TikTok has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, becoming one of the most widely used social media platforms globally. With over 1 billion monthly active users as of 2022, TikTok’s userbase has grown at an astonishing rate (source). The app allows users to create and share short videos, with content ranging from dances and comedy to educational topics. Thanks to its powerful algorithm, TikTok makes it easy for videos to go viral and gain huge viewership.
With such a large userbase, many people are interested in finding new accounts to follow on TikTok. There are several ways to search for and discover new followers, which can help expand your reach and viewership. Building a strong follower base is key for creators looking to gain more visibility and grow their audience. This guide will explore the different methods available for searching and finding followers on TikTok.
Viewing Your Own Followers
To view your own followers on TikTok, simply tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the app. This will bring you to your profile page. Tap on the “Followers” tab at the top of your profile to see the full list of accounts following you.
By default, your follower list is sorted with your newest followers at the top. You can tap the filter icon in the top right corner while viewing your followers list to change how it’s sorted. Options include sorting by newest followers, accounts you don’t follow back, accounts you interact with the most, verified accounts, and suggested accounts to follow based on who follows you.
Additionally, you can use the search bar at the top of your followers list to look up specific followers by username. This allows you to easily find and view any follower’s profile.
Searching Users by Username
One of the easiest ways to find followers on TikTok is by searching for a specific username. To search for a user, tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the app. Then type the exact username into the search bar and tap “Search”. TikTok will show you the account’s profile, videos, and other details.
When trying to find a certain user, make sure you have the exact spelling of their username. TikTok usernames are case-sensitive, meaning “JohnDoe” is different than “johndoe”. You can search both usernames to see if the account exists on TikTok. If you only know part of the username, TikTok’s search will try to autocomplete and suggest accounts.
Check any social media profiles the person uses to find their official TikTok username. You can also try searching variations like adding their real name or searching their handle from other platforms like “@JohnDoe” or “@JohnDoeYT”. According to TikTok’s Help Center, typing their name may surface their account in results.
Once you locate the account, you can follow them and view their list of followers. Tap on the username and go to their profile page. Scroll down and tap “Followers” to see the full list of users following that account. This allows you to discover new people through shared interests.
Using Hashtags to Find Followers
One of the easiest ways to find TikTok followers is by using popular hashtags that are known to attract engaged users. Some of the most common hashtags for gaining followers are:
- #fyp – Short for “For You Page,” this hashtag helps videos get onto more users’ For You feeds.
- #FollowForFollow – Using this hashtag indicates you will follow back users who follow you.
To leverage these types of hashtags:
- Go to the Discover page and tap on the Search bar.
- Type in a popular follower hashtag like #fyp or #FollowForFollow.
- Filter the results using the buttons at the top. For example, filter by “Accounts” to only see users.
- Browse the profiles that appear and tap “Follow” on any users you want to follow.
The more videos you post using high-reach hashtags, the more chances you have of gaining relevant followers. You can also search for niche hashtags related to your content to connect with users interested in your niche.
Leveraging Recommended/Suggested Users
TikTok has a “Suggested Users” section that recommends accounts you may want to follow based on your interests and interactions. The algorithm analyzes who you currently follow, what content you watch, like, and engage with to suggest new, relevant accounts.
Following and interacting with these recommended accounts is a great way to find users who are likely to follow you back. When you follow, like, comment on, duet, or stitch videos from suggested users, it signals to the algorithm that you have similar interests. This makes it more likely your account will in turn be suggested to them.
Regularly checking the Suggested Users section and engaging with those accounts helps you connect with an audience that enjoys your niche. Building relationships with them can lead to collaborations, cross-promotions, and organic follower growth over time.
For more tips, see this video explaining how to leverage TikTok’s recommendations.
Finding Followers of Similar Accounts
One way to find more followers who are likely to be interested in your content is to browse the followers of accounts that post similar content to yours. Here are some tips for leveraging this method:
First, identify 5-10 accounts that regularly share content in the same niche or industry as your TikTok account. Use TikTok’s search feature to find relevant hashtags and sounds, and browse videos using those filters to discover accounts. You can also check the “Liked” tabs on accounts you already follow for inspiration.
Once you’ve found similar accounts, visit their profiles and tap on the “Followers” number. This will bring up a list of users who follow that account. Browse through the list and look for accounts that seem like a good fit for your target audience. Follow accounts that catch your eye so you can engage with them.
Following fans of similar accounts can be an effective way to connect with users who are likely to appreciate the type of content you share. As you engage with them, some will follow you back, growing your audience of niche-specific followers.
You can also use third-party tools like HypeAuditor’s TikTok comparison tool to analyze how your account stacks up against competitors in your space. This can help you identify accounts to learn from and potentially attract fans from.
Connecting Through Collabs
Collaboration is one of the most effective ways to broaden your TikTok reach and gain followers. By partnering with other creators, you open up access to each other’s audiences. Here are some tips for collaborating with other TikTok users:
Reach out to creators who share a similar niche or audience as you to collaborate on content. Try commenting on their videos to start a conversation. You can also message them directly if you want to keep the discussion private. Look for creators with engaged followers and similarities in content style.
When planning collabs, come up with creative content ideas together that combine both of your styles. This makes the content fresh and helps draw mutual fans. Choose a trending sound, challenge, or meme to base the collab around. Film the collab and evenly split it between both accounts.
Cross-promote the collab content across both accounts. Share the collab video and encourage your followers to check out the other creator. This exposure helps gain new followers from each other’s fanbase. According to one source, partnering with creators who share your target audience is an impactful way to expand your reach.
Schedule a series of collab videos to continuously exchange audiences. Consistent partnerships lead to ongoing follower growth between accounts. Make sure to collaborate with a variety of creators to expose your content to new communities. Strategic collaborations give both partners access to fresh audiences and the chance to gain authentic followers.
Cross-Promoting From Other Platforms
One great way to drive traffic and gain followers on TikTok is by promoting your account on other social platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc. Leverage your existing follower base on those platforms by doing shoutouts to your TikTok account and encouraging people to check it out.
For example, in Instagram Stories or feed posts, you can say “Check out my new TikTok channel! Link is in my bio.” On YouTube, add a note in your video descriptions and comment section pointing viewers to your TikTok. Twitter is another great platform for cross-promotion by tweeting out your TikTok username and compelling content to watch.
The key is enticing your followers on those platforms to view your TikTok by showing them they can expect more great content. Give them a reason to make the switch over. You can also do collaborations with influencers in your niche and cross-promote each other’s TikTok accounts to tap into new audiences.
Driving external traffic sources to your TikTok is a proven way to attract real, engaged followers. So utilize your other social profiles to highlight your TikTok presence. Just make sure your content is captivating so those visitors convert to followers once they check you out on TikTok.
Paid Ads for Follower Growth
One of the quickest ways to gain more followers on TikTok is through paid advertising campaigns. TikTok offers several ad options specifically designed to help you grow your follower count, including Follower Ads and In-Feed Video Views.
Follower Ads allow you to set a campaign objective of gaining more followers. These ads display your profile information and prompt users to follow you. According to research, Follower Ads have high conversion rates for accumulating new followers. You can target your ads using interests, demographics, devices, and other filters to reach your ideal audience.
In-Feed Video View ads also provide follower growth. These ads play your TikTok before other videos. They contain a strong call-to-action for users to check out your profile and follow you after viewing your content. Targeting video views to accounts likely to engage with you can net new followers.
Best practices for running successful follower campaigns include:
– Creating compelling ads showcasing your best content
– Using attractive display assets that visually represent your brand
– Targeting relevant interests and demographics aligned with your niche
– Testing different audiences, creatives, and placements
– Closely monitoring performance and optimizing based on results
– Retargeting engaged users from other campaigns
– Promoting consistently to maintain momentum
With the right strategy, paid TikTok ads can be an effective way to boost your follower count and expand your reach.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many ways to find and grow your follower count on TikTok. Reviewing your existing followers, leveraging hashtags, connecting with similar accounts, promoting across platforms, and running ads can all help expand your reach. However, it’s important not to get caught up in chasing follower counts alone. Producing creative, engaging content tailored to your target audience should be the primary focus. Quality content that provides value for viewers will organically attract an authentic follower base over time. While growing your follower count may seem tempting, any tactics that artificially inflate your followers through bots or buying fake engagement go against TikTok’s community guidelines and should be avoided. Stay true to your brand voice, make content you’re proud of, focus on building genuine connections, and your follower count will grow as a natural result.
