Imagine This…
You’ve created the perfect TikTok — catchy music, great lighting, and a killer idea. You post it, wait for the views to roll in… but nothing happens. Your video disappears into the feed, unseen.
The missing ingredient?
Hashtags.
On TikTok, hashtags aren’t just labels. They’re discovery engines. They decide who sees your content, which communities it reaches, and whether you go viral or stay invisible.
The good news? Finding trending hashtags on TikTok isn’t guesswork — it’s a skill. And once you master it, you’ll know exactly how to ride the wave of TikTok trends and get your content discovered fast.
This guide will take you from the basics of hashtags all the way to advanced trend-hunting strategies used by top creators and brands in 2026.
Why Hashtags Matter on TikTok
On TikTok, creativity drives attention, but hashtags determine visibility. Every day, millions of videos flood the platform, and without the right hashtags, even your most original content risks getting buried in the noise. Hashtags act as the bridge between your content and your ideal audience — ensuring the algorithm knows exactly where your video belongs and who should see it.
They play three powerful roles:
- Categorization – Hashtags help TikTok’s algorithm understand what your video is about, whether it’s fashion tips, tech hacks, or fitness routines.
- Discoverability – They boost your chances of appearing on the For You Page and in search results, giving you exposure beyond your existing followers.
- Community Building – Hashtags connect you with like-minded creators and audiences who share your interests, creating opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Simply put: if TikTok is the stage, hashtags are your spotlight.
How to Find Trending Hashtags on TikTok
Finding trending hashtags might seem overwhelming at first, but by following a few practical steps, you can easily spot which ones are worth using. Let’s break it down step by step.
Step 1: Explore the Discover Page
TikTok’s Discover page is your real-time trend radar. It showcases what hashtags, challenges, and viral topics are buzzing right now. By scanning this section daily, you can spot rising trends before they peak, view hashtag popularity stats, and observe how other creators are using them to spark engagement. Think of it as TikTok’s built-in trend report, always updated with the cultural conversation of the moment.
Step 2: Use TikTok’s Built-In Hashtag Suggestions
When you type a hashtag into your caption, TikTok instantly suggests related hashtags, complete with view counts. This is a goldmine for creators because it reveals:
- Broad hashtags with massive reach
- Niche hashtags with highly targeted communities
The winning formula? A mix of both. Trending hashtags give you visibility, while niche hashtags ensure your content reaches the audience most likely to engage.
Step 3: Leverage TikTok Creative Center
The TikTok Creative Center is one of the most powerful free tools for content creators and businesses. It highlights the top-performing hashtags across categories, industries, and regions. You can filter trends by timeframe or country, making it perfect if you’re targeting a local audience or global reach. Since it’s updated daily, it allows you to jump on trends before they’re saturated — giving you a head start.
Step 4: Use Third-Party Hashtag Analytics Tools
If you want to go deeper, platforms like Hashtagify, Exolyt, RiteTag, and Infludata provide advanced hashtag analytics. These tools track growth patterns, reveal engagement rates, and analyze how influencers are using hashtags. By identifying hashtags that are gaining traction (not just the ones already at their peak), you can position yourself ahead of the curve.
Step 5: Analyze Competitors and Niche Creators
Sometimes, the best insights come from your competition. Study the hashtags that your direct competitors or top creators in your niche are using in their viral posts. If certain hashtags keep showing up across multiple accounts, that’s a strong sign they’re fueling engagement in your niche. This approach ensures you’re not just chasing global trends but aligning with what actually resonates in your specific community.
Step 6: Mix Trending, Niche, and Branded Hashtags
A balanced hashtag strategy combines:
- Trending hashtags – to maximize exposure and ride the wave of popularity
- Niche hashtags – to reach smaller but highly relevant audiences
- Branded hashtags – unique to your business or campaign, helping build identity and loyalty
This three-part mix gives your videos the perfect blend of reach, relevance, and recognition.
Step 7: Track and Adjust Regularly
TikTok trends shift at lightning speed. What’s viral today could be forgotten tomorrow. That’s why it’s critical to monitor your TikTok analytics. Identify which hashtags bring the most views, shares, and conversions, then refine your strategy accordingly. Many creators maintain a “hashtag bank” of 30–50 options, rotating and updating them weekly to stay aligned with current trends.
Best Practices for Using Hashtags on TikTok
- Use 3 to 7 hashtags per post for the best balance of clarity and reach.
- Pair hashtags with trending sounds or challenges to amplify algorithmic visibility.
- Localize hashtags when targeting specific regions or communities.
- Keep your hashtag list fresh by updating regularly to match fast-changing trends.
- Prioritize relevance over popularity.
Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid
- Using irrelevant hashtags just because they are trending.
This may attract the wrong viewers and confuse the algorithm, lowering your reach over time. - Overloading your caption with too many hashtags.
Stuffing 15–20 hashtags looks spammy and dilutes the message you want to convey. - Relying only on generic tags like #fyp or #viral.
These are too broad and competitive, making it hard for your content to stand out. - Ignoring analytics and repeating ineffective hashtags.
If a hashtag doesn’t perform well after several posts, drop it instead of wasting space in your captions.
Final Thoughts: Hashtags Are the Shortcut to Discoverability
Finding trending hashtags on TikTok isn’t just about copying what others are using — it’s about being strategic. The right hashtags can connect your videos with audiences who are already interested in your niche, amplify your reach, and give the TikTok algorithm more context about your content. When used effectively, hashtags become the shortcut to discoverability, helping even smaller creators compete with established accounts.
That said, hashtags alone are not the magic button for virality. They work best when combined with engaging content, strong hooks, and participation in trending challenges or sounds. By consistently researching TikTok’s Discover page, keeping an eye on the Creative Center, testing different hashtags, and analyzing which ones drive results, you can develop a winning formula for growth.
In short, hashtags give your content the chance to be seen — but it’s the quality, creativity, and consistency of your videos that determine whether audiences stay engaged and follow you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many hashtags should I use per TikTok post?
The sweet spot is usually between three and seven hashtags. Using too few may limit your video’s discoverability, while adding too many can make your caption look cluttered and confuse the algorithm. Think of hashtags as signals — you want just enough to clarify your video’s theme without overwhelming the system.
Are hashtags like #fyp or #viral still effective?
Generic hashtags like #fyp, #viral, or #trending are heavily saturated. On their own, they rarely boost performance. However, they can still be used in combination with niche-specific hashtags that describe your video’s actual topic. For example, pairing #fyp with a targeted hashtag like #FoodTok or #FitnessTips gives you both broad exposure and niche relevance.
How often do trending hashtags change on TikTok?
TikTok is a fast-moving platform, and trending hashtags can shift almost daily. A hashtag that’s trending today may lose traction tomorrow. To stay ahead, make it a habit to check TikTok’s Discover page and Creative Center at least 3–4 times a week. This ensures you’re not relying on outdated tags and are always in sync with what’s currently buzzing.
Should I create my own branded hashtag?
Yes, branded hashtags are a powerful tool for building a community around your content. They make it easy for followers to engage, participate in challenges, or share user-generated content tied to your brand. For maximum reach, pair your branded hashtag with one or two trending hashtags. This way, your content stays connected to larger conversations while promoting your unique identity.
Do hashtags guarantee virality on TikTok?
No, hashtags alone don’t guarantee virality. What they do is increase the chance of your video being discovered. The algorithm primarily values watch time, engagement, and content quality. Hashtags simply push your video into the right feeds, but whether it takes off depends on how entertaining, valuable, or relatable your content is.
