Searching for videos on TikTok allows users to find specific videos, sounds, hashtags, effects, creators, topics, and more on the platform. The search functionality enables users to explore the vast amount of content on TikTok beyond just the For You page recommendations.
How to use search on TikTok
There are a few ways to search for videos on TikTok:
- Tap the search icon (magnifying glass) at the bottom of the screen. This will bring up the search bar where you can type in keywords.
- From the profile tab, tap the search icon at the top of the screen. Again, this will bring up the search bar.
- You can also search by username by tapping the search icon and typing @username directly into the search bar.
Search filters
TikTok has several filters you can use to narrow down search results:
- Users – Search for specific creators by their username.
- Hashtags – Find videos featuring a specific hashtag.
- Sounds – Search for videos using a particular sound or song.
- LIkes – See the most liked videos for your search term.
You can combine keywords and filters for even more specific searches. For example, searching “dance hashtags” or “@charlidamelio sounds”.
Types of searches on TikTok
There are a few main types of searches people conduct on TikTok:
Searching for viral videos and trends
Many users search keywords, hashtags, or sounds related to current viral content and trends on TikTok. This allows them to discover popular videos and participate in trending challenges and memes. Examples include searching for viral dances, songs, effects, or hashtags like #FlipTheSwitch or #WipeItDown.
Finding specific creators
Searching by username allows users to easily find their favorite creators or influencers. Fans can follow updates from creators they enjoy watching without having to wait for the recommendations algorithm.
Discovering new content and creators
General keyword searches enable users to find new videos, creators, sounds, and trends outside of their existing interests and recommendations. This allows for discovering different niches and categories of content. Examples could include searching “cooking”, “comedy”, or “beauty” to find related content.
Learning dances and trends
Users often search for tutorial or “how to” content so they can learn trending dances, effects, makeup looks and more. They may search specific dance names, songs, or “how to get x effect” to find videos that teach them new skills and trends.
Most common searches
Some of the most common searches and keywords on TikTok include:
- Viral challenges and hashtag keywords like #FlipTheSwitch
- Trending songs and sounds
- Popular creator usernames like @charlidamelio and @addisonre
- General keywords like “dance”, “comedy”, “recipes” to find related content
- How-to searches like “how to dance” or “how to get x effect”
Optimizing videos for search
Creators can optimize their videos for discovery in TikTok search results by:
- Using relevant hashtags so their content appears in searches
- Adding trending sounds and music that users are searching for
- Including searchable text in video titles/captions
- Tagging their location
- Posting trending content styles and formats that gain high engagement
Finding specific videos
Trying to find one specific video you saw can be tricky on TikTok. A few tips for locating a particular video include:
- Search any hashtags, captions, or unique audio from the video
- Check your likes or shares to see if you previously engaged with the video
- Go through the profile of the creator you think posted it
- Use Google search with site:tiktok.com and any keywords
- Use TikTok’s direct URL sharing option for any videos you want to save and share
Issues or limitations
There are a few issues users may encounter at times when searching on TikTok:
- Restricted or banned hashtags/sounds due to policy violations
- Difficulty finding videos from small creators who don’t use optimal SEO
- Verification badges showing up in name searches for unverified accounts
- Search not indexing newly uploaded videos quickly enough
- Limits searching by location or captions
However, TikTok is continuously making improvements to search functionality and relevance. Overall, search provides an effective way for users to fully explore the platform beyond just the For You page.
Future improvements
Some potential future improvements for search on TikTok include:
- Advanced sorting like most views, most recent, exact keyword match
- Expanded search filters like video duration, aspect ratio, verification status
- Image based search using AI to identify objects, people, text etc in videos
- Voice search capabilities
- Related searches and recommendations while searching
As TikTok continues to grow, improving search will be key to helping both creators reach new audiences and users discover the best content for their interests.
