TikTok has a powerful search feature that allows you to find videos, sounds, hashtags, creators, and more. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to use search on TikTok to find what you’re looking for.
Searching for Videos
The main way most people use TikTok search is to find videos. Here are some tips for searching videos:
- Use keywords – Type words and phrases related to what you want to find into the search bar. For example, “funny cat videos” or “cooking tutorial”.
- Try different keyword combinations – Search doesn’t just look for exact matches, so try different wording like “cat funny video” or just “funny cats”.
- Use hashtags – Include a hashtag like #cat or #cooking in your search to find videos using those hashtags.
- Search usernames – Type a TikTok username like @tiktok or @gordonramsay to see that user’s videos.
- Browse categories – Tap the search magnifying glass and select “Categories” to browse video genres like gaming, animals, or beauty.
When you run a search, results are displayed with the most relevant videos first. Tap filters at the top to refine by video duration, upload date, and more. Scroll down to load more search results.
Finding Sounds
Every TikTok video uses an audio clip. You can search for sounds to find the original video a sound was used in, or videos that have used that sound.
- Search sounds – Type keywords like “hit song” or “funny sound effect” into search.
- Find a video’s sound – Tap the “Sound” link on any video to search for the audio clip it uses.
- Browse recommended sounds – Tap the search magnifying glass and select “Sounds” to browse popular sounds.
You can tap a sound result to preview it. Tap the red sound wave icon to view a feed of videos using that sound.
Searching Hashtags
Hashtags are a powerful way to find and share content on TikTok. Here are tips for searching hashtags:
- Type a hashtag like #dance or #tiktok into search to view videos using it.
- Browse recommended hashtags – Tap the search magnifying glass and select “Hashtags” to browse trending tag topics.
- View related hashtags – Tap on a hashtag result to see “Related Hashtags” you can also search for.
- Save hashtags – Tap the bookmark icon on a hashtag to save it so you can quickly view that feed.
The videos shown when tapping on a hashtag are ranked by an algorithm according to relevance. You can tap filters to sort by newest or top videos instead.
Finding Profiles
Search makes finding your friends and discovering new creators to follow easy on TikTok.
- Search usernames – Type a full username like @tiktok or part of a name like @david into search.
- Search names – Try searching for a creator’s actual name like “charli d’amelio”.
- Find contacts – TikTok will match usernames and names from your contacts list.
Profile results will show verified accounts first. Tap a profile to view videos and follow or message that user. Use “Followers” and “Following” numbers to gauge their popularity.
Searching Effects
TikTok has tons of fun AR effects you can search for to use in your own videos.
- Look up effects – Search words like “beauty effect” or an effect name like “anime eyes”.
- Browse categories – Tap search and select “Effects” to browse popular effects by category.
- Find lenses – Search “lenses” to browse lens effects that transform your face.
Tap an effect result to preview it on your camera. Tap “Try this effect” to record a video with the AR effect applied.
Using Filters to Refine Searches
Filters allow you to refine any search result by:
- Duration – Filter by video length.
- Upload date – Find newest or oldest videos.
- Type – Filter video, user, or hashtag results.
- Language – Search within a specific language.
- Country – Limit results to a specific country.
Tap “Clear” to remove filters. On iOS, tap “cancel” to exit filters. Filters can help narrow results down when searches yield too many broad results.
Saving Your Searches
You can save searches to quickly access favorite results.
- Save a search – Tap the bookmark icon on a video, profile, sound, or hashtag.
- View saved content – Tap your profile icon > Bookmarks to see your saved searches.
- Organize bookmarks – Edit bookmarks by adding to categories like “Favorite Songs” or “Cooking Inspiration”.
Saved searches persist across the TikTok app on all your devices. Bookmarks make it easy to regularly check back on search results you want to follow.
Searching on Desktop
TikTok’s search works similar on a computer browser at tiktok.com. Some differences:
- No filters – Can’t filter web searches by duration, date, etc.
- Limited profiles – User profile results limited compared to mobile app.
- Bookmarks sync – Web bookmarks do sync to mobile app bookmarks.
So searching the TikTok mobile app tends to yield better results. But web search can supplement and extend your searching capabilities.
Optimizing Your Profile to Be Discovered
Making your TikTok profile discoverable in search helps gain more followers. Try these tips:
- Complete your bio – Fill out your profile bio fully to give searchers more info about you and your content.
- Use keywords – Include relevant keywords people may search for in your username, bio, and video titles and descriptions.
- Post consistently – Stay active by posting videos regularly to have an opportunity to be discovered in search and rankings.
- Use trending sounds – Use popular sounds and songs people are searching for.
- Optimize hashtags – Research which hashtags are popular around your niche and use the most relevant.
Making search work for you both in finding content and being discovered yourself takes some work. But it’s worth optimizing to unlock the full power of TikTok search.
Tips for Effective TikTok Searching
Here are some final tips for mastering search on TikTok:
- Trending feeds like For You showcase what’s currently popular, while search lets you dive deep into specific interests.
- If a search term is too broad, use filters and multiple keywords to narrow it down.
- Search works on TikTok across mobile, desktop web, tablets, and smart TV apps.
- Turn on notifications for Saved Searches to be alerted when new content gets posted.
- Use search to research trends, songs, effects, and creators around niches you are interested in.
- Searching on desktop web can supplement mobile app searching with different results.
- Optimize your profile, content, and activity to maximize search traffic to your videos and profile.
TikTok search is a powerful tool for both discovery and growth. Tap into its capabilities to get the most out of TikTok’s massive amount of video content and creator community.
