If you’ve ever wondered, “Do hashtags work on TikTok for real?”—you’re not alone. Many creators and businesses use hashtags without fully understanding how they work or how to use them for better reach.
But when used strategically, hashtags can make or break your TikTok content performance.
In this guide, we’ll answer how TikTok hashtags work, how many you should use, common mistakes to avoid, and actionable tips for getting discovered.
Whether you’re a growing creator or a brand trying to boost visibility, this article will give you a complete breakdown of TikTok hashtag strategy in 2025.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Hashtags help TikTok categorize and promote your content for better reach.
- Use 3–5 relevant hashtags—avoid irrelevant or overloaded tags.
- Mix trending, niche, and branded hashtags for a balanced strategy.
How Do TikTok Hashtags Work?
TikTok hashtags function like searchable keywords. When you include a hashtag in your caption, your content becomes part of a broader collection of posts using that same hashtag.
Users can discover your content by tapping or searching that hashtag.
Here’s what happens behind the scenes:
- TikTok’s algorithm scans your video’s metadata, including your hashtags, to understand what your content is about.
- Hashtags help categorize your video, so TikTok can show it to people interested in that topic.
- Trending and niche hashtags can push your video onto relevant “For You” pages or hashtag-specific feeds.
Example: If you post a skincare routine and use #skincare, #acnetips, and #glowup, your video may be recommended to users already watching or searching for skincare content.
In short, hashtags give TikTok context, guide discovery, and increase your chances of reaching people outside your follower base.
How Many Hashtags Should I Use on TikTok: Common Mistakes Explained
A common question is: How many hashtags is too many? While there’s no fixed rule, the best hashtag strategies avoid cramming and instead focus on relevance and balance.
Let’s look at five key mistakes creators make with TikTok hashtags.
Mistake 1: Using Unrelated TikTok Hashtags
Using popular hashtags that have nothing to do with your video might seem like a growth hack, but it’s actually a red flag for the TikTok algorithm.
Why this hurts:
When your hashtags don’t match your content, TikTok doesn’t know who to show your video to.
For example, if you post a recipe but use #DanceChallenge or #DIYRoomMakeover because they’re trending, the algorithm sends your video to the wrong audience.
When viewers scroll past it quickly, TikTok sees it as low quality and stops showing it to others.
Real-world example:
Imagine a financial coach tagging a budgeting video with #TaylorSwift. People expecting Swiftie content will ignore it, tanking engagement and signaling that your video missed the mark.
Pro tip:
Only use hashtags that match your niche, topic, or content style, even if they aren’t trending.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Popular Hashtags for TikTok
While irrelevant hashtags are bad, ignoring relevant popular ones is just as damaging. If you’re not using what’s trending in your space, you’re missing free exposure.
Why this hurts:
Popular hashtags come with high search volume and built-in audiences. Skipping them means your content might get buried while other creators ride the trend wave.
Real-world example:
Let’s say you’re posting a productivity tip and skip #WorkTok or #DayInTheLife because they feel too general. A competitor who uses them will likely get more impressions just because their content is tied to an active trend.
Pro tip:
Pair trending hashtags with niche-specific ones to expand reach while still staying targeted.
Mistake 3: Using Too Many Hashtags on TikTok
More isn’t always better. Cramming your caption with 10–15 hashtags can overwhelm the viewer and confuse TikTok’s algorithm. It will also take up all of the available characters for your caption, which isn’t ideal!
Why this hurts:
Overloading your post with hashtags confuses your message.
TikTok doesn’t know which one to prioritize, and your content might not rank well for any of them. Plus, long blocks of hashtags look spammy and reduce caption readability.
Real-world example:
A fashion creator uses all 100 characters on tags: #FYP, #OOTD, #FitCheck, #FallLooks, #WinterLooks, #SpringStyle, #FashionTok, #OutfitIdeas, #LookBook. Not only does this clutter the post, but it mixes seasons, niches, and styles in one video.
Pro tip:
Use 3–5 well-researched hashtags. This keeps the message clear and makes the algorithm’s job easier.
Mistake 4: Not Using Hashtags in Your Captions
Some creators skip hashtags altogether, relying on strong visuals or viral audio to carry the post. While this sometimes works, it removes a key way TikTok categorizes your video.
Why this hurts:
Hashtags provide context. Without them, your video may not get shown to your ideal audience. TikTok has to rely only on the visuals, sounds, and text overlays, which limits how accurately it can place your video on the right For You Pages.
Real-world example:
You make a video giving tips on freelance work but don’t use hashtags like #FreelanceTips or #RemoteWork. Someone looking for that content will never find it because TikTok won’t know to surface it in relevant searches or feeds.
Pro tip:
Even one or two targeted hashtags can dramatically improve discoverability.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Hashtags on Your Social Feed
Many creators focus only on the immediate reach of a video and forget that hashtags also help organize and brand your content long-term, especially for profile visitors.
Why this hurts:
When someone checks out your profile and sees scattered or inconsistent hashtags, it weakens your niche identity. You miss the chance to build a cohesive brand voice or theme across your videos.
Real-world example:
A wellness coach posts one video with #MindfulnessTips and the next with #FYP #Trending #Selfie, none of which relate to their niche. A new visitor might be confused about what type of content to expect.
Pro tip:
Stick to 3–4 consistent niche hashtags across your content to build brand awareness and make your profile feed feel intentional and professional.
Tips to Find Relevant Hashtags on TikTok
Finding the right hashtags is the key to getting your videos in front of the right people. Instead of guessing, use these five proven strategies to discover hashtags that align with your niche, audience, and content goals.
1. Use TikTok’s Search Bar
The search bar on TikTok is one of the easiest tools for discovering relevant hashtags. Just type a keyword related to your content—like “meal prep,” “small business,” or “fitness tips,” and TikTok will automatically suggest popular hashtags that people are currently searching for.
Why this works:
TikTok pulls live search trends, so you’re seeing hashtags with current momentum. Plus, each suggested hashtag shows its total view count, helping you choose between high-traffic and niche tags.
Example:
Search “budgeting,” and TikTok might show:
- #BudgetTips – 20M views
- #BudgetWithMe – 5M views
- #Budgeting101 – 1.2M views
Pro tip:
Try searching 3–5 variations of your core topic to build a well-rounded list of hashtags with both wide and narrow reach.
2. Study Competitor Hashtags
Keep an eye on what successful creators in your niche are doing. Analyzing their top-performing videos can reveal which hashtags they’re using to boost reach and engagement.
Why this works:
If a competitor has consistent views and engagement, it’s likely that their hashtag strategy is helping. Studying their posts gives you insight into tags you may not have thought of—and shows you which ones are worth testing.
Example:
If you’re a travel creator, look at other travel influencers. Do they consistently use #TravelTok, #SoloTravel, #DigitalNomad, or #WanderlustWednesday? If these show up in their top videos, they may be helping drive discovery.
Pro tip:
Look at a creator’s top 5–10 videos, not just one. If a hashtag appears often and those videos perform well, it’s probably working.
3. Explore the Discover Page
TikTok’s Discover tab (sometimes labeled “Explore”) highlights trending hashtags, challenges, and creator spotlights. This is where you’ll find what’s hot on the app, sometimes before it goes viral.
Why this works:
Jumping on trending hashtags early gives your content a better chance to ride the wave of engagement. Even if the trend isn’t directly related to your niche, you can often tailor your take to join the conversation in a unique way.
Example:
If you see #MondayMindset trending and you’re a productivity coach, you could create a motivational tip video using that hashtag—even if it wasn’t originally about your content type.
Pro tip:
Always add your niche hashtags alongside trends to keep your content aligned with your audience. This helps you go viral and stay on-brand.
4. Look at Hashtag Challenges
Hashtag challenges are interactive trends often promoted by TikTok or major brands, encouraging users to create content around a specific theme or action. Participating in these challenges can rapidly increase visibility.
Why this works:
Hashtag challenges often get featured on TikTok’s main feed or trend carousel. If your video gets picked up as part of a challenge, you’ll likely see a major spike in views—even if you have a small following.
Example:
A beauty brand launches a #GlowUpChallenge asking users to show their before-and-after skincare routine. If your video fits that format, using the challenge hashtag gives it a shot at being featured alongside others in the trend.
Pro tip:
Always check the challenge description or instructions. TikTok may ask for specific actions, sounds, or filters. Following those gives your video a better chance of getting featured.
5. Use Tools Like TikTok Hashtag Generators or Juicer
For a more data-driven approach, consider using third-party hashtag tools that suggest hashtags based on search trends, engagement data, and niche analysis.
Why this works:
These tools scan what’s working across TikTok (and sometimes Instagram) to suggest hashtags by category, popularity, and relevance. They often include performance metrics like average views or difficulty level, which is super helpful when optimizing your posts.
Example:
Say you input “home office setup” into a generator; it may return suggestions like #WFHSetup, #DeskGoals, #HomeOfficeInspo, and #ProductivityTips, along with view counts and ranking potential.
Pro tip:
Use these tools to create a personal hashtag bank you can pull from for future posts. Organize them by theme, like “productivity,” “lifestyle,” or “skincare,” for easy reuse.
Make the Most of Your Hashtags for TikTok with a Hashtag Tool
As we mentioned above, using a hashtag tool can take a lot of guesswork out of your TikTok strategy.
Let’s talk more about them. These tools help you discover trending tags, evaluate which hashtags are working, and organize your most-used or niche-specific ones for future content.
Hashtag tools go beyond TikTok’s built-in features by offering data, suggestions, and tracking capabilities that can sharpen your content strategy. Whether you’re a solo creator or managing a brand, a good tool makes it easier to stay consistent, intentional, and on trend.
Top benefits of using a hashtag tool:
- Discover better hashtags faster – Search by keyword or topic and instantly see trending and high-performing hashtags.
- Track hashtag performance – See which tags actually bring in views and engagement so you can double down on what works.
- Organize hashtags into groups – Create sets of go-to hashtags for different types of content (e.g., product launches, daily tips, or behind-the-scenes posts).
Popular TikTok Hashtag Tools to Explore:
- TikTok Hashtag Generator by Influencer Marketing Hub – Offers popular and niche hashtag ideas based on your keywords.
- TuckTools or All Hashtag – Great for creators wanting a mix of high-traffic and low-competition tags.
- Hashtag Expert – Mobile-friendly app that builds hashtag sets for different content themes.
- Juicer.io – Ideal for businesses that want to showcase content from branded hashtags on their website or social feed.
Pro tip:
Create a “hashtag vault” using a tool or Google Sheet to store your top-performing and niche-specific hashtags. This makes posting more efficient and ensures you’re always using optimized tags without scrambling at the last minute.
TikTok Hashtag FAQs
Do hashtags actually help on TikTok?
Yes! When used correctly. Hashtags help categorize your content, increase visibility, and guide the TikTok algorithm to put your videos in front of the right audience. Videos with relevant hashtags tend to get more views and better reach.
What is the 3 by 3 hashtag rule on TikTok?
The “3×3” rule suggests using:
- 3 broad hashtags (like #foryou, #viral, #trending)
- 3 niche-specific hashtags (like #plussizefashion or #solopreneur)
- 3 personalized or branded hashtags (like #YourBrandName or a slogan)
This combo gives you the best chance of hitting both broad and targeted audiences.
Do TikToks with no hashtags do better?
Sometimes, but rarely. TikToks without hashtags can still go viral if the video is highly engaging and benefits from strong watch time and shares. But hashtags typically give you a visibility edge, especially when you’re growing.
Do hashtags get views on TikTok?
Yes. While hashtags don’t guarantee views, they absolutely increase your chance of being discovered. They function as keywords that help your video get pulled into relevant For You feeds, search results, and trend pages.
Final Thoughts: Do Hashtags Work on TikTok?
So, do hashtags work on TikTok in 2025? Absolutely—but only when they’re used with purpose.
Whether you’re a brand, a coach, or a content creator, hashtags help your content reach the right people.
But using too many, picking irrelevant ones, or skipping them altogether can hurt your performance. Stick with 3–5 strategic hashtags per post, monitor your performance, and refine over time.
Hashtags aren’t magic, but when you use them smartly, they can give your content the extra push it needs to grow!
