With over a billion users and an algorithm designed to spotlight trending and engaging content, TikTok offers massive potential for creators and businesses alike. Whether you’re an influencer, a marketer, or a small business owner, understanding the best TikTok hashtag strategy to increase visibility can make or break your growth on the platform.
Hashtags aren’t just a way to describe your content, they’re a powerful tool to help TikTok’s algorithm categorize your video, connect you with the right audience, and push your content onto the coveted “For You” page (FYP). In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to use hashtags on TikTok effectively, what types of hashtags perform best, and what common mistakes to avoid.
How Hashtags Work on TikTok
Unlike traditional search engines or even other social media platforms, TikTok’s recommendation engine relies heavily on contextual signals and hashtags are one of the key indicators.
When you use hashtags, TikTok uses them to:
Understand what your content is about
Match your content with relevant user interests
Group your video with others in trending or niche categories
Push your video to users who have engaged with similar topics
This means using hashtags is not optional — it’s essential for creators who want to grow on TikTok and reach a broader audience.
Types of TikTok Hashtags You Should Use
Not all hashtags are created equal. For a successful TikTok hashtag strategy, you need to blend different types of hashtags to maximize your visibility:
1. Niche-Specific Hashtags
These help you reach users interested in a specific topic or industry. For example, if you’re a fitness coach, use hashtags like #FitnessTips, #HomeWorkouts, or #FitTok. These hashtags target a dedicated audience looking for exactly what you offer.
2. Trending Hashtags
TikTok often promotes trending hashtags through challenges or viral topics. Jumping on these can give your content a temporary visibility boost. Keep an eye on the “Discover” page or TikTok Creative Center to find trending hashtags in real time.
3. Branded Hashtags
These are custom hashtags created by brands to promote a campaign or product. You can create your own branded hashtag to increase brand awareness, encourage user-generated content, and track engagement.
4. Challenge Hashtags
Challenge hashtags often trend quickly and have massive engagement. Participating in them can give your video an organic lift, especially if your take on the challenge is creative or humorous.
5. Community-Based Hashtags
These are broader but still targeted — like #BookTok, #CleanTok, or #MomLife. They allow you to tap into a defined community that regularly browses content under these tags.
How to Research Effective TikTok Hashtags
Before posting, it’s important to do some hashtag research. Here are some quick ways to find hashtags that work:
1. Use TikTok Search
Type a keyword related to your video into the search bar and switch to the “Hashtags” tab. TikTok will show you a list of related hashtags along with view counts. This gives you an idea of what’s popular and relevant.
2. Analyze Competitors
Look at successful creators in your niche and examine what hashtags they use regularly. Take note of combinations that appear frequently or perform well.
3. Explore TikTok Creative Center
This free tool from TikTok helps you discover trending hashtags in your region and niche. It’s especially useful if you’re managing multiple accounts or creating content for different industries.
4. Use Third-Party Tools
Apps like Hashtag Expert, TikBuddy, or TrendTok offer additional insights into high-performing hashtags and can help you build strategic sets based on your goals.
Best Practices for Using TikTok Hashtags
Using the right hashtags is more art than science, but there are some proven best practices to keep in mind:
Use 3–5 Hashtags Per Post: This keeps your caption clean and prevents the algorithm from being confused by too many topics.
Mix Popular and Niche Tags: A blend of high-traffic and specific hashtags ensures both wide reach and targeted engagement.
Keep Hashtags Relevant: Misleading hashtags can hurt engagement and credibility. TikTok can detect when tags don’t match content.
Place Hashtags in the Caption: Unlike Instagram, placing hashtags in TikTok comments doesn’t improve discoverability.
Stay Consistent: Repeatedly using niche-specific hashtags helps the algorithm understand your content category over time.
Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid
A strong TikTok hashtag strategy also involves knowing what not to do. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
Overusing Hashtags: Flooding your caption with 10+ hashtags can dilute your message and confuse the algorithm.
Using Irrelevant Hashtags: Don’t jump on a trending tag unless your video is actually related. Users can report irrelevant content.
Copy-Pasting Hashtag Sets: Customize hashtags for each post. Repeating the same ones can limit reach and look spammy.
Ignoring Banned or Shadowbanned Tags: Some hashtags may be flagged or suppressed by TikTok. Double-check new hashtags before using them.
Advanced Tips to Maximize Hashtag Impact
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are some advanced tips to further improve your TikTok visibility:
Create Your Own Branded Hashtag
Encourage your followers to use a custom hashtag in their own videos. This not only builds brand identity but also helps you track user-generated content and build community.
Participate in Hashtag Challenges
Whether you’re starting one or jumping into an existing trend, hashtag challenges are one of the fastest ways to go viral on TikTok. Add your creative twist to stand out from the crowd.
A/B Test Hashtag Combinations
Try posting similar content with different sets of hashtags to see which ones perform better. TikTok analytics can help you understand what’s working and why.
Track Performance
Use TikTok’s built-in analytics to track views, shares, and engagement by video. Pay attention to which hashtag sets correlate with higher performance and refine your strategy accordingly.
Final Thoughts
The best TikTok hashtag strategy to increase visibility is about finding the sweet spot between relevance, trendiness, and niche targeting. Using the right mix of hashtags not only helps TikTok’s algorithm surface your content to the right audience but also increases your chances of landing on the For You page and growing your account organically.
Remember, hashtags are only one part of the equation. Consistent posting, high-quality video content, and engagement with your audience are equally important. But with a smart, intentional approach to TikTok hashtags, you’ll be well on your way to reaching more viewers and turning casual scrollers into loyal followers.
I’m Maxwell Warner, a content writer from Austria with 3+ years of experience. With a Media & Communication degree from the University of Vienna, I craft engaging content across tech, lifestyle, travel, and business.
