TikTok does not have a dedicated search bar for searching videos and content within the app. Instead, TikTok relies on its “For You” feed algorithm to surface relevant and personalized content to each user. The lack of a search bar is an intentional design choice by TikTok to promote discovery of new videos and creators organically.
Why Doesn’t TikTok Have a Search Bar?
There are a few key reasons why TikTok does not include a search bar like other social media platforms:
- Encourage Discovery – Without a search bar, users rely on the For You feed and recommendations to find new videos and creators to follow. This promotes more organic discovery vs searching for specific content.
- Simplify Interface – Keeping the interface clean and uncluttered improves the user experience, especially on mobile. A search bar would take up valuable screen space.
- Promote Engagement – By making content easily discoverable, users spend more time engaged in the app rather than searching for specific videos.
- Differentiate from Competitors – Most other video platforms like YouTube have search bars. Lacking one makes TikTok stand out.
How to Find Videos and Creators Without a Search Bar
Despite not having a dedicated search option, there are still several ways users can find specific content and creators on TikTok:
Using Hashtags
Every video on TikTok can be tagged with relevant hashtags. Following specific hashtags will populate your For You feed with those types of videos. For example, #food or #dance. Tapping on a hashtag opens up a page showing other videos using that tag.
Following Creators
If you find a creator you like, follow their account to see all their newly posted content. Their videos will automatically show up in your Following feed. Fans can also enable notifications when a favorite creator posts.
Likes and Shares
When you heart/like or share a video, the algorithm logs that interest to recommend similar content. Liking food videos will surface more of that type of content over time.
Sounds and Effects
Tapping on the sound or effect icon on a video will showcase other TikToks using the same audio clip or AR filter. This allows you to discover new takes on the same meme or trend.
Following Trends
Trending hashtags and viral video challenges appear in the Trending sidebar. Tapping these trends is an easy way to find more examples of popular memes and content of the moment.
Searching Within Profile
While there is no global search, you can search for specific videos and captions within an individual creator’s TikTok profile. This lets you dig through their personal content library.
Finding Friends and Contacts on TikTok
Since TikTok lacks a universal search, finding people you know directly on the platform can be tricky. Here are some options to locate friends and contacts:
- Connect Contact Lists – TikTok allows connecting your phone’s contacts to find matches who also use TikTok.
- Share Profile Links – Manually share your TikTok profile link to let friends/contacts find and follow you.
- Use Third-Party Tools – Apps like TikTok search engines allow searching by name and handle.
- Find via Other Social Media – If you connect your other social media like Instagram or Twitter, you can find friends who also link to TikTok.
Third-Party TikTok Search Tools
While native TikTok does not have search, there are third-party websites and apps that allow searching TikTok content:
TikTok Search Engine Websites
Services like Search4Video, TikTokSearch, and Totalk allow keyword searching to find videos, sounds, hashtags, creators, and trending content on TikTok.
Companion Apps
Third-party apps like TikSoul and Toopik can be downloaded to gain TikTok search functionality along with additional analytic features.
Tips for Discovering Content Without Search
It takes some adjusting to get used to TikTok without a dedicated search option, but these tips can help:
- Tap hashtags and trends to dive into niche content
- Use all the filters like sounds and effects to expand on videos
- Let the FYP algorithm learn your interests by liking content
- Follow creators that make your favorite type of videos
- Check out trending and Discover tab for what’s popular
- Share videos with friends to find mutual interests
Why TikTok May Add Search in the Future
While a search bar is absent for now, there are signs TikTok may incorporate direct search capabilities in the future:
- Increased demand – As user base grows, desire for search grows too.
- More content – Billions of videos makes search more useful for finding niche content.
- Promoting creators – Helps new creators be discovered.
- Competition with YouTube – Most major video platforms have search.
However, the familiar scroll-and-discover experience is integral to TikTok. Any future search additions would likely complement the app’s current focus on algorithmic recommendations.
For now, TikTok users can continue using hashtags, trends, sounds, and profiles to conveniently locate entertaining and relevant video content on the platform.
