The power of TikTok content is increasing day by day as users begin to realize its potential to boost their marketing strategy and maximize conversions. When building your audience base and gaining views on TikTok, one of the best things you can do is develop your TikTok SEO strategy. Without a doubt, it can help you improve your reach and engagement on the platform.
Now, what is the best way to turn your TikTok account into a successful one? A strong SEO strategy is essential for boosting the reach of your TikTok content. This ensures that your content is discovered by the right audience. If you are still unsure how to adopt an SEO strategy for TikTok audience growth, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about TikTok SEO.
What Is TikTok SEO?
SEO on TikTok is the practice of optimizing TikTok videos to achieve higher search rankings. Just like you would optimize your website’s content, these strategies help improve your TikTok videos’ search visibility not only on TikTok but also on Google. Previously, posts on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and other platforms were not visible in Google SERPs, but now they are.
Although TikTok is not considered a traditional search engine, it does have a search bar. Many users rely on it to find trending content. As a TikTok creator, you want your videos to appear near the top of the search results when someone searches using a keyword or hashtag. This is why having a proper TikTok SEO strategy is important for increasing your views, likes, and followers.
Why Is TikTok SEO Worth Investing In?
TikTok SEO is a powerful way to make your videos more visible and get more engagement. More people will see your content, and you can get more followers, reach more viewers, and bring more traffic to your videos. Adding keywords and optimizing your video details makes it easier for TikTok to recommend your content to the right audience.
TikTok has added features that help creators get discovered. The video description was increased from 300 to 2,200 characters, giving more space for keywords and details. Creators can also edit captions, hashtags, mentions, and video covers within 7 days of posting. The algorithm uses this information to understand your videos and show them to users who are most likely to enjoy them.
TikTok SEO Ranking Factors
TikTok considers several factors when ranking videos. To understand TikTok SEO, it is important to know the platform’s core ranking factors first.
User Interactions
User interactions are one of TikTok’s main ranking factors. This includes anything a user does with a video, such as liking it, hiding it, adding it to favorites, or watching it all the way through. TikTok tracks this data and shows users videos they are most likely to enjoy based on these interactions.
Video Information
The content of a TikTok video is another important ranking factor. This includes captions, hashtags, music, sound effects, and trending topics. Videos that include relevant keywords in captions or descriptions and follow trending topics are more likely to rank higher on the platform.
Devices & Account Settings
TikTok also considers device and account settings, such as country, device type, language preference, and the interests selected during signup. These settings help new users see content from creators in their region. While these factors influence rankings, they carry less weight than user interactions and video content.
What Is Not Included in TikTok SEO?
It’s important to know that TikTok does not consider follower count in its SEO ranking algorithm. However, there are still ways to gain more followers. TikTok content creators should focus on making content that connects directly with their target audience. When content matches what the audience wants to see, it is more likely to appear on their For You Page, increasing the chances of going viral.
Now, the question is, how does SEO on TikTok work differently from traditional SEO?
How TikTok SEO Works Differently from Traditional SEO
There’s no doubt that SEO for TikTok works differently from traditional SEO in many ways. Let’s look at the main differences between TikTok SEO and traditional SEO.
Video vs. Text
TikTok SEO focuses on optimizing video content, including visuals, audio, captions, and on-screen text. Traditional SEO focuses on text content like articles, web pages, and blog posts. This means TikTok creators need to pay attention to how their videos are presented, while traditional SEO relies on written content and structure.
Hashtags vs. Keywords
TikTok users rely on hashtags to find content, so creators should use relevant and trending hashtags in their videos. Traditional SEO focuses on keywords, which should match the content so users can find it in search engines. Using hashtags or keywords helps the algorithm or search engine understand what the content is about and who should see it.
Engagement vs. Ranking
Success on TikTok depends mainly on engagement, such as likes, shares, comments, and watch time. Traditional SEO focuses on ranking, where high-quality content has a better chance of appearing at the top of search results. Engagement on TikTok signals to the algorithm that a video is valuable and worth recommending to more users.
Understanding these differences is important for TikTok creators. Optimizing content the right way can help increase views, engagement, and followers. Following a TikTok SEO strategy ensures your videos reach the right audience more effectively.
Tips on Performing TikTok SEO
Now that you know what TikTok SEO is and how it is different from regular SEO, here’s how to start using it to grow your account.
1. Know Your Audience
Always think about what your viewers want. Whether you make videos about design, home improvement, or fashion, focus on what your audience is looking for. Check other creators in your niche to see what content works well and what people enjoy.
2. Use Keywords & Hashtags Carefully
Keywords and hashtags help TikTok show your videos to the right people. First, research which keywords are popular in your niche. Use short, clear phrases that describe your video. You can also add “trigger words” like “easy” or “no sweat” to grab attention.
Check trending hashtags in TikTok’s Creative Center. Use 3–6 word hashtags that fit your content. Avoid using too many unrelated hashtags.
3. Work with Other Creators
Look at other TikTok creators for ideas. You can also collaborate with them. Collaboration helps increase engagement, reach, and audience growth, even if it doesn’t directly affect SEO. Interacting with other creators by liking, commenting, and sharing their content can also boost your visibility.
4. Combine with Traditional SEO
Sharing TikTok videos on a blog, YouTube, or newsletter can increase reach. Make sure to use keywords in your titles, captions, and descriptions. Combining TikTok SEO with traditional SEO strategies can help more people find your content.
5. Encourage Audience Interaction
Make content that encourages people to like, comment, and share. Using the right keywords and hashtags helps people find your videos. The more engagement your videos get, the higher they can rank in TikTok search results.
6. Track Your Results
Keep an eye on your views, likes, shares, and followers. See what works and adjust your strategy. Regularly tracking your progress helps you improve your TikTok SEO and grow your audience over time.
Conclusion
TikTok SEO is a great way to grow your audience and get more engagement. Using the right keywords, hashtags, and engaging content helps your videos show up to the right people. Collaborating with other creators and combining TikTok SEO with regular SEO methods can increase your reach even more.
Remember to track your results and adjust your approach as needed. With consistent effort and the right strategy, TikTok SEO can help you reach the right audience, gain more followers, and make your content stand out on the platform.
Start optimizing your TikTok content today and turn your videos into a growth engine for your audience. Book a discovery call to see how we can help you reach the right viewers and boost engagement.
The Armful Media Content Team is a group of skilled writers, researchers, and strategists passionate about influencer marketing. We create content that drives real results, engages audiences, and builds trust, helping brands expand their reach and connect with their audience in meaningful ways.
