If you search for something on TikTok and get zero video results, there are a few potential reasons why this might happen. The most common causes include your account or device settings, restrictions based on your location, issues with connectivity, or changes made by TikTok to limit certain types of content.
Check Your Account and Device Settings
The first thing to check is your personal account and device settings. Go to your profile page and make sure your account is set to “Public” so that TikTok can show you a full range of content. Also, confirm that you have not turned on “Restricted Mode” which limits the visibility of some videos.
In your device settings, check that you have not enabled any parental controls or filters that would block videos from appearing in TikTok. Disable any content blocking apps or restrictions that could interfere with TikTok’s ability to display results.
Your Location and Local Laws
Another possibility is that certain content may be limited in your country or region due to local laws and regulations. For example, some topics or songs may not be available to view globally. TikTok complies with rules in different locations which means you might see fewer videos for particular searches.
You can try changing your TikTok region in your app settings to see if results become available. However, note that this does not override local laws. If access to some content is restricted where you live, changing regions may only work temporarily.
Connectivity Issues
Problems with your internet connection can also prevent videos from loading in TikTok. Check that you have a stable WiFi or mobile data signal. Close out of other apps running in the background that may be taking up bandwidth.
Also try manually updating the TikTok app if you are out of date as the latest version may fix bugs that stop videos from appearing. Force quit and relaunch TikTok to clear any glitches. As a last resort, power off your device completely and turn it back on to refresh the operating system.
Limiting Over-Saturated Topics
In some cases, TikTok purposefully limits views on very popular topics and memes to prevent too much repetitive content from flooding the platform. Trending topics like dance moves or hashtag challenges often spawn endless imitative videos.
To ensure variety, TikTok’s algorithms will start demoting these bandwagon videos and stop surfacing as many in search results. So if you notice zero views for an extremely common hashtag or viral meme, this intentional limiting is likely the reason.
Banning Dangerous Challenges and Activities
TikTok has received criticism in the past for exposing teens and young users to dangerous viral challenges and stunts. When a particular hashtag is deemed hazardous, TikTok will completely eliminate it from search to discourage participation.
For example, challenges that encourage self-harm, dangerous driving, misuse of medications, etc. may be restricted or banned. So if you search for something controversial that went viral before being banned, it’s possible no videos will appear.
Blocking Inappropriate, Abusive, or Spam Content
To maintain a positive environment, TikTok relies on users to flag inappropriate videos. Content moderators will remove posts that violate community guidelines around hate speech, graphic violence, adult material, harassment, etc.
Videos promoting scams, spam, and other shady behavior are also deleted promptly. So searches related to banned material or users will turn up empty. While TikTok has rules, some undesirable content still slips through, so reporting harmful videos helps keep the platform clean.
Shadow Banning Users Who Violate Rules
TikTok also practices “shadow banning” where it secretly hides rule-breaking users’ posts without their knowledge. These users can still see their videos and uploads normally, but no one else can find or view them.
Shadow banning allows TikTok to punish spammers, bullies, and scammers without tipping them off so they create fresh accounts. So if searches for a particular user show no videos, they may be shadow banned.
Glitches and Algorithm Misfires
Despite TikTok’s best efforts, its technology isn’t perfect. The highly complex video recommendation system can sometimes malfunction and fail to show relevant results.
Likewise, software bugs or errors on TikTok’s end may inadvertently cause videos to disappear from search even if they don’t violate any policies. If refreshing the app doesn’t work, it may be a temporary technical hiccup.
Testing and Rolling Out New Features
As part of upgrading the app, TikTok frequently tests experimental changes with small groups of users before launching features widely. These tests can unintentionally break search for some term or topics.
Ongoing tweaks to the recommendation algorithm can also change what videos surface for given searches. So if your searches worked before but now show no results, it may be the result of new features in development.
Keyword Blocking for Brands and Influencers
Major brands and influencers have access to special tools to proactively block videos using their name or trademark. This allows companies to prevent unauthorized use or infringement.
However, overzealous blocking can mean fans searching a brand name may confusingly get zero results. Certain influencers may also hide unflattering videos mentioning their name or username.
Seeking Legal Action for Copyright Violations
When video creators or musicians detect their copyrighted work illegally used in TikTok posts, they can request the videos be removed. TikTok generally complies to avoid lawsuits.
If you search a sound, song, clip, or meme that was originally someone’s intellectual property, the copyright holder may have pursued a takedown leaving no results.
What to Do When TikTok Search Shows No Results
If you encounter a TikTok search term or hashtag that yields no videos, here are some tips:
- Check your personal account and device settings to make sure content restrictions are disabled.
- Try using a VPN to change regions in case local laws limit certain material.
- Ensure your internet connection is stable and update the TikTok app.
- Restart your phone to clear any glitches.
- Avoid searching banned tags or users who violate policies.
- Rephrase keywords if a search term is shadow banned.
- Report suspicious missing videos as potential app bugs.
While “no results” on TikTok is frustrating, in most cases there’s a legitimate reason why that specific video, sound, user, or hashtag doesn’t display content. With over 1 billion monthly active users globally, TikTok has to be vigilant about upholding community guidelines and local laws.
Empty search results typically mean the content was either objectionable or restricted in some way. As TikTok continues to refine its algorithms and enforcement tactics, be prepared to encounter searches that show no videos.
