TikTok does not have a dedicated video search feature within the app. However, there are a couple of ways TikTok users can search for specific videos on the platform.
Searching Hashtags and Sounds
The easiest way to find videos on TikTok is to search for relevant hashtags or sounds. Hashtags are keywords prefixed with the # symbol that are added to video captions. Sounds refer to the music or audio clips used in TikTok videos.
To search hashtags:
- Tap the discover icon on the bottom toolbar in the TikTok app
- Tap the search bar at the top
- Type in a hashtag (e.g. #dance)
- Tap the hashtag from the dropdown list
- Scroll through videos using that hashtag
To search sounds:
- Tap the discover icon on the bottom toolbar
- Tap the search bar at the top
- Tap the sounds tab
- Browse trending sounds or use the search bar to find a specific sound
- Tap on a sound to see associated videos
Searching hashtags and sounds allows you to find videos on a particular topic or using a certain music clip or sound effect. This is the easiest way to locate videos related to your interests on TikTok.
Searching Users
You can also find videos by searching for a specific user. This allows you to quickly access all the videos posted by that user.
To search users:
- Tap the discover icon on the bottom toolbar
- Tap the search bar at the top
- Tap the users tab
- Type in the user’s name or handle
- Tap on the user to open their profile
- Scroll through their posted videos
Searching for users is helpful when you want to see more content from a certain TikTok creator. You can also find users you don’t already follow this way.
Using Video URLs
Every video posted to TikTok is assigned a unique URL. If you have the direct URL for a specific TikTok video, you can input it into your browser to access that video.
For example, the URL may look something like:
https://www.tiktok.com/@user/video/12345678901234567
Where “user” is the username and the long number is the unique ID of that video file. Inputting this full URL will open that exact video.
You can get a TikTok video’s URL by:
- Finding the Share button below the video
- Tapping Copy Link
- Pasting this URL to access the video at any time
Having the unique URL is the most direct way to retrieve a specific video you want to watch again or share with someone else.
Searching on the Web
You can also search for TikTok videos using web search engines like Google. For example, typing a keyword search like “funny dog tiktok” into Google will display TikTok videos in the results.
This allows you to search using natural language instead of hashtags. However, searching on Google may not surface some of the very latest trending videos on TikTok.
Using the Recommended Feed
While not a direct search method, the TikTok “For You” feed can also help surface videos you may be interested in. This is the default feed displayed on the TikTok app homepage.
The For You feed displays videos based on:
- Videos you have liked
- Accounts you follow
- Content similar to what you normally watch
So even without searching, the TikTok algorithm will learn your interests and recommend videos it thinks you will enjoy. The more you use TikTok, the better the recommendations become.
Scrolling through the For You feed and liking videos you enjoy is a more passive way to find content tailored to your preferences.
Using Third-Party Apps
There are some third-party apps and websites that allow searching for TikTok videos from outside the main app. These include:
- TikTok Search on the App Store/Google Play
- Web apps like TikTok Searcher
- Websites like TokBoard
These tools will let you search by keyword and hashtags, filter by users, likes or dates, and may have additional filters not available on TikTok itself. However, they require downloading additional apps or using external websites.
Why Is There No Native Video Search?
TikTok deliberately does not have a universal video search function within the app itself. There are a few reasons behind this:
- Encourages discovering new content via recommendations
- Prevents searching for banned or inappropriate content
- Makes branded content more discoverable
- Reduces server loads
TikTok wants users to find content based on recommendations, not specific searches. This promotes more video views and time spent on the app. It also allows advertisers to reach audiences more easily.
Limiting search also enables TikTok to better control the content discoverable on its platform. This allows blocking inappropriate or dangerous content more easily through recommendations.
Overall, TikTok is designed as an entertainment app to scroll, not a searchable video repository. So extensive search capabilities do not align with its core use case and business model.
Finding Videos on TikTok
In summary, here are the main ways to find videos on TikTok:
- Search hashtags and sounds
- Look up creators by name
- Use direct video URL links
- Search TikTok via Google or other web search engines
- Check the For You recommendations feed
- Try third-party TikTok search tools (with limitations)
While TikTok doesn’t have a native video search function, there are still plenty of ways to find specific videos or content types you want to watch. Using hashtags, finding creators, and leveraging recommendations are the best options within TikTok.
