How to Search Hashtags on TikTok

Searching for hashtags on TikTok is your secret weapon for getting discovered, seeing what your competitors are up to, and finding the next big trend before it blows up. This guide covers four different methods you can use today, from quick and easy searches within the app to pro-level data analysis that will give you a serious edge.

Why Bother Searching for TikTok Hashtags?

Before getting into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." You're not just looking for random tags to slap onto your videos. Smart hashtag research helps you accomplish four major goals that are fundamental for growing your brand on social media.

• Audience Discovery: Hashtags function like a filing system for content. When you use a relevant hashtag, you’re telling the TikTok algorithm who should see your video. A user who follows or engages with content under #socialmediamarketing is far more likely to see your video if you use that tag. It's the most direct way to get a video in front of your ideal audience.
• Trend Spotting: TikTok moves fast. A sound or a challenge that's popular today might be old news next week. Searching for trending hashtags is one of the best ways to see what formats, sounds, and topics are capturing attention right now, allowing you to create relevant content that rides the wave of current conversations.
• Competitive Analysis: Wondering how similar accounts get so many views? Their hashtags are public information. By analyzing the hashtags used by leaders in your niche, you can reverse-engineer their strategy. You'll see which tags they use consistently, how they mix broad and specific terms, and what's driving their visibility.
• Community Building: Hashtags aren't just for broad reach, they're for finding your people. Using niche hashtags like #shopifydev or #vintagehomedecor connects you with smaller, more passionate communities. These are the followers who are more likely to engage, comment, and become loyal fans of your brand.

Method 1: The Direct Search Inside the App

This is the fastest and most straightforward way to look up a hashtag on TikTok. It’s perfect for quickly checking the popularity of a hashtag you're thinking about using or for getting a quick burst of inspiration.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the App and Tap the Search Icon: When you open TikTok, look for the magnifying glass icon located in the top right corner of your screen. This takes you to the TikTok Discover page.
2. Type Your Hashtag in the Search Bar: At the top of the Discover page is a search bar. Start typing the keyword or phrase you have in mind. Don't forget to include the "#" symbol at the beginning. As you type, TikTok will start autofilling suggestions.
3. Select the 'Hashtags' Tab: After you hit search, your results will be spread across several tabs: Top, Users, Videos, Sounds, LIVE, and of course, Hashtags. Tap on the Hashtags tab to filter the results and only see relevant hashtags.
4. Analyze the Results List: You'll now see a list of hashtags related to your search term. Next to each hashtag, you'll see a crucial piece of information: the number of total views associated with it. For example, search for #smallbusiness and you might see related tags like #smallbusinessowner or #smallbusinesstips, each with its own view count.

When to use this method: Use the direct search when you have a specific hashtag in mind and want to gauge its size. Is it a massive tag with billions of views or a smaller, more niche one? This method gives you that information in seconds.

Its limitation: While you can see the view count, you don't get much context. It tells you a hashtag is popular, but it doesn't immediately show you the types of videos that perform well under that tag. For that, you’ll want to try our next method.

Method 2: Let the For You Page Be Your Guide

Sometimes, the best research doesn't feel like research at all. Your For You Page (FYP) is a constantly evolving treasure trove of data, perfectly curated to your interests. If you spend time engaging with content in your niche, the algorithm will start showing you what’s working for others.

This method is all about mindful scrolling. Instead of just passively consuming content, you’re actively analyzing it.

How to Do It:

1. Scroll Your FYP with Intent: Spend 15-20 minutes a day scrolling through your For You Page. When a video pops up that’s relevant to your niche or brand, pause and take a closer look.
2. Inspect the Hashtags: Look at the creator's video caption. What hashtags did they use? Are they broad (e.g., #marketing) or specific (e.g., #emailmarketingstrategy)? Are they using trending hashtags?
3. Tap on a Hashtag to Explore: If you see a particularly relevant hashtag, tap on it directly from the video caption. TikTok will take you to that hashtag's dedicated content page.
4. Study the Hashtag Page: On this page, you’ll see the top-performing videos for that hashtag. This is where you strike gold. Ask yourself:
   • What do these top videos have in common?
   • Are they using a particular sound?
   • Is there a certain format (e.g., a "point-to-text" video, a tutorial, a "day in the life" clip) that dominates?
   • What's the overall tone - is it humorous, educational, or inspirational?

When to use this method: This approach is ideal for understanding the context behind a hashtag. It's not just about finding popular tags, it's about seeing successful examples of how to create content for those tags and how your audience responds to them.

Method 3: Analyze Competitors and Niche Leaders

Why reinvent the wheel? Other brands and creators in your space have already done much of the hard work for you. By studying the pages of successful accounts, you can learn what works for reaching the exact same audience you’re trying to attract.

The Strategy:

1. Identify Your Key Players: Make a list of 5-10 accounts on TikTok that are popular within your niche. This includes direct competitors as well as influential creators in your industry whom your target customers follow.
2. Go to Their Profiles: Visit each account’s profile page directly. Scroll through their recent uploads and, most importantly, check their most popular videos (you can often spot these by the higher view counts).
3. Document Their Hashtag Choices: Pay close attention to the hashtags they use on their highest-performing content. Look for patterns.
   • Are they always using a couple of the same, broad hashtags?
   • Do they have a set of niche-specific tags they use to attract a targeted fan base?
   • Did they hop on any particular trends that went viral?
4. Look for the "Mix": The best creators don't just use one type of hashtag. They often use a strategic blend: one or two very large hashtags for reach (#entrepreneur), a few niche tags for relevance (#contentcreationtips), and maybe a unique branded tag to build their own community.

When to use this method: This is a brand-building strategy. It helps you understand what established authorities are doing, setting an effective benchmark for your own strategy and helping you find opportunities they might be overlooking. This intel is incredibly valuable for shaping your own content calendar.

Method 4: Go Pro with the TikTok Creative Center

If you're ready to move beyond the app and use a professional-grade tool, look no further than TikTok's own Creative Center. This is a free platform from TikTok designed for advertisers and brands, but it's loaded with trend insights and data anyone can use to grow organically.

Finding Trending Hashtags:

1. Navigate to the Creative Center: Open your web browser and go to the TikTok Creative Center. You don't need an ad account to access the trend data.
2. Go to the Trend Discovery Section: On the main menu, click on the Trends tab. From the dropdown, select Hashtags.
3. Filter by Region and Industry: This is where the magic happens. You can filter the results to see what hashtags are trending in a specific country and over a certain period (last 7, 30, or 120 days). You can even filter by your industry, such as "Apparel & Accessories" or "Beauty & Personal Care."
4. Analyze the Data-Rich Results: The Creative Center shows you more than just popular hashtags. You’ll get a chart showing a hashtag's popularity over time, allowing you to spot breakout tags that are just starting to gain momentum. You’ll also see audience insights and related videos so you can see exactly how the tag is being used.

When to use this method: Use the Creative Center when you're planning your content a few weeks in advance. It helps you anticipate and incorporate rising trends before they peak. This proactive, data-driven approach helps successful creators grow their accounts.

Final Thoughts

Searching for hashtags on TikTok isn’t about finding one perfect tag, it's about developing a strategy that uses a mix of discovery methods that work for your audience and your brand. By combining quick in-app searches, insights from your FYP, and data from the Creative Center, you can turn hashtags from simple video decorations into a powerful business growth tool.

Once you've done your research and nailed down a hashtag strategy, you need a smart way to put it into practice without spending all day on the app. At Postbase, we designed our platform to make it simple. Our visual calendar allows you to plan your content in advance, add your video, customize hashtags and captions for each post, and schedule exactly when you want everything to go live. This frees you up to work on what matters most: creating great videos.