TikTok is currently all the rage, and it looks like the short video sharing platform isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. If the first thing you think of when you hear TikTok is still Kesha (or a regular old clock), here’s the 411:
TikTok is a trend-driven app where users share short videos, from 15 seconds to 3 minutes in length. Users can comment on videos, follow their favorite TikTokers, and the app has tons of sharing options built-in.
The app is well-known for its audio library filled with creator-made sounds. When creating a video, users can record their own audio or choose from a trending sound. Some sounds even have a video trend to match.
Creators all over the world choose these trending sounds and create videos doing the same thing, with a personal twist. Think of these popular video trends like memes. When a meme format gets popular, users adapt it to convey different messages, but the format of the joke is always the same.
Considering more than 1 billion videos are watched on TikTok every single day, you might have to put in a little extra effort to help your videos stand out from the crowd. That’s where hashtags enter the chat.
A hashtag is a collection of words, letters, or numbers preceded by a pound sign (#). Using hashtags groups your content in with similar content, making it easier for people (and algorithms) to find your videos.
On TikTok, creators add hashtags to label their content and get more reach. Users can click the hashtags to view all the other videos that also use the hashtag. So, if you wanted to spend hours swiping through adorable cat videos, all you have to do is search up #cutecat.
The bulk of TikTok users spends time on their For You Page, not their Followers page. The For You Page (FYP) is where TikTok deposits all the videos it thinks you will enjoy. This is where the algorithm works its magic.
When you add relevant hashtags to your TikTok videos, you expand your reach way beyond your current follower base. Your video will pop up on the FYP of users who like content similar to yours. For example, TikTok will show videos with #cutecat to users who love cat content (speaking from experience, here).
TikTok users can choose to follow hashtags they really like. This gets your content onto the Following page for users who don’t even follow you.
One thing to remember-- the more oversaturated a hashtag is, the more competition you face. Just like with long-tail keywords in SEO, more specific hashtags with lower numbers often have better results.
Scope out accounts that are performing well in your industry. See what hashtags they commonly use and give those a try. Chances are, they might work some algorithm magic for your account too.
This one’s similar to tip #1. If you want to grow your audience, look at what hashtags your current followers' use and follow. Using these hashtags will help you get in front of people who share interests with your current audience.
Whether or not these hashtags actually get videos on the FYP is up for debate, but there’s no harm in trying them out and seeing what impact they have on your metrics. TikTokers use these three hashtags on all posts to boost their chances of being shown on the FYP. If you run out of characters in your caption, you can always post these hashtags in the comments section.
Users visit the Discover tab to see what’s new and trendy on TikTok. Lots of trending hashtags are shown here. It’s a great source of inspiration to turn to for trending hashtags and video ideas-- especially when you’re running out of ideas.
When you find a hashtag that works well for your account, type it in the search bar and see what related hashtags populate. This is a good way to find additional hashtags that get a lot of attention from your target audience. Chances are, if you get good traction from a hashtag, you’ll get similarly positive results from related hashtags.
Trending TikTok hashtags can do no wrong. They help the TikTok algorithm prioritize your video and make it easier for your target audience to find your content. Trending hashtags make your brand culturally relevant and relatable for your audience. Considering the growing importance of authenticity and relatability for brands on social media, trending TikTok hashtags are a priceless method for growing a community of supporters for your brand.