A hashtag is a type of metadata tag that consists of a hash or pound symbol (#) followed by a keyword or phrase, usually without any spaces. Hashtags originated on the IRC network back in 1988 as a way to categorize or group messages, but they did not gain widespread popularity until their adoption on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram.[1]
On social media, hashtags serve multiple purposes. Primarily, they enable users to search for and find posts on a specific topic or keyword. Using relevant hashtags allows your content to be more easily discovered by people interested in that subject. Hashtags also facilitate conversations and connections between users with shared interests or experiences. Popular hashtags often act as forums where social media users can all contribute to the same real-time dialogue.[2]
Overall, hashtags categorize content, increase discoverability, and allow networks to form around particular topics, events, or campaigns on social media.
How Hashtags Work on TikTok
Hashtags are an essential part of the TikTok experience and serve an important purpose – they group and categorize videos, making them more discoverable to users. When creating a new video, adding relevant hashtags is key to helping it reach the right audience.
On TikTok, hashtags work differently than on other platforms like Instagram or Twitter. Hashtags on TikTok aren’t clickable links that lead to tagged content. Instead, TikTok’s algorithm uses hashtags to categorize and recommend videos to users with similar interests. Adding popular and niche hashtags allows your content to surface in more feeds.
When someone searches for a specific hashtag or taps on a hashtag from a video caption, they’ll be taken to a page showing other videos using that hashtag. This makes it easy to find more videos around topics you’re interested in. The more relevant hashtags you use, the greater your chance of discovery.
Overall, strategic use of hashtags is key for any successful TikTok video. Finding the right balance of popular and niche hashtags can help spread your content widely. Hashtags essentially work as a tagging system to categorize videos and improve their reach.
Popular TikTok Hashtags
When it comes to popular hashtags on TikTok, some stand out from the rest in terms of popularity and views. According to SocialPilot, some of the most used TikTok hashtags are: #foryou, #foryoupage, #fyp, #duet, and #viralvideos.
The #foryou and #foryoupage hashtags in particular help content get discovered by TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, increasing the chances of reaching new viewers. #fyp is another immensely popular hashtag on TikTok, with over 221 billion views. Using these common hashtags can help expose your content to large existing audiences on TikTok.
According to Fanbytes, some other highly viewed hashtags include #trending, #comedy, #funnyvideos, #dance, and #music. Using a mix of popular and niche hashtags can help maximize visibility.
Using Hashtags to Increase Views
One of the main reasons people use hashtags on TikTok is to increase the number of views their videos receive. Using relevant and popular hashtags can help get your content in front of users who are interested in those topics. Here are some tips for using hashtags effectively to boost views:
Focus on hashtags closely related to your video’s specific topic or niche. Generic tags like #fyp likely won’t help as much as tags specifically describing what your video is about. Do keyword research to find the most searched hashtags in your niche.
Include a mix of popular general hashtags and more targeted niche tags. The widely used #fyp or #foryou hashtags can help reach a broader audience, while niche tags attract users interested in your specific content.
Use trending hashtags and challenges to capitalize on currently viral topics. Check TikTok’s trending hashtag page or lookup hashtag challenges circulating at the moment.
Use a sufficient but not excessive number of hashtags. Studies show using 9-15 relevant hashtags per post leads to the most views. Too few limits exposure, but too many can seem spammy.
Place hashtags in your caption to make them more visible. Put them at the start or end, separated by other text in between.
Research what top creators in your niche use for hashtags and emulate their choices. Their knowledge of the platform can inform what works well.
Continually test new hashtags and analyze what drives the most views. Adjust them over time to optimize performance.
Using the right hashtags for your target audience and niche is crucial for getting content seen. Keep these tips in mind to effectively leverage hashtags for more TikTok views.
Finding Trending Hashtags
Using trending hashtags is one of the best ways to increase views and exposure on TikTok. TikTok’s algorithm favors videos using hashtags that are currently popular or “trending” among users.
The easiest way to find trending hashtags is to use TikTok’s Discover tab. This section shows the top trending hashtags over the last 24 hours, week, and month. Simply tap on a trending hashtag to view top videos using it. You can also search for trending hashtags using third-party sites like Publer and Statusbrew which aggregate data on current hashtag popularity.
It’s important to routinely check for new trending hashtags as they constantly change day-to-day. Using real-time trending hashtags ensures your video appears for users searching those high-traffic tags, leading to increased visibility.
Creating Branded Hashtags
Brands can leverage TikTok hashtags as part of their marketing campaigns and branded hashtag challenges. Here are some tips for creating effective branded hashtags on TikTok:
Keep it short and memorable. Avoid hashtags that are too long or complicated. Aim for 1-2 words that are unique to your brand.
Make it campaign-specific. The hashtag should relate directly to a specific campaign or challenge you are running rather than just your overall brand.
Add your brand name. Incorporate your brand name or a shortened version into the hashtag so it’s identifiable.
Check for typosquatting. Do a search to ensure no one is using a misspelled version of your branded hashtag.
Promote it everywhere. Spread awareness of your hashtag on all marketing channels and incentivize participation.
Engage with users. Like, comment on, and share TikToks using your branded hashtag to increase engagement.
Run a branded challenge. Launch a TikTok challenge asking users to create content around your hashtag for a prize.
Track analytics. Use TikTok analytics to see impressions and engagement for your branded hashtag.
Reuse it as needed. Branded hashtags can be reused for multiple campaigns if they remain relevant.
Maximizing Discoverability
One of the best ways to get more views on TikTok is to make use of relevant and popular hashtags so that your videos appear in searches. However, simply cramming a video description full of hashtags is counterproductive. According to TikTok experts, the optimal number of hashtags to include is 3-5. Using more than 5 hashtags quickly becomes spammy and can lead to your video being less visible in searches.[1]
The key is to include a targeted mix of niche, medium, and broader hashtags that are relevant to your video topic and the audience you want to reach. For example, a recipe video could include the niche hashtag #veganrecipes along with more general tags like #foodie, #cookingtips, and #foodtiktok. This helps attract viewers interested specifically in vegan recipes as well as a wider food audience. Just make sure every hashtag genuinely connects to what your video shows.
Additionally, pay attention to which hashtags are trending or commonly searched on TikTok using the app’s Trends and Discover sections. Jumping on these timely popular hashtags when appropriate can give your views a helpful boost.[2]
With the right selective use of 3-5 well-matched hashtags, you can maximize how discoverable your TikTok videos are without overdoing it.
[1] https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-hashtags/
[2] https://www.dashhudson.com/blog/tiktok-hashtags
Avoiding Shadowbans
Overusing hashtags on TikTok can sometimes lead to your content being “shadowbanned”, which reduces the visibility of your videos. A shadowban essentially restricts your account reach without any notification from TikTok (Megadigital). According to the influencer marketing platform Influencer Marketing Hub, using too many irrelevant hashtags can trigger a shadowban. When you are shadowbanned, your videos and profile will not show up in searches, hashtags, or recommendations as frequently.
To avoid getting shadowbanned from hashtags, focus on using 5-10 relevant hashtags per video instead of spamming as many as possible. Only use hashtags that are directly related to your content and niche. You can utilize hashtag research tools to find trending and popular hashtags, but avoid bandwagoning on oversaturated ones. Mix up the hashtags you use as well – repeating the exact same ones in all your videos may be flagged. Overall, maintain hashtag quality over quantity and be strategic in choosing hashtags that make sense for each video.
Hashtag Challenges
Hashtag challenges have become an immensely popular trend on TikTok. These are campaigns wherein TikTok prompts users to create and share videos using a specific branded hashtag. Some of the most popular hashtag challenges include:
The #PoseChallenge started by retailer Guess encouraged users to strike a pose in their Guess jeans. This campaign generated over 4 billion views. The challenge played into Guess’ stylish denim image and aligns with the app’s culture of showing off fashion and style.
Beauty brand e.l.f cosmetics launched the #eyeslipsface challenge which prompted users to create short transition videos showing their eyes, lips, and full face. This smart campaign matched e.l.f’s brand name and makeup product categories.
Chipotle’s #ChipotleLidFlip dared customers to flip a Chipotle bowl lid and land it upright on the bowl. This challenge generated about 110,000 submissions. The engaging, branded challenge aligned well with Chipotle’s food offerings.
Succeeding with a branded hashtag challenge requires attracting influencers, using eye-catching and descriptive hashtags, and incentivizing user participation through prizes or product giveaways. Overall, challenges allow brands to tap into trending content formats and foster user creativity.
Conclusion
Hashtags are an integral part of the TikTok experience, allowing users to discover new content, trends, and creators. By using relevant and popular hashtags, creators can increase their views and gain new followers. But hashtags must be used strategically – spam tagging or using banned/shadowbanned hashtags can actually hurt your growth.
Some key points to remember about TikTok hashtags:
- Use a mix of broad and niche hashtags that are relevant to your content.
- Research trending and top hashtags in your niche to stay on top of what’s popular.
- Create unique branded hashtags that your followers can unite around.
- Try participating in hashtag challenges to exponentially increase your reach.
- Monitor your hashtags regularly to avoid those that get you shadowbanned.
Understanding how to optimize hashtags for the TikTok algorithm is key to creating viral videos and growing your audience. By strategically researching hashtags and properly tagging your content, TikTok creators can expand their reach and visibility in a major way.
