The Ultimate TikTok SEO Guide: How to Get Discovered Faster

The era of browser search is declining.

While Google has yet to phase out of public use, an unsuspecting player in the search engine scene has emerged – TikTok. You heard that right.

The social media app has gained significant popularity in recent years for its short-form video and excellent algorithmic FYP. However, it’s also gained notoriety for its search functionality, with over 74% of Gen Z using it for search and 51% even preferring it to Google for certain queries.

So, if TikTok is increasingly becoming a social media and search engine hybrid every day, then why are creators not treating it like such? That’s the thing: the top creators have been using search engine optimization on TikTok for years now – you may just not have realized it. Let’s break it down.

What is TikTok SEO?

TikTok SEO is the practice of optimizing your TikTok content for accessibility to the algorithm and TikTok’s users.

While SEO may stand for search engine optimization, when talking about TikTok SEO, we’re really talking about maximizing your content’s chances of discoverability on the platform organically. After all, the more people who can discover your content, the greater chance you have of building your community.

Why is TikTok SEO important?

TikTok SEO is ultimately important because it can greatly expand your discovery potential and grow your following. It’s like the change between getting a B grade and an A+ - your content is good, but it could be even better.

SEO is essentially the “behind the scenes” metrics and factors that TikTok’s algorithm uses to rank and show your content in users’ search results and the For You Page. It’s an essential strategy to get your content shown to the right people.

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How TikTok SEO Works

TikTok’s algorithm isn’t exactly public, but experts within the space have concluded that the following list seems to greatly influence post performance and should be looked at like a “checklist for success”.

It’s worth noting that while we’re only going to focus on the TikTok algorithm and the strictly SEO portion in this article, it’s not the only piece of the pie. Consider reading more about TikTok by signing up for our newsletter here or checking out our other expert-written blog articles here.

Keywords in Captions & On-Screen Text

Using a keyword-rich caption is a surefire way to make sure your videos get seen by your target audience, and utilizing on-screen text only reinforces that.

When you upload your video to TikTok and start posting, the algorithm analyzes your video’s content, your caption, and on-screen text to determine the keywords that the video is likely relevant to. Then, it uses that information to spread your video to the right people’s feeds.

So, how do we get the right keywords attached to our video? It’s simply a matter of being specific and being relevant. You wouldn’t put “watermelon” in the caption of a video that’s actually about strawberries. The same logic applies here: if your video is about pranking rideshare drivers, some keywords to include might be “Uber prank”, “funny pranks”, or maybe even “rideshare drivers”. Think about what your target audience is likely to search for or interact with and then base your keywords on that.

Using Hashtags (Properly)

Lots of creators fall into the “hashtag spam” pit, believing that it’ll get their content further reach. It will not.

In fact, TikTok recently updated its app to add a new maximum number of hashtags, limiting it to 5 per post. While some creators might see this as a hindrance, you should see it as an opportunity.

Forcing lower utilization of hashtags will make you focus on choosing the highest quality hashtags vs. just spamming a million and hoping for the best. Similar to how you chose your keywords for your video, you should apply the same mentality when choosing your hashtags. Look at similar content to the one you’ve created, see what they’re using for hashtags, compare them with your own, and find a healthy balance. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Trends & Trending Sounds

One thing that sets TikTok apart from every other social media platform is its trend economy. Lots of trends on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts nowadays originate from TikTok, and capitalizing on those trends can net you some massive follower growth.

You can find trends easily by just interacting with your niche regularly and spotting patterns or reused sounds as they pop up. I personally save videos to my camera roll whenever I see content that I can put my own spin on.

Another resource you can rely on is our Social Media Trend Report, which is updated weekly. This details all the latest TikTok trends, including what sound to use, how to properly jump on the trend, and an example or two for you to reference. Sign up for updates on our Trend Report here, or read the latest issue here.

Analyze your Performance and Refine

Now that you’ve got a better understanding of what TikTok considers SEO-wise, we’ve got to implement it in your posting strategy. Consider posting consistently for a week or two and then checking your TikTok analytics to see what you could improve upon.

We recommend taking a deeper look at:

• Your audience’s peak watch times

• Your engagement rate (how many likes/shares/comments vs. total view count)

• Your watch time (low watch time may indicate a quality issue)

Analyzing these key metrics should help you make better decisions when it comes to your content journey and account growth. Make sure to keep publishing consistently and improve one thing about your videos every single time, and you’ll grow faster than ever before.

Common TikTok SEO Mistakes to Avoid

There are many mistakes some creators make when it comes to optimizing their TikTok SEO in 2025. Here are a few key ones to avoid:

• Avoid keyword stuffing. This confuses the algorithm and makes it harder to rank your content.

• Avoid using irrelevant hashtags. As tempting as using #fyp may be, it’s not going to help you rank higher in the feed. Choose 3-5 relevant hashtags to the video for better ranking potential.

• Not using on-screen text. Despite what many might believe, on-screen text is one of the most effective ways for the algorithm to better understand your video’s niche, as well as reinforcing your audience’s interest in said video.

How Advanced Creative Media Helps Your TikTok Grow

We get it – this can be a LOT, and it’s only one small portion of what feels like a giant hill to tackle on the way to creator-stardom. Luckily for you, that’s exactly what we built our Creator Growth Program for.

By signing up for our Creator Growth Program, you will:

• Get access to major international brand deals

• Generous commission and paid ad opportunities

• Exclusive free samples and PR packages

• Program funds to help with gear purchases and virality

• Dedicated support team of social media experts

Our Growth Program was designed by creators, for creators. Discover how we can help you grow here.

Make Your Content Search-Friendly

TikTok is now so much more than just a mindless video app. It’s a source of information that younger audiences trust, a shopping mall showcasing new products from around the world, and an algorithm that knows you so well inside and out.

As TikTok ascends more to a search engine status every day, we need to start optimizing our content and our captioning efforts to grow even further. By using this guide to improve upon your own content efforts, you’ll grow significantly faster than every other creator who isn’t taking these steps.

This is far from the only thing you can do to improve your content. Discover what else you can do to improve your TikTok skills by signing up for new content notifications from Advanced Creative Media, or click here to read more of our blog.

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FAQ about TikTok SEO

What is TikTok SEO?

TikTok SEO is the practice of optimizing your TikTok content for accessibility to the algorithm and TikTok’s users.

Do keywords really matter on TikTok?

Yes, keywords matter significantly! TikTok has evolved into a search-first platform, and using clear, relevant keywords throughout your content will help your videos rank higher in TikTok’s algorithm.

How many hashtags should I use on TikTok?

Only use 3-5 highly relevant hashtags. Avoid spamming with generic or unrelated tags, as this will confuse the algorithm and reduce discoverability. Remember: TikTok has a limit of 5 hashtags per post, so use them wisely!

Can trending sounds improve TikTok reach?

Absolutely. TikTok prioritizes trends, especially those with trending sounds, so combining the usage of a sound with a relevant keyword strategy increases the chances of your content being discovered.

How long does it take to see results from TikTok SEO?

It varies significantly. Some videos may rank and gain traction within hours, while others may take weeks. What matters is your consistency and keyword alignment, as this will help your content become easier to categorize by the algorithm. Therefore, TikTok will have an easier time pushing your content to your target audience.