TikTok hashtags are more than just labels. They act as signals to the algorithm.
When you use them correctly, they can be the difference between a video getting only a handful of views or reaching the For You Page and going viral.
With so much conflicting advice, it can get confusing. Should you use three hashtags or ten? Do trending hashtags actually help? How do you figure out which ones are right for your niche?
This guide clears things up. You’ll learn:
- How many hashtags to use on TikTok for the best results
- The types of hashtags that boost visibility and engagement
- How to know what hashtags to use on TikTok for your niche
- Smart strategies for using trending hashtags without looking spammy
- The proper way to use hashtags in 2025 to maximize viral potential
By the end, you will have a clear and updated system for using hashtags effectively to grow your reach, attract more followers, and increase your chances of going viral on TikTok.
Why Hashtags Matter on TikTok
Hashtags on TikTok are more than decoration.
They act as signals to the algorithm, telling it what your content is about and who might want to see it.
This categorization is what helps your video reach the right viewers.
How TikTok Uses Hashtags
Here’s what makes TikTok different:
Beyond search: On TikTok, hashtags can directly affect whether your video lands on the For You Page, since the TikTok algorithm weighs hashtags as part of its recommendation system.
Relevance over randomness: TikTok values contextual accuracy. If your hashtags do not match your video’s content, the algorithm is less likely to promote it, and viewers may scroll past.
Better targeting: Learning how to use hashtags on TikTok effectively ensures your videos reach audiences who are already interested in your niche, which boosts watch time and engagement.
In short, knowing how to use hashtags on TikTok is about more than visibility.
Hashtags guide the algorithm to deliver your content to the right audience. The next step is understanding how the TikTok algorithm interacts with hashtags.
How the TikTok Algorithm Interacts With Hashtags
Think of hashtags as a roadmap for TikTok’s algorithm. They tell the platform what your video is about and help it decide who should see it.
But hashtags do not work in isolation.
The algorithm weighs them alongside other signals before recommending content.
What Hashtags Do
- They help TikTok identify your niche and connect your video with people interested in that topic.
- They influence who sees your content, especially when it comes to reaching new users beyond your existing followers.
- They improve the chances of your video appearing under trending hashtags on TikTok, which can give your content a visibility boost
What Else the Algorithm Considers
Hashtags are one part of a bigger picture. TikTok also looks at:
- Content type (what appears in your video)
- Captions (the words you pair with hashtags)
- Sounds (music or audio that can boost discoverability)
- User behavior (who engages with your content and how long they watch)
When these elements align, TikTok has stronger signals that your video is relevant.
One of the most practical ways to strengthen those signals is by knowing how many hashtags to use on TikTok for best engagement.
How Many Hashtags to Use on TikTok for Best Engagement
Creators often wonder how many hashtags to use on TikTok to go viral. The answer is simple: the optimal number is 3 to 5 hashtags per post.
Using too many hashtags, especially 10 or more, can look spammy and may confuse the algorithm about what your content is really about.
TikTok rewards clarity, so focusing on fewer but more relevant hashtags usually performs better.
The Best Mix of Hashtags
| Type of Hashtag | Example |
| Niche-specific (1–2) | #BookTok, #ReadingChallenge |
| Broad or trending (1–2) | #FYP, #TikTokReads |
| Branded or creative (1) | #MyBookJourney, #ReadWithMe |
| Community or challenge | #BookClubChallenge, #30DayReading |
| Seasonal or event-based | #SummerReads, #NewYearGoals |
This mix helps you reach new viewers while still signaling to the algorithm exactly where your content belongs.
In short, if you are asking how many hashtags to use on TikTok for best engagement, stick to 3–5 hashtags that blend niche, trending, branded, community, and seasonal tags.
The next step is understanding what kinds of hashtags go viral on TikTok.
What Kinds of Hashtags Go Viral on TikTok?
Not all hashtags perform the same.
To use them effectively, you need to understand the main categories that can boost your reach and help your videos go viral.
Niche Hashtags
These hashtags target a specific interest or community, making it easier for the algorithm to place your content in front of people who care about your topic.
Examples: #FitTok, #MomTok, #CleanTok
Best for: reaching a micro-audience that is more likely to engage with your content.
Trending Hashtags
Trending hashtags reflect challenges, events, or viral moments that are currently popular on TikTok.
- Use them sparingly
- Only choose ones that are relevant to your video
Examples: #InMyDenim, #BarbieCore, #FYP
Best for: short-term visibility, but they should never replace niche relevance.
Viral trends often combine hashtags with audio, which is why finding trending TikTok sounds is just as important.
Community Hashtags
These hashtags show you are part of a broader conversation or movement. They connect your content to communities and identities that thrive on TikTok.
Examples: #BlackCreators, #LatinxTikTok, #WomenInSTEM
Best for: building credibility and belonging to a larger network.
Strong communities often overlap with specific niches, such as those highlighted in the best TikTok niches for growth.
Branded or Personal Hashtags
A branded hashtag helps build your own identity on TikTok. This can be your personal tag, a campaign, or a series.
Examples: #AskLena, #CookingWithJay
Best for: creators developing a recurring series or starting a community movement.
Each type of hashtag plays a role in visibility. The next step is learning how to know what hashtags to use on TikTok.
How to Know What Hashtags to Use on TikTok
If you are wondering how to know what hashtags to use on TikTok, the best approach is to combine research with observation. Here is a simple strategy you can follow:
🔍 Explore Page and Search Bar
Type in a keyword related to your content and watch TikTok’s autocomplete suggestions. These are active hashtags that people are currently searching for.
🎵 Trending Sounds and Challenges
When you join a trend, look at what hashtags others in your niche are using. This ensures your content is both relevant and timely.
👀 Spy on Competitors
Check out what successful creators in your space are tagging. If they consistently get views with certain hashtags, chances are those tags resonate with your shared audience.
🏷 TikTok’s “Related Hashtags” Feature
When you type in a hashtag, TikTok suggests related ones. This is an easy way to find variations that expand your reach.
💡 Bonus: Use Social Listening Tools
Platforms like Trends24, Hashtag Expert, and TikTok Creative Center highlight trending hashtags and topics.
These tools help you stay ahead of shifts in audience interests and improve discoverability through TikTok SEO.
Once you know which hashtags to use, the next step is understanding hashtag placement best practices.
Hashtag Placement Best Practices
Knowing how to use hashtags on TikTok effectively is not only about which ones you choose but also where you place them.
Proper placement helps your captions look natural while keeping your hashtags impactful.
📌 Add Hashtags in the Caption
Always place your hashtags directly in the video caption. TikTok does not prioritize hashtags added in the comments, so putting them there can limit your reach.
Why this works:
- Ensures hashtags are indexed by TikTok’s algorithm
- Keeps engagement focused on your video, not the comments
- Makes your post look intentional and professional
✍️ Keep Captions Short
Write a concise caption, then add your 3–5 hashtags. This keeps your message clear without overwhelming viewers with text.
Tips for short captions:
- Stick to one main sentence or thought
- Use an emoji to add personality instead of extra words
- Save hashtags for the end of the caption
🔑 Place Key Phrases First
Start with your main thought or hook, then add hashtags at the end. This prevents hashtags from crowding your caption and makes your content easier to read.
Best practices:
- Lead with a value statement or story hook
- Add a line break before hashtags if your caption is longer
- Keep hashtags grouped together rather than scattered
Example:
“This routine helped me reset my week. 💆♀️ #SelfCare #ResetSunday #WellnessTok”
Placing hashtags correctly makes your captions cleaner and more effective.
But to use them wisely, it is just as important to avoid common hashtag myths you should ignore.
Hashtag Myths You Should Ignore
There’s a lot of outdated advice about how to use hashtags on TikTok, and believing it can hurt your growth. Here are the most common myths to avoid:
❌ Myth: More hashtags = more reach
Truth: Using too many hashtags (10+) can look spammy and confuse the algorithm.
Using too many hashtags (10+) can look spammy and confuse the algorithm.
Stick to 3–5 relevant hashtags for the best results, which lines up with research on whether hashtags are necessary on TikTok.
❌ Myth: Using only #FYP guarantees virality
Truth: The #FYP hashtag is popular but not a magic key to the For You Page.
Your chances improve when you use a mix of niche-specific and relevant trending hashtags.
❌ Myth: Trending hashtags work for every video
Truth: Trending hashtags only help if they match your content.
Irrelevant hashtags lower watch time, which signals the algorithm to stop pushing your video.
❌ Myth: You don’t need hashtags if you already have followers
Truth: Even established creators benefit from hashtags.
Even established creators benefit from hashtags.
They keep content categorized, attract new viewers, and increase engagement outside your existing audience, which directly supports stronger TikTok engagement.
Bonus Tips to Maximize Hashtag Performance
Once you know how to use hashtags on TikTok effectively, you can take things a step further with these advanced tactics.
🎵 Combine Hashtags with Trending Sounds
- Pair niche or trending hashtags with popular audio clips
- This gives the algorithm two strong signals: hashtags plus sound
- Increases your chances of being pushed to the For You Page
🔁 Turn Hashtags into a Series
- Create recurring hashtags like #30DayFitness or #OutfitOfTheDay
- Encourages viewers to follow along with your content journey
- Makes your profile look more consistent and engaging
🤝 Engage with Hashtag Communities
- Like and comment on videos under the hashtags you use
- TikTok recognizes you as an active part of that community
- Builds credibility and strengthens audience trust
📊 A/B Test Hashtag Combinations
- Try different mixes of niche, trending, and branded hashtags
- Track engagement, watch time, and reach over a few weeks
- Double down on the combinations that perform best
These strategies show TikTok that your content is relevant, consistent, and community driven. They also improve your chances of going viral.
Boost Visibility and Engagement with Bulkoid
Hashtags are powerful, but even the best strategy needs a push to gain momentum. Without enough initial traction, your videos may not get the visibility they deserve.
That is where Bulkoid comes in. Bulkoid offers high-quality followers, likes, and views.
These give your content the engagement boost it needs to reach a wider audience and increase your chances of going viral.
When you combine a strong hashtag strategy with real engagement, you create the perfect recipe for growth.
Bulkoid is especially effective for creators who are:
- Launching a new account
- Starting a series or challenge
- Promoting a new product or service
- Looking to strengthen credibility quickly
With the right hashtags and Bulkoid’s growth tools, your content has a much better chance of landing on the For You Page.
Summary: Hashtags Aren’t Everything but They Can Be the Start
Hashtags on TikTok can make a big difference when used correctly.
Stick to 3–5 relevant, well-researched hashtags in each post. Focus on a mix of niche, trending, and personal hashtags to maximize visibility.
Hashtags are only one piece of the virality puzzle.
Content quality, timing, and engagement also play a major role in whether your video takes off. Consistent posting during the best times to post on TikTok can multiply your results.
That is why pairing your hashtag strategy with Bulkoid’s growth tools is so effective.
👉 Start using Bulkoid today to grow your TikTok profile faster and unlock the visibility your content deserves.
