How to Get More Likes on TikTok Hashtags

Getting your TikTok videos seen by the right people stands between you and more likes, and hashtags are the invisible threads that connect your content to that audience. This guide breaks down exactly how to find and use the right TikTok hashtags to boost your visibility and earn more engagement. We’ll show you how to build a smart hashtag strategy, find the perfect tags for your niche, and avoid common mistakes that could be holding you back.

Why Hashtags Are Your Secret Weapon on TikTok

On TikTok, hashtags do more than just label your content - they tell the algorithm who needs to see it. Think of them as sorting instructions for the massive For You Page (FYP) delivery system. When you use a hashtag like #veganrecipes, you're signaling to TikTok that your video should be shown to users who watch, like, and engage with other vegan cooking content. This process is your single best tool for getting discovered by a new, interested audience.

Here’s how it works behind the scenes:

• Categorization: TikTok's algorithm analyzes your video's visuals, audio, and caption to understand its topic. Hashtags are a powerful, direct signal that confirms what your content is about, which helps the algorithm categorize it accurately. A well-categorized video is more likely to be served to the right viewers.
• Discovery: Users actively search for and follow hashtags they're interested in. If someone follows #booktok, your video using that hashtag has a chance of appearing directly in their feed and search results, even if they don’t follow you.
• Trend Participation: Trending challenges, sounds, and memes are almost always tied to a specific hashtag. Using the correct trend hashtag signals that you're joining the conversation, giving your video an immediate visibility boost by association.

In short, a great hashtag strategy isn't about gaming the system, it's about giving the algorithm perfect directions to find your ideal audience.

The Perfect Hashtag Cocktail: Mixing for Maximum Reach

The biggest mistake creators make is using only massive, generic hashtags like #fyp or #viral. While these have billions of views, they are also incredibly competitive. Your video is a tiny fish in a massive ocean, and it will quickly get buried. A successful strategy involves blending different types of hashtags to reach both broad and specific audiences.

Aim for a mix of 3-5 hashtags per video, pulling from the categories below.

1. Broad or Popular Hashtags (Use 1, maybe 2)

These are the giants of the TikTok world with hundreds of millions or billions of views. They cast a massive net but don't target anyone in particular.

• Examples: #tiktok, #fyp, #foryoupage, #viral
• Purpose: To give your video an initial push into the general algorithm. It can be useful, but it’s high-volume and high-competition. Don’t rely solely on these.
• When to Use: Add one to your caption if your content has a very wide appeal that could potentially interest anyone.

2. Niche Hashtags (Use 2-3)

This is where the real growth happens. Niche hashtags connect you with a smaller, but highly engaged and passionate audience that is actively looking for content like yours.

• Examples: #smallbusinessowner, #dndmemes, #midcenturymodernhome, #airfryerrecipes
• Purpose: To attract an audience that is way more likely to watch your entire video, like it, comment, and follow you. These viewers are worth more because they are genuinely interested in your specific topic.
• When to Use: Always. Every video should have at least two hashtags that define its specific audience or topic. A person searching for #airfryerrecipes is already primed to like your content.

3. Trending Hashtags (Use 1 when relevant)

These are tied to current challenges, sounds, or events on the platform. Hopping on a trend gives you a chance to ride a wave of attention.

• Examples: These change daily! They might be related to a new sound, a meme format (like #grwm for "get ready with me"), or a specific challenge.
• Purpose: To boost your video's immediate discoverability by tapping into what’s currently popular on the app.
• How to Find Them: Check the "For You" page or the Discover tab (often labeled "Trends") to see what sounds and hashtags are currently blowing up. Only use a trending hashtag if your video genuinely fits the trend.

4. Branded Hashtags (Use 1 when applicable)

A branded hashtag is unique to your business or your community. It’s a great way to group all of your content and encourage user-generated content (UGC).

• Examples: #YourBrandChallenge or #YourBusinessName.
• Purpose: To build a community and create a gallery of content related to your brand. When others use your hashtag, they are doing marketing for you.
• When to Use: Use it consistently on your own posts, and encourage your followers to use it in challenges, giveaways, or when showing off your products.

How to Find Winning Hashtags: A Practical Guide

Finding the right hashtags doesn't have to be a guessing game. Use TikTok's own tools to do your research and build a reliable strategy.

Step 1: Start with the Search Bar

The TikTok search bar is your best friend. Start typing a keyword related to your video. For example, if your video is about organizing a small kitchen:

1. Type "kitchen organization" into the search bar.
2. Tap over to the "Hashtags" tab.
3. TikTok will show you a list of related hashtags and the number of views for each one. You'll see things like:
   • #kitchenorganization (billions of views - a bit broad)
   • #kitchenhacks (billions of views - another broad one)
   • #smallkitchenorganization (millions of views - getting warmer!)
   • #kitchenorganizingideas (millions of views - perfect niche tag)

Look for tags in the "sweet spot" - those with tens of thousands to a few million views. These are popular enough to have an audience but not so massive that your video will be instantly buried.

Step 2: Analyze What's Working for Others

Your "competitors" (or creators in your niche) are a goldmine of information. Don't copy them blindly, but do pay attention to what's working.

• Find 5-10 accounts in your niche that are getting good engagement.
• Scroll through their most popular videos.
• Take note of the hashtags they use consistently. Are there specific niche tags you see over and over? Do they mix broad and specific tags in a certain way?

This process will help you understand the language of your community and what hashtags are already proven to work for your target audience.

Step 3: Create Hashtag "Sets"

To save time and stay consistent, build pre-made lists of hashtags for your main content topics. If you're a fitness creator, you might have sets for different types of videos:

• Workout Tutorial Set: #athomeworkout #workouttutorial #dumbbellworkout #fitnesstips
• Meal Prep Set: #mealprepideas #healthyrecipes #highproteinmeals #foodtok
• Motivation Set: #fitnessmotivation #gymtok #workoutmotivation #selfdiscipline

Store these in a notes app on your phone. When you're ready to post, you can quickly copy and paste the most relevant set and customize it for that specific video. Easy.

Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

Using hashtags incorrectly can be worse than not using them at all. Here are a few traps to sidestep:

• Irrelevant Tagging: Don't use #comedy on a video that isn't funny just because the tag is popular. This will confuse the algorithm, lead to low watch time from disappointed viewers, and ultimately hurt your video's performance.
• Information Overload: Filling your caption with dozens of hashtags is messy and ineffective. The algorithm works best with a few highly relevant signals. Stick to that sweet spot of 3-5 well-chosen hashtags.
• Forgetting About the Content: The best hashtags in the world can't save a boring video. Your content is the main attraction. Hashtags are just the signposts that lead people to it. Focus on creating engaging, high-quality video first. A great video with so-so hashtags will always outperform a bad video with perfect hashtags.
• Putting Hashtags in the Comments: There's a persistent myth that placing hashtags in the comments section works as a clever workaround. It doesn’t. For the algorithm to properly categorize and distribute your video, your hashtags need to be in the video's caption when you publish.

Hashtags Only Amplify What's Already Good

Ultimately, likes are a measure of how much someone enjoyed your content. Hashtags get you the eyeballs, but your video has to do the heavy lifting from there. Before you stress about finding the perfect tag, make sure your content is worth watching.

• Hook them early: You have about three seconds to convince someone to stop scrolling. Start your video with a bold statement, a compelling question, or immediate action.
• Provide value: Your video should either teach something, make someone laugh, inspire them, or entertain them. Give viewers a reason to appreciate what you made.
• Tell a story: Even in 15 seconds, a simple story with a beginning, middle, and end is far more compelling than a random clip.
• Ask for the like: Sometimes, the easiest way to get what you want is to ask for it. A simple on-screen text overlay or voiceover like, "Like this video if you learned something new!" can significantly increase your like count.

Final Thoughts

Mastering TikTok hashtags is about being strategic, not just stuffing your caption. By using a calculated mix of broad, niche, and trending tags, you provide clear signals to the algorithm to connect your videos with the people who will actually enjoy them - and hit that like button.

A consistent content strategy is so much easier when you can see your plan at a glance. We built Postbase to make that happen. With our visual calendar, you can plan your TikToks alongside your other social content, create hashtag sets for different pillars, and schedule everything in one place. It helps you stay organized so you can focus on creating great videos instead of just managing them.