How to Find Trending Hashtags on TikTok

Finding the right hashtags on TikTok can feel like the difference between your video getting seen by millions or just your mom. We’re going to show you exactly how to find trending hashtags that actually work for your content, using methods that go beyond just guesswork. This guide breaks down the simple, actionable steps to uncover the trends that will get your videos discovered by the right audience.

Why Bother with Trending Hashtags Anyway?

Before jumping into the "how," it's helpful to understand the "why." Using a trending hashtag isn't just about trying to go viral. It's about signaling to the TikTok algorithm what your content is about and who might want to see it. When you use a hashtag that's gaining traction, you're essentially attaching your video to a fast-moving conversation. This gives the algorithm a clear roadmap to push your content to a new, engaged audience that's actively looking for videos related to that trend. Think of it less as a lottery ticket and more as an express pass to the For You Page.

Method 1: Use the TikTok App Like a Pro

Your best tool for finding trends is the app itself. TikTok leaves clues everywhere for observant creators. Here’s where to look and what to do.

Master Your “For You” Page (FYP)

Your FYP is a personalized firehose of content the algorithm thinks you’ll love. Instead of just scrolling passively, start analyzing it actively. Spend 15-20 minutes scrolling with the specific goal of spotting patterns.

• Look for Repetition: Do you see the same sound, joke format, or type of effect used in multiple videos from different creators? That's a trend in the making.
• Check the Hashtags on Those Videos: Tap on the captions of these videos. Note the hashtags they are using. Often, you'll see a specific, unusual hashtag tied directly to the trend. For instance, a trending sound might have its own unique tag like #XYZSound.
• Follow Niche Creators: The algorithm already shows you content you like. Double down by following and engaging with top creators in your niche. Their content will appear more frequently on your FYP, giving you a direct line to the trends that matter to your target audience.

Use the TikTok Search and Discover Tools

The Discover page of old has been integrated into the Search bar, but its function is more powerful than ever. This is TikTok's own trend report.

1. Tap the magnifying glass icon at the top right of the app.
2. Don't even type anything yet. Look at the suggestions under "You may like." TikTok will often populate this with creators or search terms that are currently popular.
3. Type a broad keyword related to your niche (e.g., “marketing tips,” “easy recipes,” “skincare”).
4. As you type, TikTok will autofill suggestions. These suggestions aren't random, they are based on what large numbers of people are actively searching for right now. If you see “easy dinner recipes for a family,” that’s a hotter search term than just “dinner.” This gives you insight into what people genuinely want to see.
5. Pay attention to the tabs at the top of the search results: Top, Videos, Users, Sounds, Hashtags. The Hashtags tab is your goldmine. It will show you all the popular tags related to your search term, often complete with video view counts, proving their reach.

Method 2: Dive into the TikTok Creative Center

This is the single most powerful and underused resource for finding verified, data-backed trends. The TikTok Creative Center is a free website built by TikTok for marketers and creators. It’s a bit like getting access to TikTok's internal trend cheatsheet.

How to Use the Creative Center for Hashtags

1. Go to the Website: Open a web browser and go to the TikTok Creative Center (ads.tiktok.com/business/creativecenter/). You don't always need an account to browse the basic trend data.
2. Navigate to the "Trends" Tab: Look for the "Trends" section in the main navigation menu. Within this section, you'll find data on Songs, Videos, Creators, and most importantly, Hashtags.
3. Filter the Hashtag Data: This is where the magic happens. Don't just look at the overall top hashtags. Use the filters to zero in on what's relevant to you.
   • Location: Set this to your target country or countries. A trend in the UK might not be a trend in the US.
   • Industry: This is the game-changer. You can filter hashtags by industry, such as "Beauty & Personal Care," "Financial Services," or "Gaming." This shows you what's trending specifically with audiences interested in your niche.
   • Time Frame: You can see what's been popular over the last 7, 30, or 120 days. Use the shorter time frames (like "Last 7 Days") to spot emerging trends before they become oversaturated.
4. Analyze the Results: The Creative Center will show you a graph of a hashtag's popularity over time and audience insights. You can see whether a hashtag is on the rise, at its peak, or starting to fade. Acting on a tag that shows a steep upward climb gives you the best chance of catching the wave early.

Method 3: Observe Your Niche and Competitors

You don't need to reinvent the wheel every time. The most successful creators and brands in your space are already doing the research. Follow them, study them, and learn from them.

Create a "Competitor List"

Identify 5-10 accounts that are highly successful in your niche. These could be direct competitors or simply popular creators who serve the same audience you want to reach. Visit their profiles on a regular basis (a few times a week) and look at their most recent videos.

Analyze Their Winning Content

• Sort by "Popular": Go to their profile and look for their recent high-performers. What hashtags are they using on their videos that are getting hundreds of thousands or millions of views?
• Look for Patterns: Are multiple accounts in your niche using the same sound and tag? If three different "personal finance" creators suddenly post a video using the same audio and the #MoneyMindsetMakeover hashtag, you’ve found a niche trend.
• Don't Just Look at Hashtags: Pay attention to the formats too. Is everyone doing a "point at text on the screen" style video? Or a "day in the life" format? The trends are often a combination of audio, format, and hashtags.

Crafting the Perfect Hashtag Strategy

Finding a trending hashtag is only half the battle. Now you need to use it correctly. An effective hashtag strategy is about balance and relevance, not just chasing whatever is number one on the Creative Center homepage.

The "Mix and Match" Approach

Don't just use one type of hashtag. A strong video uses a healthy mix to signal multiple things to the algorithm. Aim for 3-5 hashtags per video, combining categories:

• Broad/Trending Hashtags (1-2): These are your big swings. Include tags like #fyp or a major, widely-used trending hashtag if it's peripherally relevant. These have huge traffic but also massive competition.
• Niche-Specific Hashtags (1-2): These tell the algorithm precisely who your target audience is. Examples include #BookTok, #SmallBusinessOwner, #UXDesign, or #VeganRecipes. These have less volume but are seen by a much more qualified audience.
• Brand/Content Specific Hashtags (1): This is a tag unique to you or the specific video series you are posting. For example, a makeup artist on TikTok could have a series named "Makeup Monday," and use the hashtag #MakeupMondayBy[userName]. This helps build community and makes your content searchable.

Relevance is Everything

The biggest mistake creators make is slapping an unrelated trending hashtag on their video just because it's popular. For example, putting #funnydance on a video about investing is a bad idea. Viewers who discover your video through that tag will quickly scroll away because it's not what they were looking for. This sends negative signals to the algorithm (low watch time, low engagement), hurting your video's performance more than it helps.

The trend you jump on must fit your brand’s voice and your video’s content. If you're hesitant, it's better to stick to relevant, niche hashtags than to force a trend that doesn't fit.

Final Thoughts

Finding trending hashtags for TikTok isn’t about some secret formula, but rather a consistent process of observation, research, and analysis. By regularly checking your For You Page, utilizing the power of the TikTok Creative Center, and keeping an eye on your peers, you can build a reliable system for putting your content directly in the path of your ideal audience.

We know that acting on trends quickly is half the challenge, which is why we built a tool to streamline the workflow. Once you've identified a trending hashtag, producing and scheduling the content needs to be swift and simple. Using a visual planner like Postbase, you can see your entire content plan at a glance, schedule your TikToks alongside your Reels and Shorts, and jump on opportunities before they fizzle out. It brings structure to the creative process, so you can focus more on making great content and less on the logistics of posting.