Keywords on TikTok: How to Find and Use Popular Terms [Expert Tips]

8min.

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Keywords on TikTok: How to Find and Use Popular Terms [Expert Tips]d-tags
17 October 2023
Whether you’re just starting on TikTok or already creating content, having the skill to find TikTok keywords and staying updated with the latest TikTok keyword insights is truly essential to reaching your target audience. In a moment you’re going to learn how to find those trending keywords on TikTok and use them wisely to increase your brand awareness, drive engagement, and simply make the most of TikTok!

8min.

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Using the right keywords in your web content is a smart way to connect with your audience, right?

Well, the same idea holds true for TikTok.

TikTok is where more and more consumers, especially Gen Z, hang out daily. It’s no surprise you want your content to be noticed by these individuals. As Gen Z becomes a big player in the consumer market, it makes sense to try to increase your brand reach on TikTok. To make your brand stand out and connect with these emerging buyers, it’s good to have some at least basic TikTok SEO knowledge, right?

TikTok is a game-changer in the social media landscape. Its short videos and smart algorithm make it the perfect place for content creators. However, fierce competition and fleeting trends mean creators must be nimble.

Dagmara Weder-Grygielewicz
Dagmara Weder-Grygielewicz SEO Specialist

So by the time you finish reading this article, you will have all the information you need to master one immensely important aspect of TikTok SEO, which is finding trending TikTok keywords.

So, let’s start by explaining…

What Are Trending Keywords on TikTok?

Trending keywords on TikTok are the words, phrases, or hashtags that are all the rage among TikTok users at a given time, be it a month, a holiday, or a big cultural event. These keywords signify the freshest trends (eg. #NFTs), popular challenges (eg. #wednesdaydance), and the most talked-about topics on the platform (eg. #MentalHealth). They tend to evolve quickly and are often shaped by current happenings, pop culture, or viral trends.

No matter if you pick up on a catchy song title, a popular dance challenge, a viral meme phrase, or a topic associated with a current news event, when you integrate these trending keywords into your TikTok content, it increases the chances of your videos being found by a broader audience. This heightened visibility can drive more traffic to your online business, leading to ✔️ increased brand awareness, ✔️ engagement, and ✔️ potential conversions.

Trending keywords on TikTok reflect what’s currently popular and appealing to the audience. Remember that these keywords can vary by region. They also change quite often. Therefore, make sure you stay informed and adapt your content strategy to maintain success on the platform.

How Do Trending TikTok Keywords Help You Connect with Your Target Audience?

No doubt, doing TikTok keyword research and later using these popular hashtags in your marketing strategy gives you a huge advantage, which is building a connection with your target audience. And once you establish this connection, you win other benefits that help your business grow. Here’s what I mean:

  • Trending keywords are, by nature, what’s currently popular and talked about. By using these TikTok keywords in your video content, you demonstrate that your brand or content is up-to-date and in sync with the interests of your target audience.
  • Using trending keywords increases the likelihood of your videos appearing in users’ feeds and search results. When your content goes hand in hand with what’s trending, it’s more likely to catch the eye of your target audience as they explore TikTok.
  • Trending TikTok keywords often represent subjects that people are passionate about. When you engage with these topics, you’re more likely to ignite comments, likes, shares, and discussions among your target audience, fostering a deeper connection.
  • Many trending challenges and themes on TikTok encourage user participation. By joining in on these challenges using relevant keywords, you become part of the larger TikTok community and interact directly with your target audience.
  • When you use trending keywords, your content is more likely to resonate with your target audience because it addresses their current interests and preferences, making them more inclined to engage with your videos.

Now that you understand the benefits and power of using trending TikTok keywords in your marketing strategy, let’s see which techniques you can use to find the keywords that can significantly boost your brand visibility and engagement with your target audience.

TikTok Keyword Research: 5 Ways to Find What’s #hotrightnow

If you care to make your TikTok content stand out and be found by your target audience, you need to know what keywords are being used by your potential customers at a given moment. So, to find those hidden gems, consider following some of these ideas:

TikTok Keyword Research IDEA #1: Check TikTok’s Discover Page
How to access: Open the app and tap the magnifying glass at the bottom of the screen

This is where you’ll find all the latest popular stuff, including effects and popular sounds. Look at the trending hashtags and challenges to see what everyone’s talking about. You can use these trends to make your content more popular too.

TikTok’s Discover Page shows what’s really hot right now. You can see what’s trending and what people are watching.

Keyword Research IDEA #2: Try TikTok’s Search Bar
Type in words related to your niche and industry in the search bar. This way TikTok will suggest you popular search terms. In this simple way, you can figure out what’s trending and what people are looking for.

TikTok Keyword Research IDEA #3: Check Out Your Niche
See what other people in your niche are doing. Try to figure out what keywords your rivals are using by looking into the captions they add to the videos. This tells you what words are popular in your niche.

TikTok Keyword Research IDEA #4: Join Trending Challenges
To make your videos more visible, not only take part in trending challenges (if that makes sense for your brand, of course) but also use hashtags that are connected to the very challenge. Lots of people search for challenge-related content, so it’s a great way to reach a bigger audience.

TikTok Keyword Research IDEA #5: Use Keyword Tools
Simply, use keyword research tools such as

screenshot of a keyword tool app

Keyword Tool homepage

screenshoot of TikTok Creative Center showing trending keywords

TikTok Creative Center showing trending keywords

a screenshot showing the metrics of "disney" keyword on tik tok creative center

TikTok Creative Center showing #disney100 metrics

screenshot of the homepage of TikTokKeywords tool

TikTokKeywords homepage

When you do the TikTok keyword research and create a list of the popular hashtags and sounds that suit your brand voice and marketing strategy, you need to locate those elements in your video content wisely, right?

Use trending keywords in titles, descriptions, and captions. However, make sure you find the right balance. Don’t overdo the keywords!

Undoubtedly, using trendy keywords is great, but don’t go overboard with them. If you stuff your captions and video descriptions with too many keywords, it can make your content look like spam. Result? People will turn away.

How can you strike the right balance? Think about those 3 pieces of advice:

👍 TIP #1: Use keywords that actually match what’s happening in your video. Don’t force them in.

👍 TIP #2: Your captions should make sense and be easy to understand. Don’t make things confusing just to add keywords.

👍 TIP #3: Your main goal is to entertain and connect with your viewers. Keywords are there to help, not take over.

So, remember to use keywords wisely. Stay relevant. Keep it clear. Don’t make it hard for your target audience to engage with your TikTok content.

Actually, while bringing the word “balance” up, there is one more thing you need to know to make the most out of your TikTok keyword list.

Using TikTok Trends While Staying Authentic to Your Audience

When a brand tries too hard to be trendy on TikTok, it can lead to several problems. The content might seem fake, and viewers could lose interest.

source: Giphy

The brand might also lose its unique identity and find it hard to stand out.

You would rather prevent that from happening, right?

It’s also worth realizing that trying to follow every trend can be tiring and result in short-lived success. Also, if your viewers feel your brand isn’t being honest, they might leave negative comments, which is another thing you’d like to steer clear of, right?

So what should you do then?

  • Even when you’re using trending keywords and joining popular challenges, don’t lose your unique style and voice. Your viewers love you for being you, so let that shine through.
  • When you’re joining a trend, adapt it to your brand personality and content. Make it your own and add your personal touch. That’s what makes you stand out.
  • Being authentic means being real. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not or do things that go against your values. Your audience appreciates honesty.
  • Don’t just follow trends blindly. Talk to your audience, ask for their opinions, and involve them in your content decisions. They’ll love being a part of your journey.

Testing Your Strategy and Monitoring Outcomes

There is no better way for you to see what resonates with your target audience than by testing your strategies and monitoring the outcomes. When you experiment with different keywords and track your performance, you can quickly redefine your content strategies.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with keywords and mix things up. Try using various trending keywords and see what works best for your content. Doing so, you will discover which keywords get you more views, likes, or shares.

And when you finally strike the cord with your target audience, the engagement will increase, together with your brand’s recognition.

TikTok Analytics is your ally here, helping you track how well your keywords are doing.
How to access: Open the app → tap the three dots → choose Creator Tools → click Analytics

a cell phone showing TikTok Analytics

source: TikTok

TikTok Analytics is like your scoreboard. It shows you data about how your videos are doing. Use it to check regularly which keywords are driving more engagement and views. This will guide your keyword choices.

Also, remember to regularly check the engagement metrics. Look at the comments, likes, shares, and follows that your videos receive. When certain keywords lead to more of these actions, it’s a clear sign for you that those keywords resonate with your audience.

And finally, use what you learn to refine your strategy. Keep using keywords that work and don’t wait long to adjust or drop the ones that don’t. This way, you can fine-tune your TikTok strategy for better results.

Building Your TikTok Community Through Comments

By actively engaging with your audience through comments, you create a friendly and interactive atmosphere that keeps viewers coming back and talking with others about your brand.

Building a community around your TikTok profile strengthens your brand, increases loyalty, and encourages ongoing interaction, all of which are key to long-term success on the platform.

Not sure how to build a TikTok community around your brand? If so, think about doing the following:

  • Join the conversation in the comments. Reply, ask questions, or show appreciation to connect with your audience.
  • Encourage discussions by asking open questions related to your content or what’s trending. This boosts comments and makes your community feel closer.
  • Recognize and give a thumbs up to positive or thoughtful comments. This makes viewers feel more involved and eager to join in.
  • Make sure the comments section stays friendly. If you see something rude or wrong, deal with it quickly. This way, your community stays positive and welcoming.

When You Get TikTok Keyword Research Right

As our SEO Specialist, Dagmara, emphasizes:

While TikTok can provide exposure, converting followers into customers demands a thoughtful strategy. With the right approach, TikTok can be a valuable addition to any social media marketing strategy. To succeed on TikTok, embrace its uniqueness, adapt, and prioritize audience engagement.

Dagmara Weder-Grygielewicz
Dagmara Weder-Grygielewicz SEO Specialist

How can you prioritize audience engagement? One effective way is by creating relatable content that resonates with them.

Here’s an example: After conducting thorough TikTok keyword research and discovering trending terms like “workhumor,” “officehumor,” and “coworkerjokes,” Dagmara created videos that the audience loved, leading to increased engagement.

two TikTok screenshots showing an effective keyword research strategy

a screenshot of Delante’s TikTok reel

two TikTok screenshots showing an effective keyword research strategy

a screenshot of Delante’s TikTok reel

Indeed, finding the right TikTok keywords, building content around it, and seeing the heart counter growing is a truly exciting and fulfilling experience. Why not jump right in and create a winning strategy that gives your brand more recognition and more customers who genuinely enjoy engaging with your brand?

The best part? You can do this on your own! But always keep in mind, that we’re here as your helpful guides. Don’t hesitate to contact us whenever you could use some assistance or fresh TikTok keyword insights.

FAQ: Keywords on TikTok

What are keywords on TikTok?

Keywords on TikTok are specific words, phrases, or hashtags used to categorize and describe content, making it discoverable. They play a crucial role in helping users find videos related to their interests.

Can using popular keywords guarantee viral success on TikTok?

Using popular keywords can improve your video’s visibility, but viral success on TikTok involves a combination of factors, including creativity, timing, and audience engagement. While keywords are essential, they alone can’t guarantee viral success; it often depends on the overall quality of your content.

What’s the best way to incorporate keywords into my TikTok videos?

To use TikTok keywords effectively, place them in your video captions, descriptions, and hashtags naturally, making sure they relate to your content. Use them strategically to increase your video’s discoverability without overloading the text, keeping your content engaging and relevant to your audience.

Author
Gosia Chłopicka Marketing Delante
Author
Gosia Chłopicka

Copywriter

She has been working in marketing as a translator, copywriter, and content creator since 2015. Also a trained English teacher, she knows how to make complex ideas easy for anyone to grasp. In her spare time, she enjoys being active and captures moments at weddings and sports events through photography.

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Award - Deloitte 2021 Award - European eCommerce Awards 2022 Award - European Search Awards 2022 Award - Global Agency Awards 2022 Award - IPMA Award - US Search Awards 2021