How to Get More Views on TikTok Using Keywords？

How to Do TikTok Keyword Research

Keyword research is a fundamental component of any SEO strategy.

Identifying and integrating effective keywords into your content helps it rank higher in search results on platforms like Google. The same principle applies to TikTok’s search functionality—using the right keywords can boost your content’s visibility within the app.

For traditional keyword research, SEO professionals often rely on tools such as SEMRush and Moz to identify target words and phrases for their content.

Unfortunately, these tools were exclusively designed with Google in mind. While they can serve as a useful starting point for identifying related keywords and semantically connected concepts, they rely on Google’s data—not TikTok’s—to guide your research.

High-value, high-opportunity keywords on TikTok often differ significantly from trends on Google. Since there are currently no TikTok-specific SEO tools, the most effective way to discover relevant TikTok keywords is directly within the app itself.

Where to Find Keywords on TikTok

Before opening the TikTok app, ask yourself: "What is this video actually about?"

Try to distill the answer into a single word or short phrase. For example, if you manage a social media account for a small indie bookstore and regularly create content recommending specific titles to drive sales, your core topic might be something like "book rec" or "book recommendation."

This topic becomes your primary keyword—your starting point for SEO. Once you’ve identified it, navigate to TikTok’s Search page.

Type your primary keyword into the search bar. This is where the magic happens:

TikTok will generate a list of search suggestions related to your primary keyword—these are all semantically linked terms tied to your video’s topic. Copy relevant keywords from these suggestions to build a robust list of TikTok-specific keywords for your content.

For additional keyword variations, explore the search results page itself:

Click on one of the search suggestions.

Scroll down to the Others searched for section.

This helps you uncover niche keywords and refine your SEO strategy for hyper-specific audiences.

In this example, the primary keyword "book recommendation" can lead you to more niche keywords like "book recommendation fantasy," "Best Fiction Books for Men," and "cozy book recommendations."

While you might brainstorm some keyword variations on your own, pulling them directly from TikTok’s search tool yields better results.

Speed: It’s faster than manual brainstorming.

Relevance: TikTok’s suggested search terms are trending and popular within your topic, increasing the likelihood of your video appearing in relevant searches.

Visibility: Using these terms can drive more views from users searching for specific, niche content.

How to Include Keywords into Your TikTok Videos

Now that you’ve compiled your list of high-impact keywords, it’s time to integrate them into your video.

While incorporating keywords into your speech (if you’re speaking or using a voiceover) is essential, TikTok also analyzes text elements to determine search relevance. This means you should include keywords in on-screen text, captions, and even comments.

Let’s break down how to optimize each element:

1) Adding TikTok Keywords with Text Elements

The TikTok algorithm considers all on-screen text, but prioritizes text added using its native tools. If you typically edit videos with third-party software or repurpose content, ensure you add text directly in TikTok for optimal SEO.

Film and upload your TikTok as usual.

In the editor, click the Add text tool in the right-side menu.

You can incorporate your primary keyword into an on-screen title or caption to make your video more noticeable in search feeds. Using the "book recommendation" example, this could look like, "Ten Book Recommendations from an Indie Bookshop."

For subtler keyword integration, "hide" keywords by:

Pinching the text to shrink it as small as possible.

Dragging the tiny text to a corner of the screen.

(Note: Keep it slightly visible—don’t drag it completely off-frame, as TikTok may register it as deleted.)

This approach ensures the algorithm still detects your keywords and boosts your TikTok’s SEO, while keeping the text unobtrusive for viewers. The hidden keywords won’t clutter the screen or distract from your video’s main content.

2) Adding TikTok Keywords to Your Video Description

After "hiding" keywords in your video’s corners, tap Next to write your video description. Use a mix of your primary keyword and niche keywords to accurately reflect the video’s content.

Important note: Avoid keyword stuffing. While there’s no evidence TikTok’s algorithm penalizes this (yet, unlike Google), a caption filled with random keywords will turn off viewers. Keep it natural and relevant.

If you want to incorporate more keywords into the caption, TikTok hashtags are a great tool. While viewers will see them, hashtags are more acceptable than a random string of words. TikTok even shows the number of views per hashtag directly in the editor, making it easy to select high-performing tags and give your video an extra visibility boost.

Note: You can also use keywords in the names of your TikTok playlists to help them appear in search results.

3) Adding TikTok Keywords in Comments

After posting your video, kick off the comment section. This is a great general practice and a fun way to add witty insights or relevant details not included in the caption or video.

It’s also an ideal place to insert keywords.

Again, avoid overdoing it with random keyword 堆砌 (word salad). Ensure the comment feels relevant and adds value to the user experience. A natural way to incorporate keywords and spark conversation is by asking a question, such as: “Have any cozy book recommendations I missed?”

By following these steps to integrate keyword research and TikTok SEO into your content strategy, you can harness TikTok’s potential as a search engine. This means more organic views for your videos—no need to rely solely on the unpredictable For You Page algorithm.

Bonus Tip: Don’t set it and forget it! Monitor your TikTok analytics to measure the impact of your SEO efforts. Increases in views, likes, comments, and followers are signs you’re on the right track.

If you found this helpful, explore the rest of our Resources Library for more tips, tricks, and strategies to create high-quality content.