TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps in the world, with over 1 billion monthly active users (https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/tiktok-algorithm). The app allows users to create and share short videos, often set to music. Thanks to its powerful recommendation algorithm, TikTok is extremely effective at showing users content that interests them.
The TikTok algorithm analyzes each user’s interests based on factors like video watches, likes, shares, comments, and searches. It then recommends videos it thinks each user will enjoy. This personalized feed is called the “For You” page (https://influencermarketinghub.com/tiktok-algorithm/).
This guide will provide an overview of the various ways to search for videos on TikTok. It covers searching by keywords, sounds, hashtags, creators, effects, and more. The goal is to help users discover new videos and creators that match their interests.
Searching by Keywords
One of the easiest ways to find videos on TikTok is by using keywords in the search bar at the top of the app. To search, simply tap on the search bar and type in a relevant keyword or phrase. The app will instantly pull up results related to your query.
When choosing keywords, think about words and phrases that are commonly associated with or used to describe the type of content you’re looking for. For example, some popular keywords include:
- Dance challenges like #dontrushchallenge
- Viral sounds like #ohnotheydidnt
- Popular creators like @charlidamelio or @addisonre
- Funny phrases like #lifehacks
The key is to use very specific words or short phrases that you think would be commonly used in captions, hashtags or sounds associated with the TikTok videos you want to find. Start general at first if you aren’t sure, and then refine and narrow down your keywords for better results.
Searching by sounds
To find videos using a specific sound or song on TikTok, click on the Discover tab and select Sounds at the top. Here you can browse trending sounds that are being used in popular TikTok videos. When you select a sound, you’ll see a feed of videos using that song or audio clip.
You can also search for a specific sound or song using the search bar at the top. Type in a song title, artist name, or other keywords related to the sound you’re looking for. TikTok will show results for sounds matching your search query.
On individual TikTok videos, the sound being used is always credited at the bottom of the video. Tap on the song title or “Original sound” to be redirected to the sound page showing you other TikToks using the same audio.
Some examples of viral TikTok sounds include hits like “Oh No” by Capone, “Say So” by Doja Cat, and the “Mmm whatcha say” sound. TikTok creators have used these popular sounds to make their own interpretations in millions of videos (Source). Sounds become trending on TikTok when lots of videos utilize the same song or audio clip, sparking a viral trend.
Searching by Hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to find videos on TikTok based on specific topics or themes. They allow you to easily search and discover content, and are also important for creators who want their videos seen by people interested in the hashtag topic. Understanding how hashtags work can help you better leverage them.
Some best practices for using hashtags on TikTok include:
- Use a mix of niche and trending hashtags – try combining 4-6 broader hashtags with a few very niche ones relevant to your content
- Don’t just use irrelevant popular tags – make sure the hashtags truly relate to your video
- Do hashtag research to find both trending and niche options to experiment with
- Track performance to identify which hashtags best help your content get discovered
According to SproutSocial, some of the most popular hashtags on TikTok include:[1]
- #fyp
- #foryou
- #foryoupage
- #viral
- #tiktok
Leveraging the right mix of hashtags for your content and niche can be key for getting discovered on TikTok.
Following Creators and Sounds
One of the best ways to discover new videos on TikTok is by following creators and popular sounds. TikTok’s recommendation algorithm looks at who and what you follow to serve up relevant content. By following creators who make videos you enjoy, you’ll start seeing more of their content and videos like theirs on your For You feed.
To follow a creator, tap on their profile picture anywhere you see their videos or profile pop up. This will take you to their profile page. Tap the “+” follow button to follow them. You can also follow creators directly from their profile by searching for their username.
Following popular sounds is another great way to get recommendations. TikTok tracks which sounds are trending and uses that signal to recommend videos using viral sounds. When you’re watching a video, tap on the sound name at the bottom to go to the sound page. Follow the sound by tapping the “+” button. Following trending sounds like this is an easy way to stay on top of what’s popular on TikTok.
Overall, leveraging TikTok’s algorithm by following creators and sounds you love will lead to a more tailored For You page with content you actually want to see. It’s one of the most effective ways to improve your experience and discover new videos on TikTok (Source: https://screenrant.com/tiktok-algorithm-explained-for-you-fyp/).
Using the Discover Page
The Discover page on TikTok is designed to help you find new and trending content. It’s similar to the Explore page on Instagram. The Discover tab shows you popular hashtags, sounds, effects, and recommended accounts to follow based on your interests.
When you open the Discover tab, you’ll see rows of trending hashtags and sounds. Tapping on a hashtag brings up a page showing top videos using that hashtag. This makes it easy to find viral trends and browse content about certain topics. Some trending hashtags like #fyp (for you page) have billions of views.
The Discover page also recommends accounts to follow. These suggestions are tailored to your likes and engagement. Following topic-specific accounts like #cooking or #art is a great way to fill up your For You page with certain types of videos.
Overall, leveraging the Discover and search tools allows you to shape the content you see on TikTok. You can find videos about hobbies, entertainment, or anything else you’re interested in by browsing popular hashtags and sounds.
Leveraging recommendations
TikTok’s algorithm is constantly learning about your interests based on how you engage with content to tailor recommendations just for you. The “For You” page shows videos curated to match your tastes and preferences. You can help tune the algorithm by actively indicating what you like and want to see more of.
Liking videos you enjoy and following creators you like are simple yet powerful ways to improve your recommendations. Tapping the heart icon is an explicit signal to TikTok that you want to see more similar content. Commenting on videos can also help surface related videos. The more you proactively engage with content tailored for you, the better TikTok gets at serving up recommendations you’ll love.
While watching videos, be sure to pay attention to the sidebar recommendations as well. Related hashtags and sounds are displayed that you can tap to find additional videos using the same. The “Recommended” section also provides a convenient way to discover videos and creators you may be interested in based on what you’re currently viewing.
Searching within profiles
If you want to find videos from a specific creator you already follow on TikTok, an easy way is to search directly within their profile. This allows you to explore their content library and surface old videos you may have missed.
To search within a profile on TikTok:
- Go to the profile of the creator you want to search.
- Tap the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of their profile.
- Type in keywords related to what you’re looking for from that creator.
For example, if you follow a food blogger you love, you can search “baking” or “dessert recipes” in their profile to find those specific videos. This is an easy way to rediscover and watch videos from creators you already like and follow.
According to TikTok’s help center, searching within profiles allows you to “find specific videos from the accounts you follow.” So if you want to dig into a certain creator’s archive, searching their profile is the best way to do it.
Using effects and filters
One way to search for videos on TikTok is by leveraging the platform’s huge library of effects and filters. Many creators use unique effects or filters to give their videos a certain aesthetic or vibe. You can search for videos using a specific effect or filter to find content with a consistent style.
To search by effects or filters, first you’ll need to find the name of the effect or filter you want to search for. When viewing a video, the effect or filter name is displayed above the username. Tap on the name to open the effect/filter page, where you can see other videos using that effect as well as search for it (Source).
Once you know the exact name of an effect or filter, you can search for it using keywords. Trying searching “videos with [effect name]” or “#[effect name]” to populate results using that effect. You can also search within the Discover and Sounds pages for specific effects.
Get creative with leveraging effects in your searches. For example, search for “cooking videos with [filter name]” to find cooking content with a certain aesthetic. You can combine effects with genres, sounds, hashtags, creators, and more to refine your results.
Conclusion
In this article, we covered the main ways to search for videos on TikTok, including searching by keywords, sounds, hashtags, creators, using the Discover page, leveraging recommendations, and searching within profiles. We also discussed how to use effects and filters to find relevant content.
Being able to effectively search on TikTok is important for finding videos that resonate with you and relate to your interests. It also allows you to discover new creators that you may want to follow. As TikTok continues to grow, honing your search skills will be key to getting the most out of the platform.
For more tips on searching and discovering content, be sure to check TikTok’s help center and blog. You can also follow top creators in your niche to stay on top of the latest trends and sounds. With the right search approach, TikTok can provide endless entertainment and discovery.
