How To Search on TikTok for Just About Anything – Hootsuite Blog

If you’ve never wondered how to search tiktok, that’s fair: depending on what the algorithm picks up, you might be distracted by funny bugs, dance routines, cute dog videos, and wacky mirror effects on your for your page.

but while it’s fun to scroll for a bit, it’s pretty easy to get lost or overwhelmed. what if you want to find that hysterical cat video you saw last week or expand your horizons beyond algorithm selection?

Whether you’re on the platform to market your brand, check out the latest videos from your favorite creator, or just impress your niece, you’ll need to know how to search tiktok.

how to search for videos on tiktok

we got it. falling down a tiktok rabbit hole is just too tempting sometimes.

but instead of mindlessly scrolling through the platform’s recommendations, you might want to check out something specific, like a cooking demo or the latest glow.

here’s how to search for videos on the platform:

1. Tap the Search icon in the top right of your screen.
2. Type the name or type of video you’re looking for into the search bar. This could be something like “dogs of TikTok.”
3. Slide to the Videos tab to see the top-performing content related to your search.
4. scroll to and tap any of the tiktoks you want to view in full.

how to search for filters on tiktok

People often think (myself included!) that tiktok filters and effects are the same thing. but actually there is a big difference between filters and effects.

tiktok filters change the color balance of what you are filming. effects add graphics, sounds, stickers and games to your content.

here’s how to search for filters on tiktok:

1. Tap on the Create icon in the center of the bottom menu.
2. Upload your image or video and tap the Filters icon on the right-hand side.
3. Scroll through the filters on the lower screen until you find something you like.

how to search effects on tiktok

You can always save or heart the video if you see a tiktok that uses an effect you like. but if you forget that, it can be hard to go back and find the effect.

the good news is that if you remember anything about a tiktok effect, even a rough term like “bling” or “mirror reflection”, you can probably find it using the tiktok search tool.

You can also use the search tool to find effects you haven’t seen before or play around with them in preview mode. this is how you will often find the best tiktok effects for the type of content you like to post.

here’s how to find effects on tiktok:

1. press the search icon and type a keyword in the search bar. If you remember the name of the effect, which appears at the bottom left of tiktoks that use the effect, that’s very helpful.
2. Can’t remember the name? Type in the characteristics you can remember, like “clown” or “disco.”
3. If there is an effect with that specific name, it will appear first. then it will be followed by the top performing tiktoks that have those terms tagged so you can find what you’re looking for.
4. Tap on the effect to see all the top-performing TikToks using that effect.

pro tip: If you see a video with a cool effect, tap the effect’s name to go to its home page and see other videos that have used the effect.



If you like it, you can save it for later by tapping Add to Favorites.

marking the effects you like when you see them will save you a lot of time.

how to search for sounds on tiktok

88% of tiktokers say audio is “essential” to their in-app experience. therefore, knowing how to find and use the trending sounds on tiktok can help you improve your videos and make them more attractive to your audience.

You can find the name of any sound in tiktok videos by looking at the bottom left corner. You can then tap it to see the top performing content using that sound and bookmark it for later.



to find a particular sound, you can search for it.

1. press the search icon and type a keyword.
2. Tap the Sounds tab to see all the sound results that match your keyword.
3. you can play a preview of each sound to help you find the one that matches what you’re looking for.

how to search for people on tiktok

Whether you’re looking for a tiktok creator that everyone is talking about or just want to find your friend’s profile, you’ll need to search for people at some point.

here is how to search for users on tiktok:

1. Tap the search icon in the upper right corner of the home screen.
2. Enter the name of a person in the top search bar. Suggestions will appear right below the search bar.
3. If none of the suggestions match the person you were looking for, you can type the person’s name and tap on the search option to the right of the search box.
4. all profiles with the same name will appear. You can tap the profile you were looking for or tap the follow button to the right of the profile name.

If you want to connect with people you already know, there’s an even easier way to find them. this is how to search for contacts on tiktok:

1. Go to your tiktok profile and tap the user icon in the top left corner of the screen.
2. On the Find friends page, there are three options listed above suggested accounts: Invite friends, Contacts, and Facebook friends.
3. touch contacts and allow access to your phone’s contacts.
4. if any of your contacts have tiktok accounts, they will appear now. you can tap the follow button next to their name to start following their content.

how to search for hashtags on tiktok

Just like on other social media platforms, hashtags make content more discoverable. On tiktok, searching for popular hashtags can help you find the latest challenge, dance routine, or trending viral.

here’s how to search for hashtags on tiktok:

1. touch the search icon at the top right of your screen.
2. Type in what you’re looking for in the search bar and tap Search.Tip: Be as specific as possible. For example, you could type the same of a creator, trending challenge, or other trending content like “rent free.”
3. The most relevant results will appear in the top tab.
4. Swipe to the Hashtags tab for all the trending hashtags that mention the searched keyword.
5. Tap on the hashtag you’re looking for to see all the TikToks that include the hashtag you searched for. You can also add the hashtag to your favorites so you remember it later on.

how to search on tiktok without an account

While you can’t interact or post content on tiktok without an account, you can search the platform.

Let’s say your Gen Z brother won’t stop talking about the Trendy Tortilla Challenge and now he wants you to star in his latest video. instead of saying yes right away, this is how you can search tiktok without an account to see what you’re getting yourself into.

1. search for tiktok and your keyword in your mobile browser.
2. Then scroll to the result that shows TikTok.
3. On the TikTok web page, you’ll see all the top-performing content related to your search.

note: the search experience on tiktok is very limited without an account. there is no option to search for content on the tiktok website.

how to search for duets on tiktok

A tiktok duo lets you share your video alongside another creator’s content. duos use a split screen effect, so their video plays at the same time as the original video.

Duets are a fun way to interact and collaborate with other tiktok users. Before posting your next duet, check tiktok for some inspiration first.

1. touch the search icon at the top right of your screen.
2. Type in duet in the search bar and tap Search.
3. The top performing content will appear in the main tab.
4. You can also browse more duets on the Hashtags tab.
5. If you want to find duets with specific people, just search “duet with @[creator’s username]“.

how to find your followers on tiktok

want to take a closer look at your growing tiktok fanbase? it’s easy to see who exactly follows you on tiktok.

1. Go to your profile.
2. Tap on Followers, and a full list of your TikTok followers will pop up.

how to search for gifs on tiktok

just like in instagram stories, you can add gifs to your tiktoks. you look for them when you create your tiktok.

1. Tap the middle + icon on your screen to start creating your TikTok.
2. upload or push an image or video to your tiktok as usual.
3. Then tap the Stickers icon.
4. In the search bar, type the name of the GIFs you’re looking for. Scroll through the collection until you find one you like.

how to find someone on tiktok from your computer

As the first mobile app, tiktok on desktop has limited capabilities. But if you find yourself without your phone and desperate to see the next tiktok from your favorite creator, here’s how to search for someone on tiktok from your computer.

1. type tiktok into your desktop browser. navigate to the home screen.
2. In the top search bar, type in the person’s name you’re searching for.
3. Click on the search icon. A list of top content, accounts, and videos related to the person’s name will appear.
4. click on the search result you are looking for to view the person’s profile. from your browser, you can only see a summary of the user’s profile that includes their videos and a link in the bio. you can’t see a list of your followers or who they follow on desktop.

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