and type in keywords related to the video you’re looking for.
For example, if you just watched a satisfying slime mixing video, you could search for terms like “slime”, “slime mixing”, “slime tutorial”, “oddly satisfying slime”, etc. This will pull up other popular slime videos. You can also search for more generic terms like “oddly satisfying”, “satisfying videos”, or “viral videos” to find other trends and looks similar to what you’ve liked.
TikTok’s search algorithm is quite advanced and will try to show you results based on videos you’ve previously engaged with as well as what’s currently popular on the platform (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/how-tiktok-recommends-videos-for-you). So make sure to use very specific keywords related to the video you have in mind to get the best results.
The TikTok search feature makes it super easy to quickly find more videos just like the ones you enjoy watching. Start typing in descriptive keywords and scroll through the results until you locate similar content.
Check Your FYP
One of the best ways to find similar videos on TikTok is to scroll through your FYP page. The FYP, which stands for “For You Page,” is a personalized feed of videos tailored to each user’s interests (Source: https://buffer.com/social-media-terms/fyp”). When you first open the TikTok app, the FYP is the default page you see.
Because the FYP is customized based on your watch history and engagement, it will surface videos similar to what you typically watch. So scroll through your FYP and pay attention to sounds, effects, hashtags and creators of any videos you find intriguing. You can then search for those specific elements to find more videos like them. The TikTok algorithm aims to show you more content that aligns with your interests, so thoroughly exploring your FYP is a great way to discover similar videos.
Use Effects
One way to find similar videos on TikTok is by searching for effects used in videos you like. TikTok has a huge library of visual effects and filters that creators can add to their videos. When you find a video using a unique effect, you can click on the effect icon to bring up the effect details. This will show you the effect name and hashtag. You can then search for that effect hashtag to find other videos using the same effect.
For example, say you find a video you love that uses the “Shimmer” effect created by TikTok’s Effect House. You can click on the sparkle icon in the video to see that the effect is called “Shimmer.” Searching the hashtag #Shimmer will then display lots of other videos using that same effect. This allows you to easily discover new videos and creators by browsing what other videos used that same effect.
TikTok is constantly releasing new effects through Effect House and other creators. So using effects is a great way to stay on top of the latest video styles and trends. It’s an easy shortcut to find videos similar to ones you already enjoy without having to scroll endlessly through FYP or hashtags.
Look at Sounds
One way to find similar videos on TikTok is to browse through trending and popular sounds. TikTok has an extensive music library that serves as the soundtrack for many videos. According to this article, TikTok’s Commercial Music Library contains over one million songs and sounds for brands and creators to use.
To browse sounds, tap the discover icon on the bottom toolbar in the app. This will bring you to the Sounds page. Here you can scroll through trending and popular sounds. Tapping on a sound will show you a feed of videos using that sound. This allows you to easily find other videos that have similar audio. It’s a great way to discover new content creators and videos around sounds you enjoy.
Conclusion
There are several ways to find similar videos on TikTok. The main methods are searching by sounds, hashtags, effects, and accounts you follow or like. TikTok’s recommendation algorithm also surfaces similar content in your For You feed based on your interactions. Some key points:
- Search for sounds used in videos to find other videos with the same music or audio
- Look up hashtags used by creators to discover more videos on that topic
- Follow and like accounts posting content you enjoy to get more of that type of video recommended
- Use Discover and search features to explicitly look for certain types of videos
- Pay attention to your For You page recommendations, as these are tailored to your interests
- Check out the effects used in videos you like to find more videos with similar effects
By leveraging these methods, you can easily find more videos on TikTok that are similar to content you already enjoy watching and interacting with.