With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms for watching, creating, and sharing short videos. Like any social platform, mastering the search function is key to getting the most out of TikTok. Whether you’re looking for specific creators, sounds, hashtags or the latest trends, searching on TikTok can help you find relevant and personalized content.
TikTok has improved their search features over the years, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. Here is a detailed guide on the various ways to search on TikTok and optimize your searches in 2023.
Using the Search Bar
The most straightforward way to search TikTok is by using the search bar at the top of your screen. When you tap on it, a keyboard will pop up allowing you to type in keywords, usernames, hashtags or sounds. As you start typing, you’ll see autocomplete suggestions based on what’s currently popular on TikTok. Tap on a suggestion to go directly to those results.
Keep your search terms concise and relevant. For broader topics like “dance” or “cooking”, TikTok will show you its top suggested results. For more specific searches like “air fryer recipes” or @charlidamelio, you’ll see posts that match exactly.
Search Filters
When using the main search bar, you can also filter results by People, Hashtags, or Sounds using the tabs at the top. The People tab will only show usernames that match your search. The Hashtags and Sounds tabs display relevant trending hashtags and music clips.
This is useful for discovering new creators, trends or music on a certain topic. For example, searching for “dance” and filtering for Sounds will showcase popular dance songs people use in their videos.
Advanced Search Operators
You can streamline searches further by using operators like quotes, dashes and parentheses:
- “Double quotes” – Search for an exact match of a multi-word term like “latte art”
- #Hashtag – Search for videos using a specific hashtag like #fyp
- @Username – Search for a specific user like @tiktok
- -Minus sign – Exclude a keyword like cat -dog to remove dog videos
- Parentheses – Group keywords like (cat | dog) owner to search for either cat or dog owners
Using the Discover Tab
The Discover tab on the bottom navigation bar can also be great for searching without keywords. This section serves up content based on your interests and past engagement on the app. Scroll through the Discover page to watch popular videos, discover trending hashtags and sounds, and follow new creators tailored to you.
Trending Searches
At the top of the Discover page you’ll see trending searches that give insight into what’s currently popular on TikTok. Tap on any of these searched phrases or hashtags to see associated results.
Categories
Discover shows different top-level categories like Food, Animals, Comedy, DIY and Music. Browsing through these categories and their subgenres is a quick way to find videos around hobbies or topics you enjoy without having to think of specific search terms.
Using Hashtag Challenges
Hashtag challenges go viral on TikTok as users create their own take on a concept. Searching these popular hashtags helps you discover current trends.
For example, #OutfitOfTheDay shows creative everyday outfit ideas, while #BookTok features users reviewing books or reacting to reading. Even broader challenges like #HappyAthome provide entertainment for people spending more time at home.
Tapping on a challenge hashtag brings up a page showing top videos using it. You can scroll through curated examples and further filter by Most Popular, Latest or People to see how different creators have approached the concept.
In-App Challenges
TikTok also creates its own sponsored hashtag challenges in collaboration with brands, musicians and influencers. These in-app challenges appear on the Discover page and prompt users to create a TikTok based on certain guidelines for the chance to be featured.
Participating in popular in-app challenges can be a way to make your TikTok stand out. Search for current challenges that appeal to your interests or creativity like #TheCalmZone by Sephora or #PrideWorldwide by Spotify.
Using Sounds to Find Videos
Music and sounds play a major role in fueling trends on TikTok. Spotting a trending sound is an easy way to come up with video ideas that can gain more views and engagement.
Click on the Discover tab and scroll down to Popular Sounds where you can browse top trending tracks. Tap a sound to see a feed of videos using it. Or click See All under a sound to only view videos using that exact song or clip.
You can also search for specific sounds or lyrics using the main search. This retrieves associated sounds and surfaces videos utilizing them.
Duets and Stitches
Duets and stitches are other ways musical trends spread on TikTok. A duet incorporates another user’s video along the right side of your new recording. A stitch is when your video shows part of someone else’s TikTok at the start.
When viewing a video using a catchy sound, you’ll see options to start a Duet or Stitch with that video. The original audio is automatically included to make it easy to put your own spin by reacting to the video or song.
Following hashtags, creators, and sounds
Along with searching, TikTok lets you follow certain accounts, hashtags and sounds to personalize the videos shown in your Following feed.
When viewing a video, hashtag page, or creator profile, tap Follow from their page. Any new content using those keywords or from those accounts will then appear in your Following feed on the homepage.
Following a diversity of trends, challenges, sounds and creators you like makes it easier to constantly discover content tailored to your interests. Your Following feed evolves over time based on what you engage with most.
Improving Your For You feed
TikTok’s main For You feed also delivers a stream of videos based on your interactions. Like, comment, share and follow more of the types of videos you want to see.
Tap the Share option on videos to add them to your profile Favorites collection. Your favorites help train the TikTok algorithm on your preferences.
Conversely, long-press on videos in your feed you aren’t interested in and select Not Interested. Interact less with content from creators or hashtags you want to see less of.
Finding Videos You’ve Liked
As you search and discover new content, you’ll likely stumble upon some gems you want to save for later. TikTok makes this easy by letting you view all the videos you’ve liked before.
Tap your profile icon in the bottom right and select the bookmark icon to open your Liked videos collection. You can scroll back through videos you’ve liked to rewatch, share or get inspired by again later.
Finding Comments
You can also tap on your profile and then Comments to view all comments you’ve left on videos. This lets you revisit conversations or threads where you interacted with creators or followers.
Using Search Recommendations
One newer TikTok search feature offers recommendations while you are typing keywords. At the top of the main search feed, you may see Top results for… with additional hashtag ideas related to your search.
For example, typing “exercise” brings up suggestions for more specific searches like #HIIIT and #AthomeWorkout. Tap these recommendations to quickly find additional content tailored to your search.
Optimizing Your Profile for Search
Making your own TikTok account discoverable can help gain more profile views and followers. Fill out your TikTok bio completely, including keywords related to your niche or content focus. This gives viewers more context when deciding whether to follow you.
Using trending sounds and hashtags also makes your videos appear in more searches. Include relevant hashtags in your video captions as well to show up when people search those keywords.
Going live and enabling Live Subtitles also boosts your visibility. This makes your livestreams accessible to more users and surfaces you higher in TikTok search and recommendations.
Key Takeaways
- Use TikTok’s main search bar to find videos, creators, hashtags or music.
- Filter search results by People, Hashtags or Sounds for more specific discovery.
- Try advanced search operators like quotes or minus signs to customize searches.
- Browse the trending, sound and hashtag recommendations on the Discover tab.
- Follow trends, challenges, creators and sounds that appeal to your interests.
- Like, share, comment on the content you enjoy to improve recommendations.
- View your Liked videos and Comments history to easily rediscover engaging content.
- Optimize your profile with keywords and trending sounds/hashtags to be more discoverable.
Mastering search is crucial for constantly finding new and entertaining videos on TikTok as trends evolve so rapidly. But combining searching with tailored Following and For You feeds provides the full experience. Use all these tools to turn TikTok into a source of creative inspiration in 2023.
