Get FREE Training Workshop from John Crestani
John Crestani has been recognized by Forbes, Business Insider, Entepreneur.com, and dozens of other publications for his success online. More importantly, he’s helped thousands of everyday people from around the world create success for themselves as well.
How do hashtags work on TikTok?
Hashtags on TikTok are an essential part of content discovery and engagement. They help categorize videos, making it easier for users to find content that interests them. Hashtags also play a significant role in TikTok’s algorithm by boosting visibility, participating in trends, and increasing the chances of a video going viral. Here’s how hashtags work on TikTok:
1. Content Discovery
- Organize Content: Hashtags act as a way to organize content into themes, topics, or challenges. When users search for a hashtag, they are presented with a feed of videos that have used that specific hashtag. For example, using a hashtag like #Fitness will show all videos related to fitness content.
- Reach New Audiences: By including relevant hashtags in your video captions, you increase the chances of your content being discovered by users who are interested in those topics. Hashtags help your videos reach a broader audience beyond just your followers.
2. Trending Hashtags and Challenges
- Trending Hashtags: TikTok frequently features trending hashtags, which are hashtags associated with viral content or challenges. These can be related to specific events, viral memes, songs, or movements. Participating in a trending hashtag can give your video a boost and increase its visibility on the For You Page (FYP).
- Hashtag Challenges: Many TikTok trends revolve around hashtag challenges, where users are encouraged to create their own versions of a particular action or theme. For example, the #InMyFeelingsChallenge involved users dancing to a specific song. Participating in or creating a hashtag challenge can help your content go viral.
3. Hashtags and TikTok’s Algorithm
- Increased Visibility: Hashtags help TikTok’s algorithm understand what your content is about. If you use relevant and popular hashtags, TikTok is more likely to show your video to users interested in that topic or trend.
- For You Page (FYP): Hashtags are a key factor in determining whether your video appears on the For You Page, where TikTok displays content that it thinks users will engage with based on their interests. Videos with trending or niche hashtags have a higher chance of landing on the FYP.
- Content Relevance: The algorithm uses hashtags to gauge the relevance of your content. For instance, if you post a fashion video and use the hashtag #FashionTok, TikTok will categorize your video as fashion-related, helping it reach users interested in fashion content.
4. Hashtag Best Practices
- Use Relevant Hashtags: Ensure that your hashtags are closely related to the content you’re posting. Irrelevant or spammy hashtags (e.g., using a trending hashtag that doesn’t relate to your content) can hurt your reach and reputation on TikTok.
- Mix Popular and Niche Hashtags: A good strategy is to use a combination of high-volume (popular) hashtags and niche hashtags. Popular hashtags may give you a broader reach, while niche hashtags target a more specific audience.
- Popular Hashtags: #TikTok, #Viral, #FYP (For You Page), #Trending, #Dance
- Niche Hashtags: #HealthyEating, #PetCare, #MinimalistStyle
- Create a Branded Hashtag: For businesses or personal brands, creating a branded hashtag is a great way to encourage user-generated content (UGC). For example, if you’re promoting a new product, you can create a unique hashtag for users to share their experiences or use in challenges.
- Limit the Number of Hashtags: While TikTok allows you to add multiple hashtags, it’s best to avoid overloading your caption with too many. Aim for around 3-5 hashtags that are relevant and impactful.
5. Hashtags in Captions
- Add Hashtags in Captions: You can include hashtags in the caption of your video to help categorize it. Try to place them towards the end of the caption to keep the main message clear and readable.
- Hashtags in Comments: You can also add hashtags in the comments, although TikTok prioritizes the hashtags in the original post caption. Using both methods can increase visibility but should be done in moderation.
6. Hashtags in TikTok Ads
- Branded Hashtags in Ads: TikTok also offers advertisers the option to use branded hashtags within ads. Branded Hashtag Challenges, for example, encourage users to participate in a specific challenge by creating content around a particular hashtag.
- Boosting Hashtag Performance: TikTok ads can boost the visibility of specific hashtags by promoting them in the app, making them more discoverable to users.
7. Hashtags and Community Building
- Build a Community: Hashtags allow creators to find like-minded users who share similar interests. By using consistent and niche hashtags, you can attract followers who are specifically interested in your content, fostering a loyal and engaged community.
- Engagement and Interaction: Hashtags encourage users to interact with your content through comments, shares, and likes. Participating in trending hashtags or challenges often prompts other users to engage with your video.
Tips for Using Hashtags on TikTok:
- Stay relevant: Only use hashtags that are directly related to your content to reach the right audience.
- Incorporate trending hashtags: If appropriate, use trending hashtags to increase your chances of going viral, but don’t force them into unrelated content.
- Use a mix of hashtags: Combine both broad, popular hashtags and more specific, niche ones to target a wider audience while also catering to a dedicated group of followers.
- Monitor your performance: Pay attention to which hashtags drive the most engagement for your videos and adjust your hashtag strategy accordingly.
- Be creative: Consider creating your own branded hashtag to build a unique community around your content or business.
Conclusion:
Hashtags on TikTok are essential for content discovery and helping your videos reach a larger audience. By using relevant, trending, and niche hashtags strategically, you can improve your visibility, participate in viral challenges, and increase your chances of appearing on the For You Page. Using a mix of popular and specific hashtags, along with creating branded hashtags for your business, can help you maximize your reach and engagement on the platform.