For a small business, making a mark on a platform like TikTok, which is saturated with content, can feel like an uphill battle. With over one billion active users each month and holding the title of most-downloaded app of 2022, it’s understandable why brands, big and small, are clamoring to connect with their audience on this trendy short-form video app.
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So, how can your small business carve out a space and ensure your content reaches the right eyes? One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is the use of hashtags.
This article will delve into the world of TikTok hashtags, exploring the most effective ones for businesses to boost engagement and outlining why they are so crucial in the first place.
Decoding the Power of TikTok Hashtags
Hashtags, in essence, act as bridges connecting your posts with new audiences across social media platforms, and TikTok is no different. Let’s explore the reasons why TikTok hashtags should be an integral part of your strategy.
Amplifying Your Visibility
By incorporating hashtags into your TikTok posts, you increase the chances of appearing on a user’s FYP (For You Page) or within the app’s search results when someone looks for a particular phrase or hashtag. Moreover, as TikTok evolves into a search engine in its own right (no, really!), embedding hashtags in your captions becomes even more critical. This ensures your content pops up when users search for information, products, or services that align with your offerings.
Fueling Engagement
The wider the reach of your TikTok posts, the higher the likelihood of boosting engagement, gaining new followers, and experiencing overall growth on your TikTok account. Discover more strategies to get TikTok followers in our related guide.
Free guideCultivating a Thriving Community
Leveraging hashtags related to your niche or local area can be instrumental in fostering a strong community on TikTok. By participating in trending TikTok hashtag challenges or incorporating hashtags relevant to your potential customers’ needs and interests, you spark conversations with your audience and open doors to gaining new customers from this immensely popular platform. In fact, well-chosen TikTok hashtags might even lead to other inspired users featuring your videos in their own content through stitches.
Mastering the Art of Using TikTok Hashtags
Incorporating TikTok hashtags is a breeze. It’s as straightforward as using them on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. To create a TikTok hashtag, simply type the pound/hash symbol (#) followed by your desired hashtag text, just like this: #likethis.
An example of where you can include hashtags in your TikToks.
Read on for valuable tips on selecting and using TikTok hashtags effectively for your business.
TikTok Hashtag Tips: Your Guide to Success
Follow these best practices to build a winning TikTok hashtag strategy.
Relevance is Key
Always opt for hashtags that complement the theme of your video content or campaign. While it’s tempting to chase the most popular TikTok hashtags, prioritize those that align with your unique business objectives and resonate with your target audience. Choose hashtags that connect to both the content within your video and your overall brand identity. This reinforces authenticity and helps you avoid appearing like you’re desperately trying to latch onto the latest TikTok trend.
The Dallas World Aquarium nailed their hashtag game in this post.
Strike a Balance: Avoid Hashtag Overload
Refrain from cluttering your caption with an overwhelming number of hashtags (3-5 is the sweet spot). Your TikTok caption space is limited to 100 characters, so use it wisely with a carefully curated hashtag list. Focus on using hashtags that will resonate most strongly with your target audience.
The Power of Combination
Combine broad, trending, or popular hashtags with niche and branded ones for optimal reach and relevance. Remember, popularity doesn’t always guarantee better results. By striking a balance, you maximize your chances of connecting with the right audience.
This TikTok from Fuzzy’s Taco Shop showcases a strategic blend of branded, relevant, and trending hashtags.
Now that you have a handle on the basics, let’s explore specific hashtags to incorporate into your posts.
Your Ultimate Guide to the Best TikTok Hashtags
We understand that time is a luxury for small business owners, and hashtag research might not be your top priority. To streamline your efforts, we’ve curated a list of recommended hashtags, categorized by type, to help you capture the attention of potential customers and prospects.
Championing Small Businesses with Dedicated Hashtags
These hashtags are designed to shine a spotlight on small businesses, which can be incredibly valuable when competing with industry giants. While they are broad, chances are there are a few hashtags specific to your community that local businesses use to connect with their audience. Take a look at community and business accounts in your area to identify frequently used hashtags. Experiment to see if they resonate with your target audience. Additionally, these hashtags can be conversation starters, helping you build relationships with other local business owners for potential collaborations on future marketing endeavors. Hashtags promoting “shopping small” and “supporting local” can be particularly effective in attracting customers who are passionate about supporting local businesses. By using hashtags that emphasize the human element and the act of supporting a person’s passion rather than a faceless corporation, you are also tapping into your customers’ emotions to persuade their decision-making. Here are some small business TikTok hashtags to get you started:
- #ShopLocal
- #SmallBusinessCheck
- #Smallbusiness
- #SmallBusinessTikTok
- #Smallbusinesstok
- #SmallBusinessOwner
- #BehindTheScenes
- #SupportLocal
- #Shopsmall
- #Entrepreneur
- #SMB
- #growingbusiness
- #HowItsMade
- #inthemaking
- #trusttheprocess
- #inprocess
This self-proclaimed “Dog Mom” beautifully captures the joy of running a small business using #ShopSmall.
Zeroing in with Industry-Specific TikTok Hashtags
An effective TikTok hashtag strategy blends broad and niche topics, attracting new customers while engaging those already interested in your offerings. Industry-specific hashtags allow you to narrow your focus and target a more specific audience. By showcasing your unique value proposition and using these hashtags, you can:
- Establish your expertise and position your small business as a leader in your industry.
- Increase brand visibility and cultivate a loyal following passionate about your products or services. Stay informed about the latest industry trends to ensure your marketing and overall business strategy remains relevant and effective. Here are some industry-specific TikTok hashtags tailored for various sectors:
Hashtags for Dentists
- #DentistTok
- #Teethtok
Hashtags for Fitness Trainers and Gyms
- #FitnessCheck
- #FitnessTips
- #Gymtok
Hashtags for Home Services
- #HomeTok
- #Beautifulhomes
- #DIY
- #FixerUpper
- #homeimprovement
- #interiordesign
- #homedecor
- #homesweethome
Hashtags for Retail
- #Buynow
- #Shoptok
- #Shopping
- #haul
- #unboxing
Hashtags for Education
- #ClassInSession
- #SchoolsOut
- #Newsemesternewme
- #CourseRegistration
- #Teachertok
- #Schooltok
- #Kidtok
- #StudentTok
Hashtags for Healthcare Businesses
- #doctok
- #DoctorTikTok
- #Healthtok
- #healthy
Hashtags for Financial Services
- #moneytips
- #FinanceTips
- #investing
- #financialfreedom
- #wealthbuilding
- #incomemanagement
Hashtags for Auto Dealers, Garages, and More
- #carmaintenance
- #carforsale
- #truckforsale
- #dealership
- #autosales
- #Cartok
- #CarsofTikTok
Hashtags for Salons
- #beautytok
- #beautifulnails
- #beautifulhair
- #hairgoals
- #Hairtok
Hashtags for B2B Businesses
- #TakingNewClients
- #B2B
- #BusinessTok
This hat maker showcases his craftsmanship using #hatmaker and #hatmaking.
Riding the Wave of Trending TikTok Hashtags
Trending hashtags on TikTok gain popularity based on their usage frequency and view counts. By incorporating these hashtags into your content strategy, you increase your chances of attracting new followers and potentially going viral, leading to heightened brand recognition and sales. Moreover, trending hashtags help you stay current with popular topics and trends, crucial for appealing to your ever-evolving target market. The key? Timing is everything. Trends on TikTok can be fleeting. If you plan to create content around a specific trend, jump on it while it’s still relevant. Here are some examples of trending TikTok hashtags:
- #wheneverwherever
- #photogenic
- #ItsGiving
- #welcomhome
- #theoffice
- #photography
- #Vlog
- #Diary
- #Travel
- #goals
- #tiktok
- #funny
This bakery owner offers a glimpse into her workday using #DayInMyLife. TikTok readily shares trending hashtags on its website so you can stay ahead of the curve. You can even filter by industry and timeframe for tailored recommendations.
Cracking the FYP Code with Strategic Hashtags
The “For You Page” (FYP) is TikTok’s algorithm-driven feed that curates content based on user viewing history and interactions. As the first thing users see upon opening the app, securing a spot on the FYP can be a game-changer. Using “for you page” hashtags is believed to increase the likelihood of appearing on the FYP, potentially exposing your content to users who might not stumble upon your small business account otherwise. While TikTok hasn’t officially confirmed the effectiveness of these hashtags in guaranteeing FYP placement, many brands have reported positive results. Our recommendation? While there are no guarantees, aiming for increased reach is always a worthwhile endeavor. However, if you’re faced with a choice between a generic FYP hashtag and a niche hashtag more aligned with your brand, stick to your niche! Here are a few TikTok hashtags that might help you land on the FYP:
- #ForYouPage
- #ForYou
- #FYP
- #Explore
- #Discover
- #new
@thetipsytraveler_nc We took a leap of faith and Quit our jobs to open a mobile bar business and we are so glad we did! #fyp #trending #mobilebar #smallbusiness ♬ World’s Smallest Violin – AJR
This mother-daughter duo uses #FYP to attract customers to their mobile bar business.
Elevate Your TikTok Presence with Strategic Hashtags
A well-crafted TikTok hashtag strategy is non-negotiable when it comes to connecting with your target audience. It’s simple: even the most engaging, creative, humorous, or thought-provoking content needs to reach the right people to make an impact. By pairing relevant hashtags with your content, you can build a loyal community around your brand, establish thought leadership, connect with other small business owners, attract new customers, and ultimately, boost your bottom line. Start today! Experiment with different hashtags, analyze their performance, identify what resonates best with your target audience, and refine your strategy as you go. Happy #hashtagging!