TikTok SEO: Grow Your TikTok Organically

TikTok is the new kid on the block when it comes to online marketing. 

This means there’s plenty of opportunity but also lots of mystery…

How are you supposed to know what works and what doesn’t? 

Plus, millions of TikTok videos are posted every single day so it’s becoming more and more difficult to stand out. 

That’s why we decided to write this post, to bring you everything we’ve learned about TikTok SEO. 

Especially now that Google can index TikTok videos, we’ve been utilising a ‘search everywhere’ approach to our SEO strategies. 

To make use of our experience, send our team a message to find out more about our TikTok SEO services. 

TikTok SEO Strategy

There are several methods that our Tiktok SEO agency incorporates to boost the profiles of clients’ pages. 

To get the best results you’ll need to implement all of them while frequently posting new content.

Fortunately for you, we’ve picked up a few TikTok SEO tips that we’ll share below.  

Keyword Research

Keyword research on TikTok is different from most other search engines like Google. 

You will need to get creative in order to find what users are searching for. 

One trick is to use TikTok’s Keyword Insights tool to find trending keywords. 

All you have to do is enter the topic you want ideas for and it will return a load of keywords for you. 

Depending on your niche you may want to start broad with your search terms and then get more specific so you can see the popularity of your niche. 

This tool provides a comprehensive breakdown of keywords, along with their popularity, popularity change, and click-through rate. 

By using this tool, you can gain a deeper understanding of TikTok and optimize your content accordingly.

A simpler way to do things is to use the search bar in the TikTok app. 

Start by entering relevant keywords in the TikTok search bar and looking at the auto-populated suggestions. 

Say your TikTok focuses on makeup tutorials, tips, and reviews. 

Type “Makeup” into the search bar with variations of common search terms such as “Makeup for” or “Best makeup”

Take a look at the suggestions that Tiktok auto-fills; there are going to be loads of content ideas.

To go one step further, you can take common search phrases and keep adding letters of the alphabet for even more suggestions. 

Repeat this process until you have compiled a list of relevant keywords that align with your content.

Because there are so many keyword ideas, don’t feel pressure to create content on all of them. 

Only choose the ones that fit in with the style of TikTok you have or want to create. 

TIP: From our analysis, we’ve found that keywords on TikTok and YouTube are very similar. Seen as there are more research tools available for YouTube, you could leverage them for keyword research on TikTok. 

Hashtag Research

When you’re doing your keyword research take note of the hashtags popular videos are using. 

You can also go to TikTok’s Trend Discovery website to find what’s been trending over the past 7, 30 and 120 days. 

Hashtags play an essential role in TikTok’s algorithm.

They help determine what your content is about and how it should be ranked in relevant searches and For You pages. 

By using popular hashtags related to your content, you increase the chances of appearing in searches for those specific topics or trends. 

Using a mix of broad and niche hashtags will give your videos the best chance of ranking on TikTok. 

Broad hashtags have the power to reach a wide range of users, increasing the chances of your content being discovered by new viewers. 

These are often trending hashtags that are popular at the moment. 

By including these in your posts, you can tap into larger trends and gain exposure to a broader audience.

On the other hand, niche hashtags attract people who are already interested in content similar to yours. 

These tags allow you to target specific communities or topics within TikTok. 

When users search for or follow these specific hashtags, they’re more likely to come across your TikTok videos if you use them strategically. 

Incorporating relevant niche hashtags increases the visibility of your content among those who have a genuine interest in what you’re sharing.

Also, if you create location-specific content TikTok’s geological tags can be beneficial for you. 

Using these tags and relevant local hashtags can land your videos on TikTok’s Nearby feed, reaching an audience interested in content from that area.

Add Keywords & Hashtags to Your Account & Videos

To ensure that your videos are easily discoverable, it’s important to include the exact in the title, description, video cover, and even on-screen text like lyrics or explanations.

Additionally, don’t forget to say those specific keywords out loud at the start of the video as TikTok’s algorithms prioritise content where the keywords are spoken.

When using hashtags, make sure to include both your main keyword and any variations that make sense. 

This will help people find your posts more easily when they search for related topics or TikTok trends. 

However, it’s essential not to overdo it with hashtags. The optimal number of hashtags for each TikTok video is three to five. 

Adding your most relevant target keywords to your TikTok profile can increase visibility when users search for those specific terms. 

By doing so, you not only enhance the chances of attracting potential followers but also provide TikTok with an idea of what kind of content you post.

Use TikTok Trending Audio

One quick trick to stay updated with the hottest trends is to open TikTok and search for “trending sounds”. 

By filtering the videos to ‘this week’, you can find hot content that is currently trending. 

Utilising trending audio not only keeps your TikTok content fresh and relevant but also boosts your visibility in TikTok search results.

TikTok’s Trend Discovery website also contains details of the latest trending songs. 

Take a look through to give you some ideas of the songs that you can use to create videos. 

Incorporating these trendy sounds into your videos enhances the chances of appearing in TikTok search engine results when users explore related content.

Collaborate & Engage with other Creators

While not strictly Tiktok SEO, collaborating with other creators on TikTok is a powerful way to expand your reach.

When you collaborate with other creators, you tap into their audience base, exposing your content to a whole new set of viewers who may not have discovered you otherwise. 

This increased exposure can lead to more engagement on your videos, such as likes, comments, and shares.

Engaging with other creators goes beyond just collaborating on TikTok videos. 

It also involves interacting with their TikTok content by liking, commenting, and sharing it.

By engaging with other creators’ content, you not only show support for their work but also build relationships within the TikTok community.

This can lead to reciprocal engagement from those creators and their followers on your own content. 

Use Comments For Content Ideation

If a user posts a question or comment on your video then consider creating a Tiktok video in reply. 

This works well as the chances are that more people will have the same query. So it not only provides a follow-up or clarification but gives you more ideas for relevant content. 

It also encourages users to comment more on your videos which only increases your engagement. 

TikTok SEO changes quickly so building a rapport with your followers is a great way of connecting with what your audience wants and discovering new trends as they happen. 

Encourage Interaction

Remember to use calls to action (CTAs) in your videos. 

Remind people to interact with your videos in the comments. Some examples could be:

• Let me know your favourite in the comments!
• Comment below what you think…
• Post in the comments if you want to see part two

You’ll be surprised how verbalising this interaction encourages people to take action. 

TikTok Videos Ranking Factor

When it comes to TikTok ranking factors, there are three key points you need to focus on: 

1. User interactions
2. Video information
3. Account settings

User Interactions

The user interactions on TikTok play a key role in determining what content is shown to users on TikTok.

• Likes
• Shares
• Follows
• Comments
• Saved videos
• Viewer retention
• ‘Not interested’

This data is then used by TikTok’s algorithm to curate a tailored feed that showcases videos most likely to capture the specific users’ attention.

The significance of user interactions in TikTok SEO can’t be overstated. 

The more engagement users have with certain types of content, the higher the chances that similar content will be recommended to them.

This is why creating quality content is so important. 

Good Tiktok SEO can get your videos in front of a new audience, but if the videos aren’t worth watching then you won’t get the full benefits or new followers. 

Remember to encourage viewers to interact with your content, especially when you’re a content creator. 

It’s a great way to grow your audience and get individual videos into the algorithm. 

Video Information

To optimize your presence on TikTok, it’s crucial to provide relevant video information. 

This includes captivating captions, trending hashtags, and catchy music. 

Start by creating engaging and informative captions that accurately describe the content of your video. 

This not only helps users understand what they can expect from your video but also provides valuable keywords for TikTok’s algorithm to recognise and rank your content.

Also, incorporate trending hashtags into your video information to greatly improve its discoverability. 

Research popular hashtags related to the topic or theme of your video and include them strategically in your captions or comments section. 

By doing so, you increase the chances of your videos appearing in relevant Tiktok search engine results or being featured on TikTok’s For You page.

Account Settings

The account setting that a user has plays a role in the types of content that they see. 

However, it has a lower weight compared to video information and user interactions. 

• Language preferences
• Country location
• Android or iOS device
• Categories of interest

Keep in mind that while these account settings do contribute towards TikTok SEO ranking, they are not the sole determining factors for success on the platform. 

So make sure to create high-quality content, optimize your profile, and stay consistent to increase your chances of success on TikTok.

How Does the TikTok Search Engine Algorithm Work?

As you delve into the workings of the TikTok algorithm, you discover how it curates a personalised experience for each user.

This is based on their demographics, browsing history and interactions. 

It begins when a user creates a TikTok account. 

The app takes into account their age, pronouns, location (if allowed), and selected categories to show them relevant content.

As the user interacts with the app, TikTok will track this information. 

Interactions include scrolling past content that doesn’t interest them and engaging with videos that appeal do appeal to them. 

The algorithm then starts showing users more content similar to the videos that they liked and watched all the way through while filtering out content that doesn’t capture their attention.

Another factor TikTok uses is the cookies and browsing history on your device. 

This means that it can further tailor your experience by considering web pages visited outside of the app.

The more engagement a user has with the app, the better it understands their interests and can deliver an optimized stream of entertainment. 

This level of personalisation is what sets TikTok apart from other platforms as it consistently learns about its users’ preferences to provide an engaging experience.

How to Find What’s Trending on TikTok

To find out what’s trending, there are several easy methods you can use.

Videos

• TikTok Creator Centre: Find trending videos here
• STITCH feature: You can stitch your video onto the end of a relevant trend video and your content will then appear in the results when people search for the trend

Music and Sounds

• TokBoard: A third-party website that provides weekly updates on the top trending songs. This site is one of the best options for quickly accessing the relevant songs that you should be using in your content.
• TikTok Creator Centre: Here you will find a list of the most popular songs of all time as well as breakout entries. By selecting ‘Breakout’, you can see which songs are currently trending. The advantage of using this method is that it also provides detailed analytics such as when a particular song started trending, audience demographics, location data, and related sounds.
• For You Page: Scrolling through your will give you a glimpse at the sounds that are most commonly used. By engaging with this content through likes and comments, TikTok will serve you similar content and more trending sounds based on your preferences.
• Searching: Simply type in ‘trending sounds’ or ‘viral sounds’ in the search bar and click on ‘sounds’

Why Should You Optimize TikTok for SEO?

TikTok SEO helps the search algorithm find your content and connect it with the right people. 

Putting your content in front of the right people is the number one way to start increasing your engagement and building a following. 

When your content aligns with what users are searching for, it increases the likelihood of attracting viewers who find your content interesting and relevant.

TikTok SEO also enables you to optimize your TikTok video so that it appears in the For You pages of users who have shown an interest in similar content. 

This means that even if users aren’t actively searching for specific keywords, there is still a chance for your videos to reach them.

TikTok shopping has been announced for the Australian market with integrations for WooCommerce, Shopify and other eCommerce platforms. So it pays for brands to start building a bigger audience now. 

On top of that, Google can index and rank your videos if they’re optimized. So TikTok SEO goes hand in hand with started SEO content strategies. 

By implementing a strong TikTok SEO strategy, you can create content that is tailored to the interests and preferences of your target audience.

By focusing on creating relevant content that resonates with your target audience, you increase the chances of viewers engaging with your videos through likes, comments, and shares. 

This not only enhances user engagement but also improves the discoverability of your content among other users who share similar interests.

Ultimately, TikTok SEO allows you to be more intentional in reaching a highly targeted audience and building a strong brand presence on the platform.

How is Tiktok SEO Different from Traditional SEO?

The biggest difference is that you are optimizing video content rather than pages of text. 

While traditional SEO like Google search focuses on text-based content like articles and blog posts, TikTok SEO revolves around visual content in the form of videos. 

This means that to optimize your TikTok account, you’ll need to focus on creating engaging and visually appealing videos that capture your audience’s attention.

Another key difference lies in the method of discovery. 

In traditional SEO, keywords play a crucial role in helping users find relevant information. 

While this is true also true on TikTok, you can elevate a standard keyword SEO strategy with the use of hashtags. 

By using popular and relevant hashtags in your TikTok video captions and descriptions, you can increase its visibility and attract more viewers.

Each platform has different metrics and indicators for what they classify as successful content. 

On TikTok, engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and shares are vital indicators of a video’s performance. 

The more engagement your video receives, the higher its chances of reaching a wider audience. 

Whereas, traditional SEO places greater emphasis on authority and link building to rank high on search engine results pages.

Type of Content That isn’t Recommended on TikTok

Avoid creating content that falls into certain specific categories, as TikTok’s recommendation systems may flag it and prevent it from reaching a wider audience.

It is crucial to adhere to the TikTok community guidelines when producing your videos. 

If your content falls into the following categories then you might want to consider removing it. 

Duplicate content: Videos that are identical or very similar in nature.
Spam content: Videos that include unwanted advertising or deceptive practices.
Overly promotional:  Videos that are excessively promotional or contain misleading information.
Safety concerns: Videos that pose a threat to someone’s safety such as dangerous stunts can be flagged to avoid imitation.
Overtly sexualised content: Videos that include explicit material or nudity are prohibited
Tobacco and alcohol products: Videos promoting these items goes against the platform’s objective of fostering a positive user experience.

What is TikTok SEO?

One key to getting more views on your videos is by using strategies that help your content show up in search results and get discovered by a wider audience. 

This is where TikTok SEO comes into play.

TikTok SEO, or search engine optimization, refers to the tactics and techniques used to improve the visibility and ranking of your videos on TikTok’s search bar and the For You page. 

By optimizing your content for specific keywords and search queries, you increase the chances of your videos appearing in relevant searches.

To make the most out of TikTok SEO, it’s important to understand how the platform’s algorithm works. 

When users type a keyword or phrase in the search bar, TikTok looks for relevant videos based on factors like captions, hashtags, sounds used, and user interactions. 

It also considers ‘For You’ search queries which are phrases related to what users have previously searched for or interacted with.

By including popular keywords and relevant hashtags in your captions, as well as using trending sounds you can increase your chances of appearing higher in search results.

Remember that TikTok SEO is not just about getting more views; it’s about reaching the right audience who will engage with and enjoy your content. 

To see how our TikTok SEO agency can help grow your Tiktok, send our team a message and we’ll be in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I increase my TikTok followers using SEO strategies?

To increase your TikTok followers using SEO strategies, focus on optimizing your profile and content. Use specific keywords in your bio, captions, and hashtags. Also, use trends to your advantage to increase the chances of your content appearing on the ‘For You’ page. 

Can I use keywords and hashtags to optimize my TikTok content?

Yes, you can definitely use keywords and hashtags to optimize your TikTok content. By strategically incorporating keywords and popular hashtags, you can increase the discoverability of your videos and attract more viewers and followers.

Are there any specific tips for optimizing my TikTok profile for SEO?

To optimize your TikTok profile for SEO, focus on creating engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Research keywords to use in your bio and captions, and regularly engage with other users to increase your visibility.

How important is the engagement rate in TikTok SEO?

The engagement rate is crucial for TikTok SEO. The platform’s algorithm prioritises content with high engagement, such as likes, comments, and shares. By increasing your engagement rate, you can boost visibility and reach on TikTok.

Is it possible to track the performance of my TikTok SEO efforts?

Yes, it is possible to track the performance of your TikTok SEO efforts. You can use analytics tools provided by TikTok to monitor metrics such as views, likes, shares, and comments to evaluate the effectiveness of your optimization strategies.