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

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?

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…

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.

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.

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.

✨ 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

• keywordtool.io

Keyword Tool homepage

• TikTok Creative Center

TikTok Creative Center showing trending keywords

TikTok Creative Center showing #disney100 metrics

• TikTokKeywords

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

As our SEO Specialist, Dagmara, emphasizes:

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.

a screenshot of Delante’s TikTok reel

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.