How to find trending hashtags on TikTok

No matter your niche, hashtags nudge your content toward the right audience.

Hashtags work on TikTok just like any other social media platform. They create a roadmap to your content by categorizing videos with other relevant content, boosting your discoverability with those who search for this content.

They also represent what’s trending to give you ideas of what to create next. Trending hashtags aren’t just a shot in the dark — they’re shaped by TikTok’s community. Unless you’re a hashtag trendsetter, you can ride the wave of what’s currently popular, just like everyone else. Read on to learn how to find trending hashtags on TikTok and their benefits to your content.

What are the benefits of using hashtags on TikTok?

Hashtags direct your content toward those actively seeking it, increasing positive engagement and attracting new followers.

Here are three more benefits of using hashtags in your content strategy.

1. It boosts discoverability

If you’re trying to grow your following on TikTok, leave nothing up to chance. Instead of hoping your content lands in front of the right audience, use relevant hashtags to ensure it does.

TikTok hashtags propel your content toward those most likely to enjoy it, increasing the likelihood of positive engagement. That might be users searching for a specific clothing item or product review who, finding it helpful, like the video or share it with friends. Positive interactions like these prove that you’ve produced quality content and catapult your content to an even wider audience.

Increased engagement may even land your video on relevant Discovery pages, leading to more views and engagements and boosting your account’s discoverability.

2. You can take advantage of trends

Not every viral TikTok hashtag will suit your brand, but it’s wise to jump on board when ones that do. Participating in trends increases your discoverability with those engaging with that trend and shows your followers you’re not afraid to have a little fun.

3. It fosters community

Hashtag communities are a great way to create buzz around your brand and amplify your products. Create a unique hashtag for creators to use to be featured on your socials or craft a challenge to spark their creativity around your products. If Keen Footwear wanted to create a challenge, for example, they could use #climbingwithkeen to urge customers to post TikToks hiking in their Keens for a chance to win new shoes.

How to find trending hashtags on TikTok: 4 methods

Finding trending hashtags on TikTok isn’t tricky — it just requires a little poking around. Here are four ways to locate trending hashtags.

1. Use the magnifying glass tool

Tapping the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of the “For You” page is an easy way to discover trending hashtags relevant to your content. Follow these steps to use this tool:

1. Open the TikTok app
2. Click on the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner
3. Type a relevant term and press “Search”
4. Select “Hashtags” from the top navigation menu
5. View a complete list of hashtags and their corresponding views

2. Scope out the “For You” page

Content on your “For You” page highlights the hashtags other creators are using to make their videos noticeable. Check the captions of high-engagement videos to see their hashtags and if any apply to your content.

3. Check out your competition

Search for successful content creators in your niche to discover the hashtags they’re using. Deep diving into their content allows you to analyze which hashtags and Sounds top-performing videos use, and recent posts can inspire your content.

4. Explore the “Discover” section in a browser

TikTok slashed the “Discover” tab this year and replaced it with a new “Friends” tab. And while it feels great to support fellow creators, it feels even better to keep up with what’s on the rise.

Replacing the “Discover” tab makes finding trending hashtags more challenging but not impossible. Open a browser on your computer or phone and visit tiktok.com/discover to find trending hashtags and Sounds.

Tips for using hashtags on TikTok

Finding trending hashtags isn’t an instant recipe for success. What matters most is how you use them. Here are several tips for using hashtags on TikTok to ensure you’re getting the most out of your hashtag strategy:

• Use relevant hashtags: Just because a hashtag is trending doesn’t mean you should use it across all of your content. Using unrelated hashtags is often counterproductive, as it targets an audience searching for something else. TikTok will notice if no one engages with your video, so stick to relevant hashtags to reach the right audience — those truly interested in your offering.
• Switch it up: Popular TikTok hashtags can quickly flood with content, leading to a highly competitive landscape you can’t cut through. Mix trending hashtags with smaller, more niche ones to promote your content on all fronts. Niche hashtags receive less traffic, allowing your content to gain its footing before oncoming competitive content rushes in.
• Describe your audience: Get specific and define your ideal audience with your tags. For instance, if you’re a personal chef sharing your love of food through recipes, use hashtags like #foodie and #foodblogger. This tactic helps you reach a wider audience than simpler tags like #food and #recipes might.
• Save popular hashtags for later: You might not always have relevant content on hand when spotting a powerful tag, so save it for later. And jot down tags that aren’t trending now that you think might be in the future — you can prepare content to release if the boom hits.

What hashtags to use on TikTok: 30 trending tags

Although chart-topping tags can change in an instant, staying on top of what’s popular is crucial to creating a thoughtful social media strategy.

Here’s a list of some of the best TikTok hashtags to use in 2023:

1. dance
2. dancechallenge
3. photography
4. travel
5. travellife
6. traveltiktok
7. tiktoktravel
8. animals
9. animallover
10. booktok
11. books
12. tutorial
13. fyp
14. foryoupage
15. lovestory
16. love
17. lovegoals
18. tiktokchallenge
19. aesthetic
20. funnyvideos
21. funny
22. justforfun
23. comedychallenge
24. fashioninspiration
25. fashion
26. friends
27. friendgoals
28. foodtok
29. foodlover
30. foodtiktok

How many hashtags should you use on TikTok videos?

Now that you understand hashtag quality, it’s time to discuss quantity. TikTok’s character limit is 4,000, so theoretically, you can cram in as many hashtags as you like. Start by adding 1–4 to keep things minimalistic or fully unleash over 20 if that’s your style.

Just note that the longer your captions are, the more your video’s view is obstructed when viewers tap “More.” If you plan to push your caption to capacity with hashtags, expect it to fill your screen.

There are no hard-and-fast rules regarding hashtag use — just keep them relevant and on-brand to attract your target audience.

Boost your socials strategy with Linktree

When your content reaches the right audience, it receives the love it deserves. But hashtags are just one component of a larger strategy to boost your visibility and engagement rates. To make money on the app, you have to thoroughly understand the ins and outs.

Don’t be afraid to step outside the box and try something new. You can succeed while following trends but blow up by becoming a trendsetter. Try editing your TikTok videos in original ways and using unconventional transitions, filters and effects to reel in new followers. And share your unique style — you never know what sound could go viral.

Join Linktree for the latest social media news and best practices. Our blog teaches you how to add a Linktree to your TikTok account to direct viewers to every corner of your brand and how to see who viewed your profile to gain audience insights.