TikTok SEO: How to Get More Views on TikTok Using Keywords

TikTok has become more than just a social media platform; it has emerged as a powerful search engine as well. In fact, a New York Times article stated that 40% of Gen Z users prefer TikTok over Google when searching for something online. Recognizing this trend, TikTok has started branding itself as a search engine, encouraging users to "search it with TikTok." With TikTok's search function becoming increasingly prominent, it's essential to develop a TikTok SEO strategy to optimize your videos and gain more views.

Keyword Research

Keyword research is crucial for incorporating strong keywords into your TikTok content, making it more likely to appear in search results. While traditional SEO tools like SEMrush cannot scrape data from TikTok, you can still find relevant keywords on the platform itself.

To begin, identify the primary topic of your video. For example, if you're promoting a small bookstore and want to make book recommendations, your primary keyword could be "book rec" or "book recommendations." With this primary keyword in mind, open TikTok and navigate to the search function, indicated by a magnifying glass icon on your "For You" page. Enter your primary keyword into the search bar.

TikTok will generate a list of related search terms based on your query. Review these suggested keywords and jot down any relevant ones that relate to your video. Additionally, clicking on one of the suggested keywords can lead you to even more niche and trending keywords, further enhancing your list of TikTok keywords.

Including Keywords in Your Video

Now that you have a list of relevant TikTok keywords, it's time to incorporate them into your video to maximize its visibility. There are two primary ways to do this: through speech and text.

Firstly, consider including the keywords in your speech while recording your video. TikTok can often scrape video transcripts, especially if you add auto-captions to your video. By incorporating your keywords in your speech, you increase the chances of TikTok recognizing them and recommending your video to relevant users.

Secondly, add the keywords into the text elements of your video. After filming, use the text feature to type in relevant keywords that can serve as the title of your video. For example, if your video offers 10 fantasy book recommendations for men in 2023, your title could be "10 Fantasy Book Recommendations for Men 2023." By including your primary keywords in the title, your video becomes more eye-catching and informative to users scrolling through the recommendations section.

You can also hide additional keywords in your video by shrinking down the text and moving it to the edge or corner of the screen. This allows the algorithm to pick up on these keywords without cluttering the video itself. Be cautious not to move the text out of frame entirely, as TikTok might mistake it for deletion.

After posting your video, don't forget to include the keywords in the video description and hashtags. Write a description that includes additional keywords related to your video content. For example, "10 fiction book recommendations for the new year from a Tolkien lover." Use relevant hashtags, such as #BookRecFantasy or #FantasyBookTalk, to further enhance your video's discoverability and narrow down your niche.

Lastly, engage with your audience by commenting on your video using even more keywords. This can provide additional context and information related to the video content, helping the algorithm identify your video as relevant to specific search queries.

Keyword

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FAQ

1. Can TikTok be used as a search engine?

   • Yes, TikTok has evolved beyond a social media platform and is increasingly recognized as a powerful search engine. Many Gen Z users even prefer TikTok over Google for online searches.

2. How can I find relevant keywords for my TikTok content?

   • Unlike traditional SEO tools, TikTok itself is the best place to discover relevant keywords. Use the search function on TikTok and explore the suggested keywords based on your primary keyword.

3. How should I incorporate keywords into my TikTok videos?

   • You can include keywords in both your speech and text. By using keywords while recording your video, the TikTok algorithm is more likely to recognize them. Additionally, adding keywords to text elements, such as titles and hidden text, further enhances visibility.

4. Where should I include keywords in my TikTok video?

   • Keywords should be integrated into your speech, title, video description, hashtags, and even comments. By optimizing these elements, your video becomes more discoverable to users searching for related content.

5. Are there any specific strategies for maximizing views on TikTok?

   • Developing a TikTok SEO strategy by utilizing relevant keywords in your content and optimizing various elements can significantly increase your chances of getting more views on the platform.