In the fast-evolving landscape of social media, TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse for brands seeking to engage with a younger audience. With over a billion active users worldwide, this platform is not just about fun dances and viral challenges; it’s a goldmine for brand monitoring and social listening. Imagine capturing real-time conversations about your brand as they unfold in trending videos and user-generated content. Understanding how to effectively leverage TikTok hashtags is essential for businesses aiming to track conversations, analyze sentiment, and monitor their brand reputation in 2026.
TikTok's algorithm thrives on hashtags, pushing content to the For You Page (FYP) and amplifying reach exponentially. For marketers, this means hashtags are your entry point to vast audiences and insightful data. This comprehensive guide will explore the significance of TikTok hashtags in brand monitoring. We'll cover practical methods to follow them, key benefits, trending examples, best practices, and pitfalls to avoid. Plus, discover how tools like SocialSonar can supercharge your strategy with advanced analytics and real-time alerts.
Whether you're a small business dipping your toes into TikTok or a large enterprise scaling social listening, mastering hashtags will give you a competitive edge. Let's dive in and unlock the potential of TikTok for your brand in 2026.
What are TikTok Hashtags?
TikTok hashtags are keywords or phrases prefixed with the # symbol that categorize content on the platform. They serve multiple functions: making content discoverable, connecting users with similar interests, and facilitating trends. Think of them as digital signposts guiding users to relevant videos.
For brands, hashtags are essential for monitoring discussions around their products, assessing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, and gathering insights into customer sentiments. For instance, a hashtag like #YourBrandChallenge can spark user-generated content, revealing authentic feedback. Unlike static keywords on other platforms, TikTok hashtags evolve rapidly, driven by music, challenges, and cultural moments.
Key Insight: Hashtags on TikTok aren't just labels-they're conversation starters that fuel viral growth and provide a window into audience behavior.
By tracking these, brands can pivot strategies swiftly. Tools like SocialSonar allow you to monitor hashtag volume, engagement rates, and sentiment at scale, far beyond TikTok's native limits.
How to Follow Hashtags on TikTok: Two Main Methods
To harness hashtags for brand monitoring, you need reliable ways to follow them. TikTok offers basic native features, but for comprehensive insights, third-party tools shine. Here are the two main methods with step-by-step instructions.
Method 1: Native TikTok Following (Beginner-Friendly)
TikTok's built-in search and follow features are simple for starters. Here's how:
- Open the TikTok app and tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom.
- Type your target hashtag (e.g., #BrandName) in the search bar.
- Select the Hashtags tab from the results.
- Tap the hashtag page, then hit Follow in the top right.
- You'll now see related content on your FYP and in a dedicated feed.
This method is free and quick but limited-no analytics or historical data. It's great for casual monitoring but falls short for brands needing depth.
Method 2: Advanced Monitoring with SocialSonar
For professional brand monitoring, use SocialSonar, a powerful social listening platform. It tracks hashtags across TikTok and beyond, offering sentiment analysis, competitor benchmarks, and alerts. Steps:
- Sign up at SocialSonar and create a workspace.
- Go to Queries > New Query and select TikTok as the source.
- Enter hashtags (e.g., #YourBrand, #CompetitorX) or branded terms.
- Set filters for location, language, or date range.
- Activate real-time dashboards for volume spikes, top videos, and influencer detection.
SocialSonar excels where native tools don't: unlimited historical data, AI-driven sentiment, and exportable reports. Unlike Brandwatch or Sprout Social, which can be pricey and complex, SocialSonar is intuitive and cost-effective for TikTok-focused monitoring.
Benefits of Using Hashtags in Your TikTok Strategy
Leveraging hashtags in your TikTok strategy offers several benefits that can elevate your brand's visibility and engagement. Here’s how, with real-world examples:
1. Increase Visibility and Discovery
Using relevant hashtags makes your content more discoverable. When users search for a specific hashtag, your video can appear in search results, increasing reach. Example: Chipotle's #GuacDance gained millions of views by tapping into food trends.
2. Boost Engagement
Hashtags significantly enhance engagement rates. Videos with popular hashtags receive more views, likes, and shares, creating viral ripples. A fitness brand using #WorkoutMotivation saw 5x likes compared to untagged posts.
3. Build Community
Branded hashtags foster community. Encourage users to use #YourBrandStory for discussions and UGC, strengthening loyalty. Nike's #JustDoIt builds a global fanbase through shared challenges.
4. Identify Competitors
Monitor industry hashtags to spy on rivals. Analyze #B2BMarketing to see competitors' tactics. SocialSonar visualizes share of voice, highlighting gaps.
5. Get TikTok Content Ideas
Tracking trends inspires creation. #FitnessJourney videos reveal popular formats-adapt for your niche.
6. Find Relevant Influencers
Scan frequent hashtag users for partnerships. A beauty brand found micro-influencers via #BeautyHacks, yielding high ROI.
7. Surfacing Trending Topics
Stay ahead by monitoring surges. Jump on #Terrifier3 early for timely content.
8. TikTok Monitoring
Effective monitoring tracks perception. SocialSonar provides real-time mentions, sentiment gauging, and issue response-essential for 2026 crises.
Top TikTok Hashtags in 2025 (and Beyond to 2026)
As TikTok evolves, monitor these for 2026 strategies. We've categorized them in a handy table for quick reference:
| Category | Top Hashtags | Why Monitor? |
|---|---|---|
| General Popular (50 Most Used) | #fyp, #foryou, #viral, #foryoupage, #tiktok, #fy, #trending, #funny, #duet, #comedy, #love, #meme, #tiktokindia, #funnyvideos, #learnontiktok, #music, #video, #like, #memes, #cute, #prank, #fun, #follow, #aesthetic, #tik_tok, #tiktokuni, #tiktokviral, #tiktok_india, #happy, #new, #tiktoker, #foodtiktok, #viralvideos, #followme, #live, #dancer, #repost, #tiktoklover, #funk, #tiktokphilippines, #tiktoktravel, #tiktokchallenge, #funfacts, #likeforlike, #dancetutorial, #levelup, #like4like, #viralpost, #followforfollowback, #follow4follow | High volume; broad reach for baseline monitoring. Track for algorithm insights. |
| Trending (Top 10) | #dodgers, #terrifier3, #terrifier, #mizukiakiyama, #projectsekai, #glorilla, #fornitemares, #robot, #rafecameron, #moonmusic | Cultural spikes; engage early for virality. |
| B2B (Top 10) | #B2BMarketing, #BusinessGrowth, #EntrepreneurLife, #CorporateCulture, #BusinessTips, #B2BSales, #Networking, #BusinessInnovation, #Leadership, #B2BContent | Niche professional talks; competitor intel. |
| Fashion & Beauty (Top 10) | #FashionInspo, #BeautyTips, #OOTD, #MakeupTutorial, #FashionBlogger, #BeautyHacks, #StyleGuide, #FashionTrends, #BeautyGram, #Fashionista | Trend forecasting; influencer discovery. |
| Fitness (Top 10) | #FitnessJourney, #WorkoutMotivation, #HomeWorkout, #Fitspo, #GymLife, #FitnessTips, #HealthyLifestyle, #Workout, #FitnessGoals, #FitFam | Lifestyle engagement; UGC potential. |
Use SocialSonar to track performance metrics for these, predicting 2026 shifts.
Best Practices for Selecting Effective Hashtags
Choosing the right hashtags maximizes impact:
- Mix Popularity Levels: Pair broad (#fyp) with niche (#YourBrandEco) for balanced reach.
- Relevance First: Align with content-irrelevant ones confuse algorithms.
- Research Trends: Use TikTok Creative Center or SocialSonar for rising hashtags.
- Branded Hashtags: Create unique ones like #BrandChallenge for ownership.
- Limit to 3-5 per Post: Overloading dilutes focus.
- Localize: Add geo-tags like #TikTokIndia for targeted monitoring.
Example: A coffee brand used #CoffeeLovers + #MorningRoutine, boosting engagement 300%.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Steer clear of these mistakes:
- Overusing Irrelevant Hashtags: Attracts wrong audience, harming relevance scores.
- Ignoring Negative Trends: Monitor sentiment to avoid toxic hashtags.
- Neglecting Analytics: Native views lack depth-use SocialSonar for ROI.
- Static Strategies: Trends change; refresh weekly.
- Forgetting Competitors: Track theirs to benchmark.
Pro Tip: Always validate with tools before committing.
Conclusion
In summary, mastering TikTok hashtags is crucial for effective brand monitoring in 2026. By utilizing them wisely, brands can increase visibility, boost engagement, build communities, and gain valuable insights into audience sentiments. Tools like SocialSonar not only help track these hashtags but provide in-depth analytics, sentiment analysis, competitive intelligence, and customizable alerts.
Compared to limited native options or clunky competitors, SocialSonar delivers TikTok-specific power affordably. Start monitoring today: sign up for a free trial at SocialSonar, set up your hashtag queries, and watch insights flow. Embrace hashtags, leverage smart tools, and position your brand for TikTok dominance in 2026. Your audience awaits-don't miss out!
