Ultimate TikTok Hashtags Guide: Maximize Your Views and Engagement
Enhance your TikTok marketing strategy by leveraging the most effective hashtags tailored to your unique niche categories.
TikTok hashtags have taken the digital world by storm, propelling the platform to become the fastest-growing social media network globally. Since its launch in 2016, TikTok has amassed a staggering user base, with predictions estimating 1.8 billion active users by the end of 2022—accounting for more than one-fifth of the global population.
As TikTok dominates the online content landscape, entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners are racing to harness its potential. At the heart of this pursuit lies the secret weapon: hashtags. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the essentials of using TikTok hashtags to build your brand and maximize engagement.
What We’ll Cover:
- How to Monetize TikTok
- Understanding TikTok Hashtags
- Finding Trending TikTok Hashtags
- Effective TikTok Marketing Tips
With its highly personalized algorithm, vibrant niche communities, and user-friendly short-form video tools, TikTok provides endless opportunities for creators to connect with their audience. As online video content is predicted to account for over 82% of consumer internet traffic in 2022, now is the perfect time to dive into TikTok marketing and master the art of leveraging hashtags.
Shall we expand on this and include actionable tips for discovering and using hashtags effectively?
How to make money on TikTok
If you want to shine and make money on TikTok, your content needs to capture attention instantly, stand out in a sea of creators, and maintain high engagement. The secret lies in crafting unique, high-quality videos and pairing them with the perfect hashtags to propel your posts to the top of the For You page.
TikTok has become a powerful revenue stream for Print on Demand merchants, content creators, media entrepreneurs, and online marketers. Whether you’re selling products, creating viral content, or collaborating with brands, TikTok offers multiple ways to monetize your efforts.
While mastering TikTok hashtags is crucial, here’s a quick recap of seven ways to make money on TikTok:
- Advertise your merchandise – Promote your products to TikTok’s massive audience.
- Join the TikTok Creator Fund – Earn money based on video performance.
- Livestream for donations – Receive gifts from viewers during live streams.
- Promote sponsors or brand deals – Collaborate with brands for sponsored content.
- Manage TikTok influencers – Help brands connect with influencers for campaigns.
- Sell high-follower accounts – Build and trade TikTok profiles with large audiences.
- Participate in the TikTok Creator Marketplace – Gain partnerships with brands directly on TikTok.
The TikTok Creator Fund
The TikTok Creator Fund is a primary income source for many TikTokers. To qualify, you need to:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Reside in the US or its territories.
- Have at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 unique video views in 30 days.
- Adhere to TikTok’s community guidelines.
Creators earn approximately 2–4 cents per 1,000 views. While this may require higher view counts compared to YouTube for substantial revenue, TikTok’s short-form content format makes it easier to produce engaging, niche-specific videos.
Tips for Growing Your TikTok Earnings
To succeed on TikTok, focus on:
- Consistency: Post regularly to maintain visibility.
- Timing: Upload during high-traffic periods.
- Audience targeting: Define your niche to attract the right viewers.
- Hashtags: Combine niche-specific and trending TikTok hashtags to enhance reach.
Why Hashtags Matter
Hashtags are essential for TikTok’s algorithm to connect your content with relevant users. They help define your niche and allow your videos to appear in front of viewers whose preferences align with your content. Build your TikTok profile by leveraging trending and targeted hashtags, optimizing your bio, and engaging with your audience.
Start developing your brand and let TikTok’s powerful algorithm work in your favor to grow your followers, boost engagement, and maximize your earnings!
TikTok hashtags – How do they work?
The TikTok algorithm creates personalized "For You" pages (FYP) tailored to each user’s unique preferences. By analyzing various data points, TikTok ensures users see content that aligns with their interests, keeping them engaged for extended periods.
Although the algorithm’s full workings remain undisclosed, TikTok has revealed that it weighs three primary categories to determine relevance:
- Account Settings: Includes language preferences, user location, device type, and other profile-specific data.
- Content Engagement: Tracks interactions like video completions, watch time, likes, comments, shares, and follows.
- Video Information: Analyzes captions, keywords, hashtags, and audiovisual elements used in your content.
Among these factors, some—like video completion rates—are prioritized over others, such as location, to optimize viewer retention.
The Role of Hashtags in TikTok’s Algorithm
TikTok hashtags act as community tags, connecting users with similar interests and allowing marketers to tap into niche networks. For example:
- #BusinessTok: Entrepreneurs share advice and growth strategies.
- #BrandTok: Marketing professionals exchange tips and insights.
By selecting the right hashtags for your niche, you can amplify your reach and grow your audience organically. While your existing followers already see your content, relevant hashtags ensure it’s exposed to new viewers interested in similar topics.
How to find trending hashtags on TikTok
To effectively use TikTok hashtags, it’s essential to focus on those that are relevant to your content and niche. While broad, trending hashtags like #ForYou, #Funny, and #Trending may have their place, recent updates show TikTok is increasingly prioritizing niche-specific tags that cater to targeted audiences.
The shift away from general, popular hashtags towards more personalized niches means your hashtag strategy needs to evolve to attract the right viewers. Here’s how to find the best TikTok hashtags for your posts:
1.Explore the Platform for Hashtags
Start by using TikTok’s search bar to explore topics related to your content. In the Hashtags section, focus on those with high view counts that are actively generating buzz. This will give you insight into which hashtags are popular and which ones are gaining traction in your specific niche.
2.Use TikTok’s Hashtag Suggestions
When adding hashtags to your video description, TikTok’s dropdown menu will suggest top trending hashtags based on your content. These can serve as a valuable starting point for selecting relevant hashtags that resonate with current trends.
3.Analyze Audience Preferences
Research what hashtags are trending within your target audience. This will help you identify cross-sectional hashtags that align with your content and appeal to your viewers. By tracking these trends, you can tailor your video descriptions to better match audience interests and expectations.
4.Examine Competitors’ Hashtags
Look at what hashtags your competitors are using to attract engagement. This can provide insights into which hashtags are performing well. However, be cautious with brand-specific hashtags—ensure you don’t misuse them and stick to what fits your brand’s identity.
5.Create Branded Hashtags
Develop your own branded hashtags and incorporate them into challenges or contests to encourage audience participation and boost brand visibility. Keep in mind that building recognition for new custom hashtags takes time, so promote them consistently.
6.Check the Discover Page
Although TikTok’s Discover section has been removed from the app, you can still find trending hashtags through the browser version. This will give you a snapshot of the most popular hashtags and help keep your content up-to-date.
7.Leverage the TikTok Creative Center
The TikTok Creative Center offers a curated list of trending hashtags, providing valuable insights into what’s popular among top creators. You can track the best-performing hashtags by industry, allowing you to target relevant tags based on the time and your niche.
TikTok DOs and DON’Ts
Simply using popular TikTok hashtags isn't enough to guarantee success. There are several other factors that play a crucial role in your growth on the platform. In this post, we’ll dive into some essential TikTok dos and don’ts that can significantly influence your success.
DO
- Start a Hashtag Challenge for Your Niche
Create a custom hashtag challenge that resonates with your target audience. Participate in trending challenges and use appropriate hashtags to enhance visibility among users who are already engaged with similar content.
- Post Content at Optimal Times
Timing is crucial for engagement. Share your content during peak hours for your timezone, keeping in mind how seasons can influence user activity. Align your posts with current trends to capture the highest possible engagement.
- Use Popular Tracks
One effective way to go viral is by incorporating trending audio clips into your videos. Studies show that 68% of users remember a brand better when it uses current and popular music tracks.
- Make the Most of Your 500-Character Limit
Use the full 500 characters available in your video description. Provide a summary, include calls to action, and link to your other social media profiles or brand offerings to increase interaction and visibility.
- Combine Trending and Niche Hashtags
Pair popular hashtags with more specific, niche ones. While it may take a few tries to find the right balance, begin by combining broad hashtags with one or two highly relevant ones that appeal to your specific audience.
- Post Relatable, Candid Content
TikTok thrives on authenticity. Rather than polished, scripted ads, focus on creating spontaneous, relatable, and entertaining content that connects with users on a personal level.
- Offer Value First
Always provide value before marketing your brand. People come to TikTok for entertainment and valuable insights, not to be sold to. Use descriptions, captions, and comments to connect with your audience without disrupting the content flow.
- Incorporate Relevant Keywords in Your Speech
TikTok transcribes the audio in your video, which helps the platform’s algorithm categorize your content. Speak naturally with keywords that align with what your target audience is searching for.
- Track Your Performance
Keep an eye on your TikTok analytics by heading to Profile > Creator tools > Analytics. This data will help you understand which types of content perform best, allowing you to fine-tune your strategy for continued success.
DON'T
- Use Irrelevant Hashtags
Using viral TikTok hashtags that don’t align with your content can harm your brand’s credibility. Avoid overloading your videos with unrelated hashtags just to chase more views—sometimes, quality over quantity is key.
- Skip Hashtags Entirely
Not using hashtags might work for top influencers with a massive following, but for most users, hashtags are crucial for reaching a broader audience. Skip hashtags at your own risk of missing engagement.
- Put Hashtags in the Comments
Keep the comments for engaging with your audience. Placing hashtags in the comments won’t have the same impact on the algorithm, and it may come off as unnecessary to observant users, especially those from Gen Z.
- Create Overly Polished, Corporate Content
TikTok is all about being real and unfiltered. Save the highly polished, corporate-style content for other platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn. On TikTok, authenticity is what grabs attention.
- Post Too Many Videos in a Row
Avoid spamming your followers with multiple TikToks in a short period. Posting too frequently can trigger the algorithm to categorize your content as spam. Space out your posts to give each one a chance to shine.
- Break TikTok’s Rules and Guidelines
Always keep your content respectful and appropriate for all audiences. Familiarize yourself with TikTok’s terms of service and community guidelines to avoid any issues with your account.
- Overuse Generic Hashtags like #fyp or #foryoupage
Don’t flood your posts with widely used, generic hashtags. These hashtags have high competition and no guaranteed benefit in terms of visibility. Stick with one #fyp tag instead of repeating it or using multiple variations.
Lastly, keep in mind the changing nature of TikTok
Trends and popular hashtags on TikTok shift quickly. To stay relevant, it’s essential to keep up with interface updates, changes in the algorithm, trending topics, and emerging content styles.
As TikTok continues to focus on more niche content strategies, the platform will likely see more growth, especially with larger brands and celebrities joining the scene. However, as it attracts more attention, the competition will intensify, making it crucial to stay ahead of the curve and spot new opportunities early.
Conclusion
Kickstart your print-on-demand business on TikTok by leveraging the strategies and insights you’ve just learned, from hashtag ideas to content tips and effective marketing techniques.
- Choose a TikTok monetization strategy that works for you
- Analyze the algorithm, competitors, and audience to tailor your approach
- Stay on top of trending TikTok hashtags and relevant niche categories
- Ensure your TikTok marketing is authentic and transparent
- Grow your profile by adapting to shifts in trends and media
TikTok continues to be the fastest-growing social platform, with more users joining every day, leading to heightened competition. Act quickly while the competition is still manageable, and claim your space with a solid TikTok hashtag strategy.