How to Use TikTok Hashtags to Boost Visibility for Your Business in 2025

If you’re trying to grow on TikTok, using the right hashtags can make a big difference. Whether you’re aiming for more views, stronger engagement, or just trying to land on the For You page, a smart TikTok hashtag strategy helps you get noticed by the right audience without relying on paid ads.

However, it’s not just about slapping on a few trending TikTok hashtags and hoping for the best. You need to understand what hashtags actually do, how to discover the ones that matter to your niche, and how to use them in a way that feels natural and intentional.

In this guide, we’ll break down how hashtags work, how to find the best TikTok hashtags for your business or personal brand, and how to incorporate them into your strategy to expand your reach and show up in front of the right people.

What are TikTok hashtags?

TikTok hashtags are words or phrases that follow the “#” symbol — like #SkinTok, #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, or #FiltervsReality. They help organize content on the platform and make it easier for users to discover videos related to their interests. Similar to Instagram or YouTube, hashtags allow creators and brands to join conversations, surface in search results, and tap into trending topics.

Using relevant, niche, or trending TikTok hashtags helps increase your content’s reach by signaling to both users and the algorithm what your video is about. When used strategically, hashtags are a simple yet powerful way to boost visibility and engagement.

Why use TikTok hashtags

If you’re still wondering what hashtags can actually do for your business on TikTok, here are a few reasons they’re worth including in your strategy.

Boost discoverability

TikTok hashtags help the algorithm figure out what your content is about and who might want to see it. When you use hashtags that match your video’s topic, you’re more likely to show up in front of viewers already interested in that content.

Hashtags like #CarMustHaves or #PackingForSweden don’t just look good — they match user searches, increasing your chances of being discovered. A strong TikTok hashtag strategy focused on relevant keywords can help you land on the For You Page of the right audience.

Build community

Hashtags act as content tags that improve how TikTok organizes and recommends videos. However, their role goes beyond that. Popular TikTok hashtags like #BookTok, #VanLife, or #EcoTravel aren’t just searchable terms; they are active communities. They help gather users around shared interests, niche content, or common values.

You can also create your own brand hashtags to engage your audience, spark user-generated content, and connect with potential brand advocates.

Spot trends

TikTok trends come and go fast, but using trending TikTok hashtags at the right time can seriously boost your content visibility. Hashtags often reflect bigger cultural moments like viral sounds, creative formats, or popular challenges.

If your content aligns with these themes and includes the right viral TikTok hashtags, you increase your chances of appearing on more users’ For You Pages. Whether it’s #SpicyBowl or #InMyCart, riding the wave of what’s trending can give your content momentum.

Get content ideas

Hashtags are also great for research and creative inspiration. Searching top TikTok hashtags in your niche can help you spot what’s working for other creators and brands. You’ll discover content formats, storytelling styles, and hook ideas that drive real engagement. It’s also a smart way to identify content gaps where your brand can stand out.

For example, browsing hashtags like #UnboxingHaul or #ProductReview can reveal common hooks, popular transitions, and viewer reactions that spark purchase intent. You might even come across a new format or trend to remix in your own style.

Key types of TikTok hashtags every business should use

Not sure what hashtags to use on TikTok? Whether you’re a small brand or an established business, there are several types of TikTok hashtags that can help boost your reach and attract the right audience. Here’s a breakdown of the most useful ones.

Trending hashtags to join viral moments

Trending or viral TikTok hashtags are often tied to challenges, memes, pop culture, or current events. These hashtags are popular at the moment, and using them can give your content a short-term visibility boost by tapping into what’s hot on the platform.

You can explore the TikTok Creative Center, where you’ll find trending TikTok hashtags by region or category. You can also search TikTok directly to see what hashtags are showing up in viral videos.

Here’s an example by Atomic Ski using a trending #BallerinaCappuchinna hashtag:

Niche hashtags to target your ideal audience

Niche or industry-specific TikTok hashtags relate directly to your product, service, or market. These hashtags help you connect with users who are already interested in what you offer — whether it’s #HandmadeJewelry, #VeganRecipes, or #TechReviews.

These hashtags often come with less competition than broader ones, making them great for building a loyal and highly engaged following.

Here’s an example by Duolingo using the niche hashtag #LanguageLearning:

Branded hashtags to grow your community

Branded hashtags are unique to your business, campaign, or product. They’re a central piece of many TikTok hashtag strategies, helping businesses build a sense of identity and invite user participation.

To popularize branded hashtags on TikTok, use them consistently in your own content and encourage your audience to do the same. You can even launch hashtag challenges or giveaways to spread it organically.

Check out how Nike effectively uses the branded hashtag #NikeFootball.

Location hashtags to connect with users in your area

Location hashtags include a city, region, or specific place, for example, #NYCPhotographer, #WarsawFood, or #norwaytravel. They help local businesses or service providers get discovered by nearby users or people planning to visit the area.

Check out this TikTok video from Secret London featuring the location-specific hashtag #steakrestaurantinlondon.

Professional hashtags to build credibility

Professional hashtags are closely related to niche hashtags, but they are meant to highlight your industry, expertise, or type of business — #NutritionCoach, #WomenInBusiness, #EntrepreneurLife, #BusinessMentor, etc.

For example, if you run a small business and share content about your journey, behind-the-scenes operations, or helpful tips, you can use small business hashtags like #SmallBusinessOwner, #SupportSmallBusiness, and similar. It will help you establish authority and attract both clients and peers.

Here is a TikTok video from Set Active that includes professional hashtags #Copywriter and #CreativeCareers:

Content-type hashtags to signal video format

Content-type hashtags indicate how your video is presented rather than what it’s about. These include popular hashtags like #StoryTime, #Tutorial, #POV, and #BehindTheScenes. They help users quickly understand your content style and attract people who prefer specific formats.

They’re especially beneficial for creators, educators, and small businesses that produce recurring content series.

Take a look at this example by Notion using the content-type hashtag #GRWM:

How to create a TikTok hashtag strategy that works

Once you know what hashtags to use on TikTok, the next step is to use them strategically to achieve the desired result. A well-crafted hashtag strategy helps your content reach the right people, drive engagement, and support your business goals. Let’s explore some tips on how to build the one that works.

Define your goal

Before choosing any hashtags, clarify the purpose of your video. Whether you aim to increase brand recognition, foster ongoing interactions, or convert viewers into customers, your goal will influence what hashtags you select and shape how you present your content.

Here are a few suggestions:

• for brand awareness, use broader and trending TikTok hashtags to reach a larger audience;
• for niche engagement, focus on hashtags tied to your industry or community;
• for conversions, prioritize branded or campaign-specific hashtags to establish a direct connection with your offer or product.

If your video serves multiple goals, blend different types of hashtags to balance reach and relevance.

Research hashtags that support your objective

Knowing how to find trending hashtags on TikTok is just as important as using them. Here are four reliable methods to uncover relevant, high-performing TikTok hashtags that align with your video’s purpose and target audience.

Explore the TikTok Discover Page

The “Discover” tab in the TikTok app is the most direct way to see what hashtags are currently trending. It shows a mix of hashtags tied to popular challenges, sounds, events, and formats.

When scrolling through trending hashtags, check out the videos attached to each one. Pay attention to repeat patterns; for example, some hashtags trend across several niches (e.g., #GRWM or #DayInTheLife). Take note of hashtags relevant to your brand’s tone or content category.

However, don’t jump on every trend — filter by what’s relevant. A trending hashtag like #BalletChallenge might not be suitable for a tech brand, but something like #ProductivityHacks might be.

Analyze what competitors and creators use

Your closest competitors or successful creators in your niche are already doing some of the research for you. Reviewing their hashtag strategies can help you spot what’s resonating with your shared audience.

Start by identifying three to five accounts in your niche that have good engagement, not just a high follower count. Then, review their top-performing videos and note the hashtags they consistently use. Compare which tags show up repeatedly — these are likely effective within your industry or community.

Use TikTok Creative Center for deeper insight

The TikTok Creative Center is a free tool from TikTok that offers detailed hashtag performance data, including trending hashtags by country, popularity scores, growth trends over time, audience insights, category-specific hashtag suggestions, and more.

You can filter hashtags by location, category (e.g., fashion, food, beauty), or time range (last 7, 30, or 120 days) to track hashtags with fast-rising popularity and check related videos to see if they fit your content.

Try third-party hashtag generators and SEO tools

While not TikTok-native, several SEO and content tools offer hashtag discovery features that use search intent, keyword volume, or competitor overlap. They are particularly helpful for finding evergreen or long-tail hashtags that aren’t trending but still have consistent interest over time.

For example, Hootsuite offers social listening features and can help you track hashtag performance across platforms. Ahrefs lets you explore related keywords and questions, which helps identify hashtags with SEO potential. The platform also offers an AI TikTok hashtag generator that suggests a list of hashtags tailored to your post.

Using a mix of these methods helps you uncover both viral TikTok hashtags and more targeted options that support your strategy. It also helps you avoid “random tagging” and create a hashtag strategy based on insight rather than guesswork.

Combine different types of hashtags

Using just one type of hashtag can limit your reach. To maximize visibility and attract the right audience, it’s more effective to combine different types of TikTok hashtags in a single post. This tactic helps your content perform better across TikTok’s search, recommendation, and trend-driven algorithms.

When researching what hashtags competitors or viral creators are using, don’t just look at the individual tags; instead, pay attention to how many they include and how they mix them.

A popular approach is the “3×3 Rule” or a hashtag mix strategy. Here’s an example of how it works:

This mix works well, for example, in a TikTok video showcasing sustainable bags made in Spain. You cover trend exposure, audience targeting, and geographic relevance all in one caption.

Integrate hashtags strategically

Where and how you place your TikTok hashtags matters just as much as which ones you use. Strategic placement helps the algorithm better understand your content and makes it easier for viewers to engage.

Here’s how to make the most of your TikTok hashtags:

• Caption placement. Always include your hashtags directly in the caption, not in the comments. This is where TikTok’s algorithm scans for keywords and ranks your content in search and discovery feeds.
• On-screen text overlays. Showcase one or two relevant hashtags as part of your video’s visual layout. This approach will reinforce your message and make hashtags feel more integrated, especially for formats like tutorials, brand campaigns, or UGC.
• Verbal mention. Saying a hashtag aloud, particularly branded or campaign-specific ones, can boost awareness and encourage interaction. It also makes your video feel more personal and intentional.

Even the best TikTok hashtags won’t make an impact without strong content backing them up. Use them alongside attention-grabbing hooks, good lighting, and clear storytelling to keep viewers watching and engaging.

Top brand campaigns using TikTok hashtags

Many brands are using hashtags to reach new audiences, build communities, and drive real business results. From viral challenges to branded campaigns, here are five standout examples of how businesses created the best TikTok hashtags to grow their visibility and engagement.

Chipotle with #GuacDance

To celebrate National Avocado Day, Chipotle launched the #GuacDance challenge, inviting people to post videos of themselves dancing to Dr. Jean’s “Guacamole Song.” The campaign encouraged fans to express their love for guac in creative ways.

Here’s a video example of the #GuacDance campaign on TikTok:

According to Forbes, it became TikTok’s highest-performing branded challenge in the U.S. at the time, generating more than 250,000 video submissions in just six days. The success of the campaign went beyond just the number of views; it led to Chipotle’s biggest guacamole day ever, with over 800,000 sides served and a 68% increase in avocado consumption.

It was a fun, trend-based hashtag campaign that combined UGC, music, and product demand, making it one of the most viral TikTok hashtags for a fast-food brand.

McDonald’s Malaysia with #McDDoDaDip

To engage Gen Z and boost sales of Chicken McNuggets, McDonald’s Malaysia launched the #McDDoDaDip branded hashtag challenge on TikTok. The campaign introduced four new limited-edition sauces and featured a custom remix of ALYPH’s hit song “SWIPE.” Users were encouraged to join the challenge by performing a finger dance with McNuggets, using both the branded audio and hashtag.

Here’s a video example of the #McDDoDaDip challenge on TikTok:

The campaign quickly gained traction, generating over 22 million views under the hashtag and hundreds of organic user video submissions. Most importantly, it delivered measurable business results, including a 6% increase in Chicken McNugget purchases.

This branded TikTok hashtag campaign combined catchy audio, product placement, and creativity to drive real engagement and sales — a clear example of how hashtags can support product launches.

K18 Hair with #K18Results

K18 turned to TikTok to boost product consideration and connect more deeply with the #HairTok community. Building on the success of earlier viral TikTok hashtags like #K18hairflip (11.2 billion views) and #K18Hair4U (78.1 million views), the brand launched the #K18Results campaign to demonstrate real hair transformations using its Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask.

To reinforce the campaign’s theme and inspire user-generated content, K18 partnered with TikTok Sound Partner Song Candy Media to create custom, science-inspired audio. This audio-first approach helped establish long-term sonic branding while inviting creators to showcase their results in creative ways.

Here’s a video example of the #K18Results campaign on TikTok:

As a result, K18 got 2,900 UGC videos tagged with #K18Results and a total of 24 billion views across K18-related TikTok hashtags. It also contributed to substantial growth in TikTok followers.

This campaign is a compelling example of how niche and branded TikTok hashtags can drive product credibility and community engagement in a saturated beauty market.

Singapore Tourism Board with #MadeInSingapore

To promote Singapore as a travel destination, the Singapore Tourism Board launched the global #MadeInSingapore campaign on TikTok. The initiative encouraged creators across eight key markets to share authentic stories and personal moments that showcased how everyday experiences in Singapore could feel unique and extraordinary. The branded TikTok hashtag served as a central thread, inspiring user-generated content that celebrated the country’s culture, food, and city life.

Here’s a video example of the #MadeInSingapore campaign on TikTok:

To scale the campaign’s impact, STB boosted top-performing creator videos as ads, helping the hashtag reach 95 million views and 24 million unique users. With more than 1,500 video submissions, the campaign successfully encouraged widespread participation and sparked global interest in visiting Singapore.

This TikTok hashtag campaign shows how tourism brands can tap into authentic storytelling through location-focused and community-building hashtags.

American Eagle with #AEJeansSoundOn

American Eagle launched the #AEJeansSoundOn campaign to connect with Gen Z by combining two of their core interests: fashion and music. The brand invited TikTok users to showcase their favorite AE jeans in videos using the branded hashtag, with the incentive of being featured on a Times Square billboard. This reward resonated well with the audience’s values around visibility and creativity.

Here’s a video example of the #AEJeansSoundOn campaign on TikTok:

The campaign significantly boosted brand engagement and helped position American Eagle as a style- and sound-driven brand on TikTok. With over 3.1 billion hashtag views (18% above target), 1.5 million video creations, 402 million likes, and 10 million streams of the campaign anthem, it became a standout example of how branded TikTok hashtags can fuel both community involvement and cultural relevance.

How to make the most of your TikTok hashtag campaign beyond the app

A strong hashtag strategy doesn’t have to stay on TikTok. In fact, reusing and reinforcing your campaign hashtags across different touchpoints helps you reach a wider audience and drive more consistent engagement.

Extend your campaign across platforms

If you’re already running a TikTok hashtag campaign, consider using the same branded or trending hashtags on Instagram, YouTube Shorts, or even LinkedIn — wherever your audience lives. This creates a unified experience and strengthens brand recall across platforms.

Create a dedicated campaign landing page

With the SendPulse website builder, you can easily create a standalone page to support your hashtag campaign. This page can introduce the campaign, embed or link to UGC from TikTok, explain how to participate, or highlight any incentives or contests.

For instance, if you’re running a challenge under a viral TikTok hashtag, the landing page can serve as the go-to destination for campaign details and real-time updates.

Use a smart link-in-bio setup

If your campaign is primarily focused on TikTok or Instagram, a link-in-bio page can help you centralize all your content. You can use it to feature top-performing hashtags, organize content by campaign or product, or link to relevant landing pages or store pages.

It’s an easy way to direct traffic from your TikTok bio to all the right places without relying on a single link.

Promote hashtags through emails

If you’re already building your audience via email, include your hashtags there too. Use SendPulse email campaigns to promote your TikTok hashtag campaign to your subscriber base, highlight the best user-generated content, or drive traffic to your campaign landing page or social channels.

Just be sure to include a clear call to action so readers know what to do next — whether it’s watching a video, submitting their own content, or sharing your campaign with others.

The bottom line

TikTok hashtags are more than just a discovery tool; they’re a key part of any smart content strategy. Whether you’re launching a branded challenge, tapping into trends, or connecting with niche communities, the right hashtags can significantly boost visibility and engagement.

But their value doesn’t stop on TikTok. With the right tools, you can take your hashtag strategy further, promoting it across platforms, driving traffic to a campaign page, and turning engagement into action. Tools like SendPulse make it easy to build custom landing pages, link-in-bio hubs, and email campaigns that support your TikTok efforts from every angle.

With a clear goal, strong hashtag mix, and smart distribution, your next TikTok hashtag campaign can go far beyond the For You Page. Give it a try and see where your creativity takes you.