If you’ve never wondered how to search on TikTok, that’s fair: Depending on what the algorithm is arranging, you can be distracted by hilarious failures, dance routines, cute dog videos, and weird mirror effects on your For You page.

But while it’s fun to wander around for a while, it’s pretty easy to get lost or overwhelmed. But what if you want to find that hysterical cat video you saw last week or broaden your horizons beyond the algorithm’s choice?

Whether you’re on the platform to market your brand, watch the latest videos from your favorite creator, or just impress your niece, you need to know how to search on TikTok.

How to search for videos on TikTok?

We got it. Falling down a TikTok rabbit hole is very tempting sometimes.

But instead of mindlessly scrolling through the platform’s recommendations, you might want to watch something specific like a cooking demo or the latest flare.

Here’s how to search the platform for videos:

  1. Tap . search icon In the upper right corner of your screen.
  2. Name or type of video you’re looking for search bar. This could be something like “TikTok dogs”.
    Dogs of TikTok search results
  3. swipe for Videos Click the tab to see the best performing content for your search.
    Dogs of TikTok Videos tab search results
  4. Swipe and tap any of the TikTok you want to watch all of.

How to search for filters on TikTok?

People often (including me) think that TikTok filters and effects are the same. But there is actually a big difference between filters and effects.

TikTok filters change color balance what are you shooting? Effects add graphics, sounds, stickers and games to your content.

Here’s how you can search for filters on TikTok:

  1. tap on create icon in the middle of the submenu.
    Create icon for filters TikTok search
  2. Upload your image or video and Filters icon on the right side.
    how to add filter to tik tok post
  3. Scroll through the filters on the bottom screen until you find something you like.
    choose filter for tiktok post

How to search for effects on TikTok?

If you see a TikTok using an effect you like, you can always save the video or heart it. But if you forget about it, it can be difficult to go back and find the effect.

The good news is that if you remember anything about a TikTok effect, even a vulgar term like “bling” or “mirror reflection”, you’ll likely be able to find it using TikTok’s search tool.

You can also use the Search tool to find effects you haven’t seen before or play around with them in preview mode. This is how you’ll usually find the best TikTok effects for the type of content you love to post.

Here’s how to search for effects on TikTok:

  1. Tap . search icon and type a keyword in the search bar. It helps a lot if you remember the name of the effect that appears on the bottom left of TikTok using the effect.
  2. Don’t you remember your name? Write down features you can remember, such as “clown” or “disco”.
    disco effect search results
  3. If there is an effect with this particular name, it will pop up first. It will then be followed by top-performing TikToks that tag those terms so you can find what you’re looking for.
  4. Tap on the effect to see all the top-performing TikTok using this effect.
    disco effect results page best content
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Pro tip: If you see a video with a cool effect, tap the name of the effect to go to its home page and see other videos that use the effect.


how to find tik tok video effect

If you like it, you can save it for later use by tapping the icon. add to favorites.
how to add effects to favorites on tiktok

Marking the effects you like when you see them will save you a ton of time.

How to search for sounds on TikTok?

88% of TikTokers say sound is “essential” for their experience in the app. Therefore, knowing how to find and use trending sounds on TikTok can help elevate your videos and make them more engaging to your audience.

You can find the name of any sound in TikTok videos by looking at: lower left corner. You can then favorite the top-performing content using that audio to see and use it later.


sound search on tiktok

To find a specific sound, you can search for it.

  1. Tap . search icon and enter a keyword.
  2. Tap . Sounds To see all the audio results that match your keyword, go to the tab.
    tik tok results for my money are not swinging
  3. You can play a preview of each of the sounds to help you find the one that matches what you’re looking for.

How to search for people on TikTok?

Whether you’re looking for a TikTok creator everyone’s talking about or just want to find your friend’s profile, at some point you’ll have to search for people.

Here’s how you can search for users on TikTok:

  1. tap on search icon In the upper right corner of the home screen.
  2. Enter a person’s name in the top search bar. Suggestions will appear just below the search bar.
    search people on tik tok khaby lame
  3. If none of the suggestions match the person you’re looking for, you can type the person’s name and tap . call option to the right of the search box.
    Search results for khaby lame person
  4. All profiles with the same name are opened. You can tap the profile you are looking for or Follow button to the right of the profile name.

If you want to connect with people you already know, there is an even easier way to find them. Here’s how you can search for people on TikTok:

  1. Go to your TikTok profile and User icon in the upper left corner of the screen.
  2. On find friends page, the suggested accounts have the three options listed above: Invite friends, Contacts, and Facebook friends.
    find people on tiktok
  3. Faucet Persons and allow access to your phone’s contacts.
  4. If any of your contacts have TikTok accounts, they will now be opened. You can tap . Follow Click the button next to their name to start following their content.

How to search hashtags on TikTok?

As with other social media platforms, hashtags make content more discoverable. Searching for popular hashtags on TikTok can help you find the latest challenge, dance routine or viral trend.

Here’s how you can search for hashtags on TikTok:

  1. Tap . search icon In the upper right corner of your screen.
  2. Type what you are looking for in the search bar and Call.
    Fly: Be as specific as possible. For example, you could copy a creator’s, trending challenge, or other trending content like “free rental.”
    search for free trending videos for rent
  3. The most relevant results will appear in: Top tab.
  4. swipe for hashtags Tab for all trending hashtags mentioning searched keyword.
    Search for trending rental free hashtags
  5. Tap the hashtag you’re looking for to see all TikTok’s that contain the hashtag you’re looking for. You can also add the hashtag to your favorites to remember later.
    best tiktok content free hashtag for rent
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How to search on TikTok without an account

While you cannot interact or post content on TikTok without an account, you can search the platform.

Let’s say your Gen Z brother won’t stop talking about the trending tortilla challenge and now wants you to star in his latest video. Instead of saying yes right away, here’s how you can search TikTok without an account to see what you’ve given permission for.

  1. Search for TikTok and your keyword in your mobile browser.
  2. Then go to the result showing TikTok.
    How to search TikTok without an account Tortilla Wrap Challenge Google results
  3. On the TikTok webpage, you’ll see all the top-performing content related to your search.
    Search TikTok without an account

note: Search experience on TikTok lots Limited without an account. There is no option to search for content on the TikTok web page.

How to search for duets on TikTok?

TikTok duet lets you share your video with another creator’s content. Duets use a split-screen effect so your video plays simultaneously with the original video.

Duets are a fun way to interact and collaborate with other TikTok users. Before posting your next duet, first search for some inspo on TikTok.

  1. Tap . search icon In the upper right corner of your screen.
  2. Type a duet in the search bar and tap . Call.
    Search for a duet on TikTok
  3. Top performing content Top tab.
  4. You can also check out more duets. hashtags tab.
    TikTok search results for duets hashtags
  5. If you want to find duets with specific people, just search.duet with @[creator’s username]“.
    How To Search For Almost Anything On TikTok 2

How can you search for your followers on TikTok?

Want to take a closer look at your growing TikTok fan base? It’s easy to see exactly who is following you on TikTok.

  1. Go to your profile.
  2. Tap on followersand the full list of your TikTok followers will open.
    Search for followers on TikTok

How to search for GIFs on TikTok?

Just like with Instagram Stories, you can add GIFs to your TikTok. You search for them when you create your TikTok.

  1. Tap middle + icon on your screen to start creating your TikTok.
    Tap on TikTok middle plus icon to create TikTok
  2. Upload or take a picture or video on your TikTok as normal.
  3. Next stickers symbol.
    Tap the TikTok sticker icon
  4. Type the name of the GIFs you’re looking for in the search bar. Scroll through the collection until you find one you like.
    Search for dog GIFs on TikTok

How to search for someone on TikTok from your computer?

As a mobile-first app, TikTok on desktop has limited capabilities. But if you find yourself without your phone and you’re dying to see your favorite creator’s next TikTok, here’s how to call someone on TikTok from your computer.

  1. Type TikTok into your desktop browser. Navigate on the home screen.
  2. In the top search bar, type the name of the person you are looking for.
    Search for someone on TikTok from your computer
  3. Click search icon. A list of top content, accounts, and videos related to the person’s name will appear.
    Dua Lipa in TikTok desktop search results
  4. Click on the search result you are looking for to see the person’s profile. From your browser you can only see a summary of the user profile with their videos and link in bio. You can’t see a list of their followers or who they follow on the desktop.

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