How to Find Trending TikTok Hashtags

Learn how to effectively find and use trending TikTok hashtags to enhance your content's visibility and engagement.

Growth
August 10, 2025
How to Find Trending TikTok Hashtags

On TikTok, using the right hashtags can make or break your content's reach. Trending hashtags help you connect with a larger audience, boost visibility, and grow your account. Here's how to find and use them effectively:

  • Discover trending hashtags: Check TikTok's Discover page for real-time popular tags.
  • Act fast: Trending hashtags peak within 24-72 hours, so timing is key.
  • Mix it up: Use a combination of trending, niche-specific, and general hashtags for better reach.
  • Stay relevant: Ensure your hashtags match your content to maintain credibility and engagement.
  • Track performance: Use analytics tools like TikTok Creator Tools or third-party platforms to evaluate which hashtags work best.

Start by exploring TikTok's Discover page and pairing trending hashtags with your unique content. Monitor their impact to refine your strategy and keep your content visible.

TikTok Hashtags Explained

What TikTok Hashtags Are

TikTok hashtags, marked by the familiar # symbol, are like digital signposts that categorize your videos and make them easier to find. They help connect your content with users who share similar interests, forming niche communities such as #BookTok, #SmallBusiness, or #DanceChallenge.

One of the standout features of TikTok's hashtag system is its level playing field. Unlike other platforms where visibility often depends on follower count, TikTok allows even new creators to compete with seasoned influencers in the same hashtag feed. This gives everyone a fair shot at being discovered.

Grasping these basics helps you understand how trends influence hashtags and shape the platform's dynamics.

Trending hashtags on TikTok reflect what's buzzing in real time, whether it's a viral challenge, a hot topic, or a shared cultural moment. These hashtags gain traction when a large number of users start creating content around the same idea within a short period. TikTok's algorithm picks up on this momentum and highlights these hashtags as trending.

The life of a trending hashtag is short but impactful. Timing is everything - jumping on a trend within the first 12 to 24 hours can maximize your video's exposure. Most hashtags peak within 24 to 72 hours, after which their popularity begins to wane. During this window, TikTok boosts content tied to these hashtags, giving creators a chance to ride the wave of increased visibility.

Trending hashtags can emerge from various sources: viral challenges launched by popular creators, reactions to current events, seasonal themes, or even spontaneous user-generated movements. Some trends are carefully planned marketing efforts, while others grow organically from the community.

Thanks to TikTok's global reach, trending hashtags often vary by region and language. While a trend might dominate in the United States, it could differ entirely in other parts of the world - though some trends do manage to resonate across borders.

Why Hashtag Relevance Matters

Choosing hashtags that accurately represent your content is crucial for building trust with both your audience and TikTok's algorithm. When your video aligns with the hashtags you use, viewers are more likely to engage with your content, boosting your chances of gaining followers.

On the flip side, using unrelated hashtags can backfire. Misleading viewers not only damages your credibility but also sends negative signals to TikTok's algorithm, potentially reducing your video's visibility and hurting your account's overall performance.

TikTok's algorithm has become smarter at evaluating hashtag relevance. It examines your video's visuals, audio, text overlays, and engagement patterns to ensure your hashtags align with the content. Repeated mismatches can lead to lower visibility over time.

Relevant hashtags bring in the right audience - people who are genuinely interested in your content and more likely to engage and stick around. This alignment improves engagement rates, builds a loyal community, and strengthens your account's focus within your niche. Plus, it signals quality to TikTok's algorithm, helping you maintain consistent visibility and grow your presence on the platform.

Finding trending hashtags on TikTok means knowing where trends originate and aligning them with your content. A great place to start? TikTok's Discover page.

Explore TikTok's Discover Page

TikTok's Discover page is your go-to for spotting trending hashtags and viral content. Just tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the TikTok app. Here, you'll see a mix of trending hashtags, popular creators, viral videos, and trending sounds - all in one place.

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TikTok Hashtag Best Practices

Making the most of trending hashtags takes more than simply copying what's popular. Success lies in combining smart strategies with a touch of authenticity to expand your reach and connect with the right audience.

To strike the right balance, combine widely used hashtags (like #fyp or #viral) with more specific, niche ones that cater to your content's unique focus. Broad hashtags can expose your content to millions of users, but the competition is fierce. On the other hand, niche hashtags help you connect with smaller, highly engaged communities.

For instance, if you're sharing dance content, you might pair a general hashtag like #dance with targeted ones like #hiphopchoreography or #beginnerdancer. This approach allows you to reach a broad audience while still appealing to those who are genuinely interested in your specific style.

Creators in specialized industries often see better engagement with tailored hashtags. A fitness creator, for example, might benefit more from using #homeworkout instead of a generic trending tag. The goal is to attract an audience that genuinely values your content, not just to chase numbers.

Once you've nailed your mix, it’s time to focus on how many hashtags to use for maximum impact.

Use the Right Number of Hashtags

Stick to three to five well-chosen hashtags in your captions. This keeps your message clear and avoids overwhelming viewers. Each hashtag should have a purpose, whether it’s to tap into a trend, reach a specific group, or highlight your content’s unique angle.

By keeping it concise, you ensure your hashtags work together to broaden your reach without making your captions feel cluttered.

Keep Your Hashtag Strategy Current

Your hashtag strategy isn't something to set and forget. Use TikTok analytics or tools like OkGrow (https://okgrow.com) to review your performance weekly. Drop hashtags that aren’t delivering results and replace them with ones that align with current trends or events.

Timing is also key. For example, holiday-related hashtags might be a hit in December but lose relevance by March. Similarly, back-to-school tags are most effective in late summer and early fall. Tying your hashtags to timely events or cultural moments can make your content more discoverable.

Analytics tools, like those from OkGrow, can provide real-time insights into which hashtags resonate most with your audience. With this data, you can fine-tune your strategy to stay relevant as trends shift.

How to Measure Hashtag Performance

Using hashtags effectively means more than just adding them to your posts - it requires tracking their impact. By analyzing performance, you can pinpoint which hashtags resonate with your audience and refine your strategy for better engagement.

Monitor Engagement Numbers

With a Pro Account, you can access Creator Tools to dive into Analytics and get a detailed view of how your content performs. Pay close attention to metrics like view duration, share rate, comment activity, and profile visits to evaluate the effectiveness of your hashtags.

For instance, if a post gets 10,000 views but only 50 likes, your hashtags might not be targeting the right audience. On the other hand, 2,000 views with 400 likes suggest a much stronger connection with viewers. Check traffic sources to see if hashtags are driving profile visits. If hashtag discovery is low compared to other sources, it’s a sign your tags might need tweaking.

Audience alignment is key. If your hashtags focus on college life but your content attracts an older demographic, it’s time to adjust your approach. Another critical metric is completion rates - videos with hashtags that match viewer intent tend to keep people watching until the end. If viewers drop off quickly, your hashtags might be pulling in the wrong crowd.

Use these insights to sharpen your hashtag strategy, as explained in the next section.

Review and Improve Your Approach

Set aside time each week to review your hashtag performance and make data-driven changes. A simple spreadsheet can help you track your top-performing posts and the hashtags you used. Look for patterns to identify what’s working and what’s not.

If certain hashtags underperform after three or four tries, remove them from your rotation. For example, if #motivation isn’t driving engagement on your fitness posts, try switching to more targeted options like #workoutmotivation or #fitnessmindset. Keep your hashtag updates aligned with your long-term growth goals.

Experiment with A/B testing to see which hashtags resonate most with your audience. Post similar content using different hashtag sets, then compare the results after 48 hours. This method helps you zero in on the tags that are most effective for your niche and content style.

Timing also plays a role in hashtag performance. A tag that worked well in January might lose its impact by March due to seasonal shifts or changing trends. Regular reviews ensure you stay ahead of these shifts instead of reacting to a drop in engagement.

Tools like OkGrow can simplify this process by offering real-time hashtag performance tracking and tailored recommendations based on your content’s reach and engagement. Pair this with trend discovery to create a more cohesive strategy. By relying on data, you can eliminate guesswork and focus on hashtags that deliver results.

Finally, track your follower growth rate alongside hashtag usage. The right hashtags don’t just bring in casual viewers - they attract engaged followers who interact with multiple posts and stick around for the long haul. These are the followers who add real value to your growth.

Using Hashtags to Grow Your TikTok Account

Growing your TikTok account with hashtags boils down to three key elements: timing, relevance, and adapting your strategy. Using hashtags at the right time is critical - capitalize on trending tags while they’re still gaining momentum and post when your audience is most active to boost engagement. It’s equally important to choose hashtags that genuinely reflect your content. TikTok’s algorithm rewards posts that align with user expectations, so accurate hashtags help attract viewers who are already interested in your niche.

To take things further, fine-tune your hashtag strategy as your content evolves. Start with a mix that includes one trending hashtag, a few niche-specific ones, and a branded or personalized tag. Over time, track which combinations perform best and tweak your approach to keep your strategy effective.

If managing hashtags feels overwhelming, automation tools can help. For example, OkGrow’s AI-powered Hashtag Generator creates tailored hashtag sets and provides real-time analytics, showing you which tags are driving real engagement. This way, you can focus on creating high-quality content while still maintaining a smart, data-driven hashtag strategy that complements consistent posting and authentic audience interaction.

FAQs

To get the most out of TikTok hashtags, try blending popular trending hashtags with niche-focused ones. Trending hashtags can push your content into broader, high-traffic searches, while niche hashtags help you connect with a more specific and engaged audience.

Aim for 3–5 hashtags per post to keep your captions looking clean and impactful. This combination of broad and targeted tags boosts your chances of being discovered while keeping your content relevant. Make it a habit to research trending hashtags regularly and align them with your content's theme to stay current and maximize your reach.

What are the biggest mistakes to avoid with TikTok hashtags, and how can I keep mine effective?

Some frequent missteps with TikTok hashtags include choosing tags that don't match your content, stuffing your posts with overly popular tags like #fyp or #viral, and relying solely on trending hashtags without accounting for your specific niche. These strategies can backfire, reducing your visibility and making it tougher to reach the audience you want.

To make your hashtags work for you, spend time researching both trending and niche-specific tags through TikTok’s Discover page. A good rule of thumb is to use 3–5 hashtags per post, blending popular ones with niche-specific tags that resonate with your audience. This approach keeps your content relevant and increases your chances of meaningful engagement.

How can I track the performance of my TikTok hashtags and improve my strategy?

To gauge how effectively your TikTok hashtags are working, leverage tools like TikTok's built-in analytics or other reliable platforms. Pay close attention to metrics like reach, impressions, and engagement to understand how each hashtag impacts your video's visibility.

By regularly analyzing this data, you'll pinpoint which hashtags are driving the most interaction. Over time, you can fine-tune your hashtag strategy by mixing popular hashtags (to cast a wide net) with niche hashtags (to connect with specific groups). This ongoing process will help boost your content's visibility and performance.

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