How to Use Hashtags on TikTok to Go Viral

Using the right hashtags on TikTok can be the difference between your masterpiece getting a handful of views and it landing on millions of For You Pages. This strategy isn't about guessing or just copying trends, it's about giving the algorithm the exact signals it needs to find your perfect audience. This guide breaks down exactly how to find, choose, and combine hashtags to help your videos go viral.

So, Why Are TikTok Hashtags Still So Important?

TikTok's algorithm is incredibly sophisticated at figuring out what a video is about and who might want to see it. Hashtags are one of the most direct ways you can feed information to that algorithm. Think of them as signposts that categorize your content and guide it to the right viewers.

Here's what they do:

• Categorization: Hashtags tell TikTok what's in your video. A tag like #ikeahack instantly groups your content with similar DIY and home decor videos. This helps the algorithm understand context very quickly.
• Discoverability: Users actively search for content using hashtags. If someone is looking for "easy dinner recipes," they'll likely search for #easydinners or #quickrecipes. Using these tags gives your video a chance to show up in those search results.
• Community Building: Niche hashtags connect you with passionate communities. Using #BookTok doesn't just categorize your video, it places you squarely within one of TikTok's most powerful and engaged subcultures, full of people who are looking for exactly what you're posting.
• Trend Participation: Jumping on a trending hashtag or challenge is one of the fastest ways to get a temporary boost in visibility. It signals to the algorithm that your content is timely and relevant to what millions of people are watching right now.

Simply put, a video with no hashtags is a video that TikTok has to work hard to understand. A video with smart hashtags gets a fast pass to interested viewers.

The Anatomy of a Winning Hashtag Strategy

The best approach isn't to just slap #fyp on your video and hope for the best. A smart strategy uses a mix of different hashtag types to maximize reach and hit the right audience. Think of it as a layered approach that gives you the best of all worlds.

Level 1: Broad, High-Volume Hashtags

These are the giants of the hashtag world, often with billions of views. They are very general and describe a wide category.

• Examples: #tiktok, #viralvideo, #comedy, #diy, #trending
• Purpose: Their primary function is to cast a wide net and signal a very general content category to the algorithm. While using #fyp or #foryou won't magically land you on the For You Page, it helps tell the algorithm that your goal is broad reach.
• How to Use Them: Use 1-2 of these per video. Don't rely on them exclusively, because the competition is immense. Your video on making sourdough bread will be competing with millions of other videos under #diy. They're a good foundation, but not the whole structure.

Level 2: Niche-Specific Hashtags

This is where you start finding your people. These hashtags are more specific to your industry, hobby, or community. They have fewer competing videos but a much more dedicated audience.

• Examples: #smallbusinessowner, #graphicdesigntips, #crochetersoftiktok, #filmphotography, #plantbasedrecipes
• Purpose: To connect with a highly engaged audience that is actively looking for content just like yours. A viewer interested in #filmphotography is much more likely to watch your entire video, engage with it, and follow you than a random person scrolling the general #fyp feed.
• How to Use Them: These should make up the core of your strategy. Aim for 2-3 niche hashtags per video. This is how you build a loyal following, not just get fleeting views.

Level 3: Video-Specific Hashtags

These are the most targeted hashtags. They describe exactly what is happening in your specific video. They have the lowest volume but are hyper-relevant.

• Examples: #unboxingnewcamera, #howtomakefocaccia, #thrifthaulfinds, #catplayingwithbox
• Purpose: To provide the algorithm with precise detail. When a user has a specific need, they'll use a specific search. These hashtags help you appear in those very targeted searches, attracting viewers with high intent.
• How to Use Them: Add 1-2 of these to describe the video's content precisely. This helps clarify the subject matter beyond what your broader hashtags indicate.

Special Mention: Branded and Trending Hashtags

Beyond the core three levels, keep these two types in your toolkit.

• Trending Hashtags: These are tied to current challenges, memes, or events (#BridgertonChallenge, #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt). Using them can give your video a quick burst of visibility, but only if your content genuinely fits the trend. Forcing it feels inauthentic and usually doesn't work.
• Branded Hashtags: This is a hashtag unique to your brand or a specific campaign (e.g., #PostbaseTips). Its main goal isn't immediate virality but long-term brand building. It creates a hub where all your content, and hopefully user-generated content, can live. Encourage followers to use it to create a community around your brand.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding the Perfect Hashtags

Now that you know the different types, how do you find the right ones for your next video? Here's a simple workflow.

Step 1: Start with a Brainstorm

Before you even open TikTok, think about your video. Ask yourself:

• Who is my ideal viewer for this video? (e.g., first-time bakers, freelance designers, cat owners)
• What is the core topic? (e.g., banana bread, logo design tutorial, funny cat moments)
• What unique problem does it solve or what emotion does it evoke? (e.g., "easy breakfast recipe," "photoshop trick," "relatable work moment")

Jot down a list of keywords and phrases related to your answers. This is your raw material.

Step 2: Use TikTok's Search Function

This is your most powerful research tool. Open the TikTok app and go to the search bar.

1. Type in your core keyword (e.g., "sourdough").
2. Tap over to the "Hashtags" tab. TikTok will show you a list of related hashtags and, most importantly, the number of views each one has.
3. Look for the sweet spot. Don't just pick the one with the most views. A tag with 500 million views (#sourdough) is a good niche tag, but a tag with 50 million views (#sourdoughforbeginners) is even better because it's more specific and less competitive. The viewer searching for the second term is much more qualified for your content.

Collect a list of potential broad, niche, and specific hashtags from this research.

Step 3: Analyze Competitors and Niche Leaders

Find 5-10 successful creators in your niche - people whose content you admire and whose audience you want to attract. Don't just copy their hashtags blindly. Instead, analyze what they're doing:

• What niche tags do they use consistently? (#thriftflip, #woodworking)
• How do they describe specific videos? (#paintingakichen, #buildingadesk)
• Do they combine high-volume and low-volume tags?

This process will reveal patterns and show you which tags are already proven to work within your community. Add the best ones to your list.

Step 4: Build Your Hashtag Mix

Now, assemble your final list for your video caption. A great starting point is the 2+3+1 Formula:

• 2 Broad Hashtags: To signal your general category for wide reach. (e.g., #diyproject, #homerenovation)
• 3 Niche Hashtags: To attract your ideal community. (e.g., #ikeahacks, #furnitureflip, #diytiktok)
• 1 Video-Specific Hashtag: To describe the core content precisely. (e.g., #billybookcasehack)

Sticking to around 3-6 well-chosen hashtags is typically more effective than spamming your caption with 20 irrelevant ones. Quality always trumps quantity here.

TikTok Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Avoid these common pitfalls.

• Using Irrelevant Trending Tags: Don't try to cram a trending hashtag into a video where it makes no sense. Users find it annoying, and the algorithm is smart enough to know when content doesn't match the tag, which can hurt your video's performance.
• Using the Same Hashtag Block on Every Video: Copy-pasting the same 5-6 hashtags for every post can look spammy to the algorithm and limit your reach. Tailor your hashtags to what's in each specific video.
• Only Using Massive Hashtags: Relying solely on hashtags with billions of views, like #fyp, #viral, and #foryou, is like shouting into a hurricane. Your content will be buried instantly. You need niche tags to find a real footing.
• Using Banned or Broken Hashtags: Some hashtags have been restricted by TikTok. Using them can throttle your video's reach. A quick search for "banned TikTok hashtags" online can help you steer clear of them.
• Putting Hashtags in the Comments: This is a myth. For the algorithm to use them effectively, your hashtags need to be in the video's caption (description) when you post.

Final Thoughts

Crafting a powerful hashtag strategy isn't about finding a single "magic" tag, but about creating a thoughtful mix that tells the TikTok algorithm exactly who needs to see your video. By combining broad, niche, and video-specific tags, you can dramatically improve your content's visibility and connect with an audience that genuinely loves what you do.

Executing this sort of consistent social strategy takes planning, and that is much easier when you're not juggling multiple apps. That's why we designed an all-in-one planning calendar at Postbase that lets you schedule your TikToks right alongside your Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. We've found that being able to prepare everything in one place - the video, caption, and hashtags - ahead of time saves hours and eliminates the daily scramble, helping you post more consistently and stay on top of your content game.