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TikTok Hashtag Analysis Tool Tutorial

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of using Bellingcat's TikTok hashtag analysis tool. This tutorial is designed for those using macOS and assumes you have prior knowledge of the command line and have installed Homebrew, Python 3, and Node.js. If you're unfamiliar with these tools, please refer to Bellingcat's article on this tool for detailed requirements.

Prerequisites

Before we start, ensure your command line is open and set to your Desktop directory. The Bellingcat TikTok tool uses an open-source TikTok scraper, so our first step will be to install it. This installation may take a few minutes.

Installation Steps

Install the TikTok Scraper

  1. Open your command line interface.

  2. Install the TikTok scraper.

    brew install scraper-tool

    (Note: The actual installation command may vary depending on the tool's specifics)

Download the TikTok Hashtag Analysis Tool

  1. Visit the Bellingcat GitHub repository for the TikTok analysis tool (link will be provided below).
  2. Click on the "Code" button and select "Download ZIP."

After downloading, you can move the tool to your Desktop. Now, navigate to your TikTok project folder:

cd ~/Desktop/tiktok-analysis-tool

Set Up a Virtual Environment

Before running the tool, it is advisable to set up a Python virtual environment. To do this:

  1. Create and activate the virtual environment:

    python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

  2. Install the necessary packages required by the analysis tool:

    pip install -r requirements.txt

    This may take some time to complete.

Scrape TikTok Hashtags

Next, you can scrape TikTok posts that contain a specific hashtag of interest. Use the following command (adjust the #example to your preferred hashtag):

python scraper.py --hashtag "#example"

Wait for the scraping process to finish. When you see a message indicating that it was successful, you'll know that the posts (e.g., 979 posts) have been saved to your computer.

Analyze the Hashtags

Now that you've collected the posts, you can analyze the data and discover other frequently used hashtags alongside your chosen one. Use the command below to determine the top hashtags, with 30 indicating the number of results:

python analyze.py --hashtag "#example" --top 30

Generate a Graph

To visualize your findings, you can generate a graph. Execute the following command:

python graph.py --hashtag "#example"

This will create a file that you can open to view the graphical representation of the top hashtags related to your choice.

Example Output

The analysis will reveal the top 30 hashtags that frequently appear with your specified hashtag, providing valuable insights into TikTok trends.

Conclusion

Thank you for following along. I hope this tutorial proves helpful for your exploration of TikTok hashtags using Bellingcat’s analysis tool.

Keywords

  • Bellingcat
  • TikTok
  • Hashtag analysis
  • Scraper
  • Command line
  • Python
  • Virtual environment
  • Data visualization

FAQ

Q1: Do I need any specific software installed before using the Bellingcat TikTok tool?
A1: Yes, you need Homebrew, Python 3, and Node.js installed, along with some familiarity with the command line.

Q2: Can I analyze hashtags other than “#ukraine”?
A2: Absolutely! You can choose any hashtag you find interesting for your analysis.

Q3: What if I encounter issues when installing the scraper?
A3: Ensure you are using the correct installation command and that your command line has the necessary permissions. Refer to the tool’s documentation for troubleshooting tips.

Q4: How can I visualize the results of my hashtag analysis?
A4: You can generate graphs using the tool's graphing functionality, which creates a file for you to view the top hashtags visually.

Q5: Where can I find the Bellingcat TikTok analysis tool?
A5: The tool is available on GitHub; a link should be provided in relevant articles or documentation.

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