TikTok hashtags do more than ride the wave of viral dances. They categorize your content, fuel discoverability, and train the algorithm on where your videos should appear.
When you use relevant TikTok hashtags, you’re not just tapping into trending topics and viral challenges; you’re positioning your content to show up in TikTok search results and, increasingly, across other discovery platforms.
A smart TikTok hashtag strategy blends popular hashtags for reach with niche hashtags for precision targeting. This approach helps you connect with your ideal audience while still gaining exposure to a broader crowd. For brands, influencers, and social media marketers, this isn’t just about virality — it’s about building a sustainable TikTok presence that also feeds into your Search Everywhere visibility.
Done right, the same hashtags that get you seen on TikTok can also help your videos surface in Google’s AI Overviews, YouTube Shorts recommendations, and even Pinterest search.
Whether you’re looking to join trending conversations, create a branded hashtag challenge, or encourage user-generated content, the right hashtags are your key to relevance, reach, and results.
TL;DR
- Mix popular and niche hashtags to maximize reach and engagement while still hitting your target audience.
- Track trending topics daily so you can jump in early before the trend peaks.
- Audit hashtag performance regularly and replace underperformers with high-impact alternatives.
- Use a branded hashtag challenge to drive user-generated content and brand awareness.
- Leverage social media tools to find relevant, trending, and predictive hashtags.
- Think beyond TikTok — your hashtag strategy should also boost visibility across other search-driven platforms.
Creating a TikTok Hashtag Strategy
A well-built TikTok hashtag strategy is more than sprinkling in a few trending hashtags and hoping for the best. It’s about engineering discoverability.
TikTok’s search results, For You page, and even external search engines like Google increasingly pull from hashtag-linked content, so the hashtags you choose have a direct impact on your visibility both on-platform and beyond.
Start by defining clear goals: Do you want to boost brand awareness, drive traffic to a product, or spark a user-generated content wave? Then, identify your target audience and research what relevant TikTok hashtags they follow, search, and engage with. This mix should include:
- Trending TikTok hashtags for tapping into current momentum.
- Branded hashtags to strengthen your unique identity.
- Niche hashtags for precise targeting and higher engagement rates.
Track hashtag performance regularly. Look at TikTok analytics to see which hashtags deliver views, watch time, and conversions. If you’re serious about scaling, invest in social media tools like Flick, Hashtagify, or TikTok’s own hashtag generator to uncover fresh opportunities.
By combining popular hashtags for reach with specific hashtags for relevance, you create a hashtag blueprint that not only fuels your TikTok growth but also strengthens your footprint in the search everywhere ecosystem.
Finding Relevant Hashtags
If you want to win TikTok search, the first step is knowing how to find relevant TikTok hashtags that connect your content with the right audience. TikTok’s native search bar is your best friend.
Here, type in a seed keyword, and TikTok will auto-suggest trending hashtags and related hashtags based on current user searches. These suggestions are gold because they reflect real-time platform demand.
Go further with competitive analysis. Look at high-performing creators or brands in your niche and note which niche hashtags and branded hashtags they’re using. This helps you spot high-engagement tags you might be missing — or identify gaps where you can dominate without competing against overused hashtags.
Don’t overlook external hashtag tools. These tools surface popular TikTok hashtags, daily trending hashtags, and long-tail tags tied to specific search terms, giving you a broader view of what’s gaining traction.
Your hashtag list shouldn’t be static.
Trends move fast, and the TikTok algorithm rewards content that’s aligned with current interest spikes. Set a habit to review hashtag performance and swap in fresh tags based on trending topics, seasonal moments, and past campaign results.
By actively refreshing your hashtag set, you keep your content visible not only in TikTok search results but also in the wider search everywhere ecosystem — including Google’s AI Overviews, where TikTok videos are now surfacing for relevant queries.
Using Popular and Niche Hashtags
Here’s the thing… most TikTok creators either spam popular hashtags like it’s 2019, or they go so niche they’re practically talking to themselves. Neither works if you want consistent reach and the right eyeballs.
So, what’s the move?
Mix popular TikTok hashtags with niche hashtags like you’re building the perfect playlist — a few crowd-pleasers to pull in the masses, plus some deep cuts that only your ideal audience will get excited about.
Why?
Because popular hashtags put you in front of a broader audience and help you ride the wave of hashtag trends. But those views can be fleeting. Niche hashtags? They get you in front of the people who are actually likely to binge your content, follow, and convert. Together, they’re your one-two punch for growth.
But let’s be real…
More hashtags ≠ more reach.
In fact, too many hashtags can tank engagement faster than an outdated dance trend. Instead, aim for a focused set of 3–5 relevant TikTok hashtags (as TikTok now only allows a maximum of 5 per post):
- 1–2 branded hashtags for recognition
- 1–2 trending TikTok hashtags for discovery
- 1–2 niche hashtags for targeted reach
And here’s where it ties into Search Everywhere Optimization…
When you keep your hashtag mix fresh — swapping out outdated hashtags and monitoring hashtag performance — you’re not just showing up in TikTok search. You’re also giving your videos the best shot at surfacing in other search environments like Google AI Overviews, YouTube Shorts search, and even Pinterest video results.
Your hashtag strategy becomes part of a bigger discoverability engine, not just a TikTok growth hack.
Leveraging Trending Topics
Want to know the fastest way to get eyeballs on your TikTok content?
Jump on trending topics before everyone else does.
Here’s the deal…
TikTok’s algorithm loves content that rides the momentum of popular conversations, and so do viewers.
Spot a trend early, and you can ride it all the way to For You Page glory. Wait too long, and you’re just background noise in an already oversaturated sound.
How do you do it?
- Keep a pulse on the most trending TikTok hashtags using TikTok’s own Discover tab or external social media tools.
- Join hashtag challenges and put your own twist on them — this isn’t about copying, it’s about remixing.
- Use trending hashtags to signal to the algorithm, “Hey, I’m part of the conversation.”
But here’s where it gets fun…
Trending topics aren’t just for TikTok views. They’re also an opportunity to encourage user-generated content. Invite your audience to duet, stitch, or recreate your video, and suddenly you’ve got a mini-community buzzing around your brand.
And don’t forget the regional angle…
A trend in Los Angeles might flop in London. Keep an eye on regional popularity so your content feels relevant to the right audience, in the right place, at the right time.
The Search Everywhere connection?
Trending topics are discoverable far beyond TikTok — in Google’s AI Overviews, YouTube Shorts search, even Pinterest video feeds. By tagging your videos with the right trending hashtags, you’re planting seeds in multiple discovery channels, not just TikTok’s For You Page.
Measuring Hashtag Performance
Think your hashtag strategy is working?
Don’t guess — prove it with data.
Here’s why…
Hashtags aren’t just decoration. They’re a discovery engine, and like any engine, you need to check under the hood. Tracking your hashtag performance is how you figure out what’s fueling your growth — and what’s stalling it.
Start with the basics:
- Engagement rate: Are people actually interacting with your hashtagged posts?
- Views and reach: Are you getting in front of more eyeballs, or just the same loyal few?
- Follower growth: Is your hashtag strategy helping attract the right audience?
Then, go deeper…
Use TikTok’s analytics or third-party social media tools to spot high-performing hashtags you should double down on — and irrelevant hashtags you can ditch. Trends change fast. The hashtag that crushed it last month might be dead weight today.
Why this matters for Search Everywhere…
The data you gather here isn’t just for TikTok. If you know which hashtags consistently draw clicks, comments, and shares, you can use those same keywords and themes across YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and even AI Overviews in Google Search.
Bottom line?
Let data-driven insights guide your strategy. When you know what works, you can amplify it — and when you spot a dud, you can swap it out before it costs you more reach.
Choosing the Right Hashtags
Here’s the truth…
Hashtags are not “one size fits all.” What works for a viral dance challenge won’t do much for a B2B brand trying to rank in TikTok search.
So, how do you pick the winners?
Start With Relevance
If your hashtag doesn’t connect directly to your content and your audience’s search intent, you’re wasting valuable real estate. Use hashtags your ideal viewer would actually type into TikTok search — or even Google now that short-form videos are surfacing in SERPs.
Mix it up
Blend popular hashtags for reach with niche hashtags for precision targeting. Popular ones cast a wide net; niche ones reel in the exact people who care about your content.
Skip the Dinosaurs
Overused or outdated hashtags might look impressive, but they’re usually overcrowded graveyards where your post will vanish in seconds. Think “#fyp” — millions of posts, zero visibility.
Get Some Help
Tools like a hashtag generator can surface trending, relevant, and industry-specific hashtags you might miss. Just don’t copy-paste the whole list — curate for quality.
Find Your Sweet Spot
Yes, you can use too many hashtags. Stuffing your caption with 20+ tags looks messy and confuses the algorithm. Stick to a focused set that packs a punch.
Creating a Branded Hashtag Challenge
Want your brand to own a conversation on TikTok?
Start with a branded hashtag challenge.
Here’s how to make it work (and avoid being cringey):
Step 1: Make it Irresistibly Fun
Your challenge needs a hook people can’t scroll past — whether it’s a dance, a transformation, or a clever twist on a trending sound. Think short, snappy, and easy to replicate so anyone can join in.
Step 2: Seed it With Influence
Don’t just throw it into the TikTok void. Partner with influencers, creators, or even loyal customers who can kick things off and model the challenge for others. This primes the algorithm and builds early momentum.
Step 3: Engage like Your Reach Depends on it (Because it Does)
Like, comment, and duet user-generated content. The more interaction you have with challenge participants, the more your branded hashtag gets seen in search and on the For You Page.
Step 4: Think Beyond TikTok
Push your branded hashtag on other social media platforms, your email list, your website, even in offline campaigns. This is Search Everywhere Optimization in action — the more touchpoints, the more your hashtag becomes linked to your brand in people’s minds.
Step 5: Keep it Alive
Don’t let the challenge fizzle out after week one. Feature top entries, create spinoff prompts, or tie the hashtag into seasonal events to keep UGC flowing.
When done right, a branded hashtag challenge doesn’t just create content — it creates brand imprinting.
Every time someone sees or searches that hashtag, your brand’s right there in the results… on TikTok and beyond.
Staying Up-to-Date with the Latest Trends
Keep Your Ear to the Ground (and Your Eyes on the FYP)
TikTok trends are like fireworks — blink, and they’ve already exploded. Staying ahead means checking the Discover page daily, watching your For You Page with a strategic eye, and following niche creators whose content tends to catch fire first. These early signals help you spot a trending hashtag before it goes fully mainstream.
The bonus?
Jumping on trends early means your content is more likely to rank in TikTok search and possibly cross over into other platforms, giving you a better shot at Search Everywhere visibility.
Use the Right Tools
Manual tracking can work, but if you want a serious edge, social media tools are your best friend. Hashtag trackers and analytics platforms can show you not just what’s trending now, but what’s about to trend.
This predictive data is gold for getting your videos out ahead of the curve.
Use this insight to tailor your content and hashtags in real time. Remember, the sooner you align your TikTok posts with emerging trends, the better your chances of hitting both TikTok’s algorithm sweet spot and Google’s AI Overview inclusion.
Learn from the Pros
The creators and marketers who consistently go viral aren’t guessing — they’re watching patterns and acting on them fast. Attend webinars, tune into live Q&As, and study case studies from top-performing TikTok marketers.
These insights can help you identify which hashtag trends are worth your time and which ones are already on their way out. By building this filter, you’ll avoid wasting resources on fads that die before you can edit your video. Staying educated means you’re not just reacting — you’re anticipating.
Collaborate to Accelerate
Sometimes the best way to hear about an emerging trend is through someone else’s audience. Partner with influencers, creators, and brands whose communities you trust. They’ll often have eyes on different corners of TikTok than you do. This gives you access to “trend whispers” before they become trend shouts.
Plus, collaborative content tends to get more engagement, giving your hashtags more visibility and extending your reach across multiple audience pools. That’s a double win for TikTok growth and cross-platform discoverability.
Optimizing Your Hashtag Strategy
Audit Often
Your hashtag set isn’t a permanent fixture — it’s a living, breathing part of your strategy. Review it regularly to see which hashtags are actively contributing to reach, views, and engagement. If a hashtag’s not pulling its weight, replace it with one that is.
Keep a rolling list of both high-performing and underperforming hashtags so you can adapt quickly. This agile approach ensures you’re always pushing content with maximum discovery potential, not just on TikTok, but wherever your posts might surface in search results.
Spy (Ethically) on Your Competitors
Competitor analysis is a shortcut to understanding what’s working in your niche. Look at the hashtags your competitors are using, then compare them against your own performance data.
Are they leaning into trending hashtags you’ve missed? Are they overusing stale tags?
By studying their wins and losses, you can refine your hashtag mix and position your content to stand out rather than blend in. The key is not to copy — it’s to learn, adapt, and improve.
Test, Tweak, Repeat
Think of hashtag testing like split testing ad copy — it’s about finding the combinations that drive the highest returns. Post similar content with different hashtag sets and track the results. This process will reveal patterns, like which hashtags consistently draw in new viewers versus which ones engage your existing audience.
Over time, you’ll create a proven hashtag blueprint that keeps your TikTok presence growing steadily. And remember: these same hashtags could also boost your content’s odds of appearing on other search-driven platforms.
Stay Algorithm-Aware
TikTok’s algorithm is in constant motion. Features rise, engagement patterns shift, and hashtags that worked last month may suddenly underperform.
Stay alert to these changes and be ready to pivot. If you see a drop in engagement, assess whether the algorithm is rewarding different content formats or favoring certain hashtag categories. Quick adaptation keeps you competitive, ensuring your content doesn’t just get buried in TikTok’s feed, but remains visible in TikTok search and possibly beyond.
Think Search Everywhere
Here’s the bigger picture: a strong TikTok hashtag strategy isn’t just about TikTok. The right hashtags make your content easier to find in TikTok search, but they can also help it surface in Google results, AI Overviews, Pinterest search, YouTube Shorts suggestions, and more.
The internet’s search ecosystem is increasingly interconnected, and hashtags are one of the threads tying it together. Optimizing them with Search Everywhere in mind means you’re setting your brand up for visibility in multiple discovery channels — not just one.
Hashtags Are the Compass, Search Is the Map
A great TikTok hashtag strategy isn’t just about chasing the latest viral dance or meme — it’s about making sure your content is discoverable in the moments that matter. The right hashtags help you ride the wave of TikTok trends and position your brand in the wider search ecosystem.
TikTok’s search function is already influencing Google and even AI-driven discovery tools.
That means every hashtag you choose has the potential to pull double (or triple) duty for your brand visibility. Get them right, and you’re not just trending for a day — you’re building long-term discoverability across multiple platforms.
If you want help crafting a hashtag strategy that doesn’t just look good on TikTok but drives measurable results across every search touchpoint, let’s talk. At SEO Sherpa, we specialize in building Search Everywhere Optimization strategies that work in the TikTok feed, in TikTok search, and far beyond.
Get your free strategy call today and let’s make your brand the one people find — and remember — everywhere.
Leave a Reply