How to Find Trending Keywords on TikTok

Finding the right keywords for your TikTok videos isn't a complex mystery - it's how you tell the algorithm exactly who needs to see your content. Mastering this skill unlocks greater visibility, gets you on more For You Pages, and puts your videos in front of an audience that’s actively searching for your ideas. This guide will walk you through the simple, actionable methods to find trending keywords using TikTok's own tools and a few outside-the-box strategies.

Why TikTok Keywords Are Essential for Growth

For a long time, TikTok was seen purely as a discovery engine powered by its legendary algorithm on the For You Page (FYP). But that's only half the story. TikTok has also evolved into a massive search engine, with nearly 40% of Gen Z now using it over Google for certain types of searches. People aren't just scrolling, they're looking for recipes, product reviews, daily routines, and answers to their problems.

When you use targeted keywords, you give the algorithm clear signals about what your video contains. This does two powerful things:

• It improves your FYP placement: The algorithm is always trying to match content with the right viewer. Strong keywords act like a roadmap, telling TikTok, "Show this video to people interested in vintage fashion" or "This is for anyone looking for gluten-free baking tips."
• It helps you rank in search results: When a user types "how to repot a monstera" into the TikTok search bar, the app shows them videos that have been optimized for those keywords. If your video is properly tagged, you have a chance to show up right when someone is looking for the exact information you're providing.

Ignoring keywords is like hanging a beautifully designed sign for your business on a street with no name. It might look great, but nobody will know how to find it. Let's fix that.

Your First Stop: Mining Keywords Directly from the TikTok App

The best place to find what people are searching for on TikTok is... well, on TikTok. The app is loaded with real-time data on user behavior. You just need to know where to access it.

1. Master the TikTok Search Bar

This is the simplest and most effective method for understanding what users want. Here's how to do it:

1. Start with a broad topic: Open the TikTok app, tap the search icon, and start typing a general term related to your niche. Let's say you're a home organizer, so you type in "closet."
2. Watch the autocomplete suggestions: Before you even hit search, TikTok will suggest a list of popular, related queries. You might see "closet organization," "closet makeover," "closet organization ideas," and "closet tour."

These aren't random guesses. They are the most popular searches people are making that begin with the word "closet." This list is a goldmine of proven keywords, giving you immediate insight into what your target audience is curious about. Turn each of these suggestions into video ideas and use them as your primary keywords.

2. Analyze the "Others searched for" Section

Once you’ve completed a search, there's another hidden gem waiting for you on the results page. After searching for "closet organization," scroll down past a few videos. You'll find a section called "Others searched for."

Here, TikTok shows you other related terms that users frequently look up. You might find things like "small closet hacks," "decluttering tips," or "affordable closet systems." This is incredibly useful for finding supplementary or "long-tail" keywords. You can use these in your captions or as inspiration for a series of new videos covering different angles of the same topic.

3. Scout the Comment Sections of Popular Videos

Your potential audience is telling you what they want to see every single day - you just have to listen. Seek out the most popular videos in your niche (filter search results by "Most liked" to find them quickly) and dive into the comments.

Scan for questions. People will literally spell out their next search query:

• In a video about making sourdough bread, you might see comments like, "How do you feed a sourdough starter?" or "What's the best temperature for proofing?"
• In a review of a new tech gadget, you might find, "Does the battery last all day?" or "How does it compare to [competitor product]?"

These questions are pure keyword gold. They represent gaps in knowledge that people are actively trying to fill. Create videos that answer these exact questions, and make sure to use the language from the comment itself in your on-screen text, caption, and spoken audio. You’re meeting a proven need directly.

Go Deeper with TikTok's Official Tools

While the app itself is a fantastic starting point, TikTok provides more advanced, free tools that can level up your keyword strategy and give you a data-backed edge.

Explore a Game-Changer: The TikTok Creative Center

The TikTok Creative Center is a powerhouse resource designed for advertisers but completely free for creators. One of its most powerful features is the Keyword Insights tool.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Visit the Creative Center website and navigate to the "Trends" tab, then select "Keyword Insights."
2. Enter a general keyword for your industry (e.g., "fitness," "digital marketing," "meal prep").
3. See the magic happen. The tool will show you:
   • Popularity trends: See a graph of how popular that keyword has been over the past 7, 30, or 120 days.
   • Related Keywords: A list of other keywords that users also search for, often with their popularity index.
   • Audience Interests: Discover what other topics the audience searching for your keyword is interested in.
   • Top Videos: See real examples of high-performing videos that are currently using that keyword effectively.

This information is far more powerful than just guessing. It allows you to spot rising trends before they peak, find underserved keyword opportunities, and see exactly what kind of content is resonating with your target audience.

How to Strategically Use Your Keywords in Videos

Finding the right keywords is just the first step. You need to integrate them seamlessly into your content to get the full benefit. Focus on these four key places:

1. In Your On-Screen Text & Hooks

TikTok is smart enough to "read" the text that appears in your video. The first 1-3 seconds are your most valuable real estate, so place your primary keyword right there as the hook. This not only grabs the viewer’s attention but also immediately tells the algorithm what your video is about.

• Good: Watch me cook dinner.
• Better: The easiest 15-minute pasta recipe.

Clear, keyword-driven hooks are powerful signals for both humans and the algorithm.

2. In Your Spoken Words (and Captions)

Just like it reads text, TikTok's algorithm processes audio by transcribing what you say through its auto-generated captions. Mention your target keywords naturally in your voiceover or while speaking to the camera. If you say, "Today, I’m showing you the best way to clean your makeup brushes," the algorithm will pick up on the keyword phrase "clean your makeup brushes." This reinforces what your video is about and also improves its accessibility for viewers watching without sound.

3. In Your Video Caption

Your caption (the text description below your video) is another prime location for keywords. Don't just stuff it with hashtags - write a short, descriptive sentence or two that naturally includes your target keyword and a secondary, related one.

• Bad Caption: Fun day out! #travel #vlog #fun
• Good Caption: A must-see hidden gem in Rome! Here’s what you need to know about visiting the Borghese Gallery for perfect family travel photos. #rometravel #hiddengems #borghesegallery

The good caption uses the primary keyword "hidden gem in Rome" and the secondary keyword "family travel photos," giving the algorithm much more context.

4. In Your Hashtags

Hashtags are direct signals, but more isn't better. The consensus is to use 3-5 relevant hashtags. A smart strategy is to use a mix:

• 1-2 Broad Hashtags: These are high-volume tags that describe your overall category (e.g., #gardening, #personalfinance).
• 1-2 Niche Hashtags: These are more specific to your community (e.g., #containergardening, #debtfreejourney). They have lower volume but a more targeted audience.
• 1 Trendy/Video-Specific Hashtag: If your video ties into a current sound or challenge, include it. Otherwise, use another specific descriptive hashtag (e.g., #tomatogrowingtips).

Final Thoughts

Mastering TikTok keywords isn't about finding a rare "secret" word but about consistently listening to your target audience. Use the search bar for quick ideas, explore comments to understand user problems, and lean on the Creative Center to gain a data-driven advantage. A good keyword strategy turns your creative content into discoverable assets that the algorithm knows exactly how to deliver.

We know that as soon as you find your winning keywords, the next crucial step is organizing those ideas into a consistent posting schedule. We built the visual calendar in Postbase for that exact reason - to give you a clean, intuitive space to plan all your TikToks, Reels, and Shorts in one place. It lets you step back and see your whole strategy at a glance, making it much easier to turn your keyword research into a repeatable workflow that drives real results.