TikTok Hashtags Guide: How Many to Use and Which Work

Do hashtags still work on TikTok?

Yes, hashtags still help TikTok categorize your video and help people find it in search, but they don’t guarantee reach. Watch time, rewatches, shares and comments matter far more to how widely a video is shown.

TikTok describes its recommendations as based on user interactions, video information (such as captions, sounds and hashtags) and device or account settings. Hashtags sit in the “video information” bucket. They add context; they don’t override how viewers react.

Think of a hashtag as a label on a box. A good label helps the box get to the right shelf. It won’t make anyone want what’s inside. For the bigger picture, see how the TikTok algorithm works.

How many hashtags should you use on TikTok?

Use around 3 to 5 relevant hashtags per video. That’s enough to describe the topic and audience without looking spammy, and some accounts have reported an in-app limit of five hashtags per post.

TikTok hasn’t published a single “best” number, and caption limits have changed over time, so check what the app allows when you post. More hashtags rarely help. A long block of loosely related tags can blur what the video is about and looks like spam to viewers.

A simple mix that works for most videos:

1. One broad tag for the general category, such as #cooking or #gaming.
2. One or two niche tags for the specific topic, such as #onepanpasta or #cozygames.
3. One community or format tag that your audience actually browses, such as #booktok or #tiktoklive.
4. Optionally, one trending tag only if your video genuinely fits it.

Broad vs niche hashtags: which are better?

Niche hashtags usually work better for small and mid-size accounts because they match a specific audience; broad ones add general context. Combining both is the safest approach.

If you’re small, prioritize tags where your video can stand out, not tags with billions of views where it will be buried in seconds.

Keywords vs hashtags: what matters more now?

Keywords in your caption, on-screen text and spoken audio now matter at least as much as hashtags, because many people use TikTok like a search engine. Hashtags work best as a supplement to clear keywords, not a replacement.

To make a video searchable:

• Write a caption in plain words that matches what someone would type, like “easy 10-minute pasta for students.”
• Put the topic on screen in the first seconds with a text overlay.
• Say the topic out loud. TikTok can generate captions from speech, which adds context.
• Then add hashtags that repeat the core topic and audience.

This also helps the video keep getting search traffic weeks after posting, long after the first For You push fades.

How to find trending hashtags on TikTok

The easiest places to find trending hashtags are TikTok search, the Discover or trending sections in the app, and TikTok’s Creative Center. Always check that a trend fits your video before using its tag.

1. Search your topic in TikTok. Type a keyword and look at the suggested searches and hashtags. These reflect what people are actually looking for.
2. Open a hashtag page to see the kind of videos ranking under it. If yours wouldn’t fit in, skip it.
3. Use TikTok Creative Center. Its trends section (built mainly for advertisers) shows popular hashtags, songs and creators, often filterable by region and industry. Availability can vary by country.
4. Watch your own For You feed in your niche. Repeated formats and sounds are usually tied to tags worth noting.
5. Check your comments. The words your viewers use are often the best niche tags.

Menu names change between app versions, so if you can’t find a section described here, check the app’s current layout or help pages.

Does #fyp or #foryou help you go viral?

There’s no evidence from TikTok that #fyp, #foryou or #viral boost reach. They don’t describe your content, so they add almost no useful information about who should see it.

The idea spread because many viral videos carried these tags, but that’s correlation: lots of people add them to everything. TikTok’s own guidance focuses on relevant hashtags and quality content, not magic tags.

Using one won’t usually hurt, but it takes a slot you could give to a tag that actually describes your video. If you want more For You reach, focus on hooks, watch time and posting consistently. Our guides on getting more views on TikTok and the best time to post on TikTok go deeper.

Banned, restricted and spammy hashtags to avoid

Avoid hashtags that are irrelevant to your video, linked to harmful content, or used mainly for spam, because TikTok may limit them or show a guidelines notice instead of results.

TikTok doesn’t publish a full list of restricted hashtags, and lists you find online go out of date quickly. Instead, check before using an unfamiliar tag:

• Search the hashtag. If TikTok shows no results, a safety message or a Community Guidelines notice, don’t use it.
• Look at the top videos. If they’re unrelated, low quality or spammy, the tag won’t help you.
• Skip “follow for follow,” “like for like” and similar engagement-bait tags. They signal inauthentic behavior and attract the wrong audience.
• Don’t pile trending tags onto unrelated videos. Misleading tags can frustrate viewers and may be treated as spam.

If your views drop after a change in hashtags, check your Account status and the video’s details for a notice. See why your TikTok views are low for the full checklist.

Hashtags for TikTok LIVE and promoting streams

LIVE streams are discovered mostly through the LIVE feed and your followers, so hashtags matter less for the stream itself and more for the videos that promote it.

A few practical tips for creators who stream:

• Give your LIVE a clear title with the topic in plain words, like “Trivia night: 90s music.”
• Post a short teaser before you go LIVE with your niche hashtags and the time you’ll start.
• Clip highlights afterward and post them with topic tags so new people find you between streams.
• Use a consistent series tag for recurring shows so fans can find past clips.

Interactive moments make the best clips. A close finish in Nitro Race or a dramatic wheel spin is easy to cut into a 20-second video. For more stream ideas, see our TikTok LIVE game ideas.

Frequently asked questions

How many hashtags should I use on TikTok?

Around 3 to 5 relevant hashtags is a good range. Mix one broad category tag with one or two niche tags and a community tag. Some accounts report an in-app limit of five, so check what the app allows when posting.

Does the #fyp hashtag work?

There is no evidence from TikTok that #fyp or #foryou increases reach. They don’t describe your content, so a specific topic hashtag is usually a better use of the space.

Do hashtags still matter on TikTok?

Yes, but less than many people think. They help TikTok categorize your video and help viewers find it in search, while watch time, shares and comments drive most For You reach.

Where can I find trending hashtags on TikTok?

Use TikTok search suggestions, hashtag pages, the trending or Discover areas in the app, and the trends section of TikTok Creative Center, which shows popular hashtags by region.

Should I put hashtags in comments or captions?

Put them in the caption. Hashtags in the caption are part of the video’s information; hashtags in comments are not treated the same way.

Can hashtags get you shadowbanned on TikTok?

TikTok doesn’t use the term shadowban, but using restricted, misleading or spammy hashtags can limit how a video is shown. Search any unfamiliar tag first and avoid ones that show a guidelines notice.