Best Hashtags to Use on TikTok to Go Viral

Mastering TikTok Hashtags to Boost Algorithm Discovery

TikTok hashtags are more than just trendy add-ons — they are a direct signal to the platform’s powerful recommendation engine. When used strategically, hashtags can help you appear on the "For You" page and reach a targeted audience, giving your content the best chance of going viral. In this guide, we’ll explore how to leverage trending, niche, and branded hashtags, balance competition levels, and track performance so you always know exactly what hashtags to use on TikTok to go viral.

Understanding How the TikTok Algorithm Uses Hashtags for Discovery

TikTok’s recommendation system relies heavily on signals like content interactions, watch time, and — crucially — hashtags. When you add hashtags to your captions, you are effectively giving the algorithm contextual cues about your content. This helps TikTok categorize your video and show it to users who are most likely to engage with it.

The right hashtags can increase your chances of landing on the "For You" page (FYP), where most viral content is discovered. Choosing poorly targeted hashtags, on the other hand, may limit your reach.

Differentiating Between Trending, Niche, and Branded Hashtags

Not all hashtags are created equal. Broadly speaking, you can categorize them into three main types:

• Trending Hashtags – Popular tags currently seeing a spike in usage and engagement.
• Niche Hashtags – Specific to your community, audience, or content subject.
• Branded Hashtags – Unique tags created for your brand or marketing campaign.

Example Table: Hashtag Types and Use Cases

Researching Trending Hashtags via TikTok Tools

TikTok offers in-platform tools to help you find high-performing hashtags:

1. TikTok Discover Page – Shows what’s trending in real time.
2. TikTok Creative Center – Allows you to filter trends by region, industry, and timeframe.
3. Third-Party Tools – Platforms like Hashtagify or Inflact offer cross-platform hashtag insights.

Pro Tip: Research trending hashtags daily if your goal is maximum virality.

Balancing High-Competition and Low-Competition Hashtags

A common mistake is only using high-competition (very popular) hashtags. While they can offer exposure to large audiences, your content will also compete with millions of other videos.

An effective strategy is combining:

• High-competition hashtags: High reach but short-lived visibility.
• Low-competition hashtags: Smaller reach but long-lasting discoverability.

For example, pairing #FYP (high competition) with #VeganMealPrepTips (low competition) increases both broad and targeted reach.

Using Niche-Specific Hashtags for Targeted Reach

If you’re wondering what hashtags to use on TikTok to go viral, the answer is often the ones your ideal audience is already following. Niche hashtags work because they target communities who have a built-in interest in your topic.

For instance, a gaming creator might use:

• #IndieGames
• #GamingSetup
• #RPGCommunity

These hashtags may not be trending globally, but they attract highly engaged viewers who are more likely to follow and share.

Experimenting with TikTok’s Seasonal or Challenge-Based Hashtags

TikTok thrives on time-bound trends: holiday tags, seasonal events, and viral challenges. Examples include:

• #SummerVibes
• #HalloweenMakeup
• #NewYearGlowUpChallenge

Participating early in these trends increases your chance of appearing in trending feeds while they’re hot.

Avoiding Banned or Spammy Hashtags

TikTok enforces community guidelines, and some hashtags are restricted due to policy violations or spam. Using them could drastically reduce your visibility, or worse, shadowban your content.

Tips for avoiding risky hashtags:

• Check TikTok’s guidelines regularly.
• Verify tags before use (search them — if no results appear, they may be banned).
• Avoid misleading or irrelevant hashtags.

Monitoring Hashtag Performance with TikTok Analytics

TikTok’s built-in analytics offer valuable hashtag metrics for Pro accounts (free to switch). Track:

• Which hashtags drive the most views.
• Engagement rate per hashtag group.
• Retention time from hashtag-driven traffic.

You can find this data under Content Insights for each post. Use these insights to refine your strategy over time.

Updating Your Hashtag Lists Weekly

Trends shift rapidly on TikTok. A hashtag that was hot last week can quickly fade away. By maintaining a “live” document or spreadsheet of hashtags, you can:

• Add new trending tags weekly.
• Remove underperforming tags.
• Split hashtags into groups for easy reuse.

Combining Hashtags with Strong Content Hooks

Hashtags can help you get discovered, but they won’t keep viewers watching. Combine your tags with compelling hooks in the first three seconds, such as:

• Asking a surprising question.
• Making a bold statement.
• Showing a visually striking clip.

TikTok prioritizes videos that retain attention, not just those with hashtags.

Testing Different Hashtag Groups and Tracking Engagement

A/B testing isn’t just for website design — you can apply it to your TikTok hashtag strategy:

1. Create multiple hashtag sets with a mix of trending, niche, and branded tags.
2. Publish similar quality content with each set.
3. Compare performance in analytics over 1–2 weeks.

This iterative approach helps reveal exactly what hashtags to use on TikTok to go viral for your unique audience.

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Final Thoughts on TikTok Hashtag Strategy

For TikTok success, hashtags should be:

• Relevant to your content.
• Balanced between competition levels.
• Regularly updated as trends evolve.

By combining hashtags strategically with strong storytelling and precise audience targeting, you’ll increase your odds of going viral and sustaining growth over time.

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Pro Action Steps:

• Switch to a TikTok Pro account to access hashtag analytics.
• Track your hashtag performance in a Google Sheet.
• Set a weekly reminder to research new hashtags.

Ready to supercharge your content? Apply these TikTok hashtag strategies today and watch your reach grow — or build your own reusable hashtag bank for consistent viral opportunities.