Best Hashtags to Go Viral on TikTok for 2024
Discover the most effective TikTok hashtags for 2024, from trending to niche and branded, plus research tips to boost reach and go viral.
Best Hashtags to Go Viral on TikTok for 2024
TikTok is one of the fastest-growing platforms for short-form video, and finding the best hashtags to go viral on TikTok in 2024 is key to boosting visibility. A smart hashtag strategy will help your content get discovered by wider, more engaged audiences — whether you’re promoting a brand, building your influence, or just sharing creative videos with the community.
In this updated guide, you'll learn how TikTok hashtags work, the main categories to use, research methods, and proven strategies to maximize your reach.
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How the TikTok Algorithm Uses Hashtags
TikTok’s recommendation engine uses hashtags for multiple purposes:
- Content Relevancy: Understanding your video's subject and categorizing it accurately.
- Audience Matching: Delivering your content to viewers who engage with similar topics.
- Trend Association: Linking videos to ongoing challenges or trending themes.
Each hashtag you use — alongside captions, sounds, and audience responses — influences what appears on the coveted For You Page (FYP).
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Trending, Niche, and Branded Hashtags
There are three main hashtag categories you should master and combine for maximum viral potential:
1. Trending Hashtags
Oversaturated but powerful for short bursts of reach.
- Examples: `#ForYou`, `#viralvideo`, `#tiktoktrend`
2. Niche Hashtags
Focused on a specific audience or interest area.
- Examples: `#fitnessmotivation`, `#booktok`, `#dogtrainingtips`
3. Branded Hashtags
Custom tags created by you or your campaign partners.
- Examples: `#NikeChallenge`, `#CreateWithUs2024`
Combining these types lets you appear in both high-volume search results and highly targeted feeds.
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How to Research Trending Hashtags on TikTok
Proactive research keeps your hashtag strategy fresh. Effective ways include:
- Checking TikTok’s Discover tab daily.
- Monitoring recurring hashtags from top creators in your niche.
- Tracking special events, holidays, and seasonal campaigns.
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Using TikTok’s Discover Tab and Creators’ Posts
The Discover tab gives you real-time insight into rising hashtags, sounds, and effects.
Steps to Leverage It:
- Open the Discover icon.
- Explore the list of trending hashtags.
- Tap a hashtag to view total video count, engagement rates, and content style.
- Evaluate which align with your content goals.
In addition, follow and evaluate high-performing creators to see which hashtags generate the most engagement in your category.
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Mixing Broad Trending Hashtags with Niche-Specific Ones
An effective blend could be:
- 2–3 trending hashtags for wide reach.
- 2–3 niche hashtags for targeted engagement.
- 1–2 branded hashtags for campaign recognition.
This formula keeps your posts relevant, discoverable, and unique.
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Examples of Viral Hashtags by Category
Here’s an at-a-glance list of hashtag examples that often gain traction:
| Category | Sample Hashtags |
|---|---|
| Dance | #DanceChallenge, #FYPdance, #TikTokMoves |
| Comedy | #FunnyTok, #ComedyChallenge, #LaughOutLoud |
| Fashion | #OOTD, #StyleTok, #FashionTips |
| Education | #LearnOnTikTok, #StudyTok, #LifeHacks |
Always test and refine hashtags to suit your audience’s interests.
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When and How Many Hashtags to Use
TikTok doesn’t enforce a hard limit, but best practice is:
- Use 3–6 hashtags per video.
- Start captions with the most important keywords.
- Avoid clutter — a clean caption improves engagement.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these hashtag pitfalls:
- Irrelevant Tags: Misleads the algorithm and audience, causing lower reach.
- Hashtag Overload: Using 15+ tags can confuse TikTok’s categorization.
- Ignoring Trends: Missing trending opportunities limits exposure.
- Static Strategy: Failing to evolve with new data reduces performance over time.
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Testing and Tracking Hashtag Performance with Analytics
TikTok analytics offers key insights:
- Top performing hashtags per video.
- Audience demographics.
- Watch time metrics for each tagged content type.
Pro Tip: Rotate hashtag sets every 1–2 weeks and note which combinations produce the highest reach and engagement.
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Tools for Finding the Best Hashtags
Third-party tools can enhance your research:
- Tokboard – Global trending hashtag tracker.
- TikTok Hashtag Generator Apps – Suggest relevant, high-engagement tags.
- SocialBlade – Creator and hashtag analytics.
- Exolyt – In-depth performance insights.
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Updating Your Hashtag Strategy Based on Seasonal or Event Trends
Major events and holidays create waves of temporary but viral hashtags.
Example: Valentine’s season often sees spikes for `#LoveTok` and `#ValentinesDayChallenge`.
Quick-Adjust Process:
- Check the Discover tab weekly.
- Join emerging trends promptly.
- Merge seasonal tags with evergreen niche hashtags for consistency.
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Final Checklist for Your TikTok Hashtag Plan
- Research trending hashtags at least once a week.
- Balance trending, niche, and branded tags.
- Limit to 3–6 hashtags per post.
- Keep tags relevant to content.
- Monitor TikTok analytics closely.
- Refresh hashtag sets regularly.
- Incorporate seasonal or event-specific tags.
- Analyze competitor hashtag use.
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Conclusion
The best hashtags to go viral on TikTok in 2024 rely on more than just copying trends — they come from understanding your audience, creating the right tag mix, and refining your approach through analytics. By staying up-to-date with platform changes, leveraging popular yet relevant tags, and experimenting consistently, your chances of hitting the For You Page rise dramatically.
Start applying these strategies today to give your TikTok content the reach it deserves — and make this the year your videos truly go viral.
