TikTok viral hashtags can make or break your post’s reach. If you’ve ever wondered why some posts take off while others barely get noticed, the answer often comes down to the right hashtags.
Using trending hashtags helps your content get discovered by more people, but not all hashtags work the same way.
Some are overused, making it impossible for your post to stand out. Others are too specific, so only a handful of people ever see them.
Finding the right balance is key. That’s why this guide breaks down the best hashtags for 2025, how to use them, and which ones to avoid.
Table of Contents
TikTok Viral Hashtags: How to Pick the Right Ones
A lot of people throw random hashtags on their posts and hope for the best. That usually doesn’t work.
If you want hashtags to actually help, you need a mix of:
- Trending TikTok hashtags – These are the ones that are blowing up right now. If you use them at the right time, your post can take off.
- Niche hashtags – These are smaller, more specific niche hashtags that help you reach people who care about your content.
- Branded hashtags – Created by companies or influencers, this helps build a loyal following.
- Community hashtags – These connect people with shared interests, making it easier to join the conversation.
What Hashtags Actually Do
Hashtags can make a big difference, but only if they match what people are looking for.
- More people can find your posts – Adding the right tags puts your content in front of those who are interested in it.
- You reach the right crowd – Instead of just anyone, niche tags help your posts show up for those who are into what you’re sharing.
- TikTok’s system picks up on them – The app decides where to show your posts based on the hashtags you use.
Best Hashtags for TikTok in 2025
Hashtags are still one of the easiest ways to get more eyes on your posts. But not all of them work the same way.
Some are used by millions every day, while others are gaining momentum. Then, there are niche hashtags that help you connect with the right audience instead of getting lost in an endless feed of content.
Below are the top TikTok hashtags for 2025, sorted into categories to help you find the best TikTok hashtags for your TikTok posts.
1. Most Popular TikTok Hashtags
Some hashtags never go out of style. These are the ones you’ll see in almost every viral post, from selfies to landscapes to outfit shots. If you’re aiming for broad reach, these should be on your list.
- #love
- #tokgood
- #photooftheday
- #fashion
- #beautiful
- #happy
- #cute
- #tbt
- #follow
- #picoftheday
2. Trending TikTok Hashtags for 2025
Some hashtags are picking up steam and are set to dominate TikTok this year. They might not have the same history as the classic tags, but they’re the ones that can help your posts stand out right now.
- #viralcontent
- #trendingnow
- #tokviral
- #TikToktrends
- #exploremore
- #tokengagement
- #reelsviral
- #newtrend
- #socialgrowth
- #hotrightnow
3. Niche Hashtags for Targeted Reach
If you want to reach people who actually care about your content, niche tags are the way to go. They help your posts land in front of the right audience instead of getting lost among millions of other uploads.
Fitness & Health Hashtags
Fitness lovers are always looking for motivation, workout ideas, and transformation stories. These hashtags make sure your posts reach the right crowd, whether you’re sharing gym progress or healthy meals.
- #fitlife
- #healthylifestyle
- #homeworkout
- #trainhard
- #strongmind
- #fitnesscoach
- #stayactive
- #bodygoals
- #sweatlife
- #noexcuses
Fashion & Style Hashtags
Trends change fast, and fashion lovers are always searching for new inspiration. These hashtags help your outfits, accessories, and styling tips show up for people who want fresh looks.
- #fashionista
- #ootdstyle
- #streetfashion
- #trendylooks
- #stylegram
- #whatiwore
- #clothingbrand
- #runwayready
- #effortlesschic
- #dailyfashion
Food & Drink Hashtags
Food pictures thrive on TikTok, especially with the right hashtags. Mix them with our real estate hashtags to reach both food lovers and potential buyers.
- #foodiesofTikTok
- #eatgoodfeelgood
- #Tokfoodie
- #homemade
- #forkyeah
- #foodlover
- #yummyinmytummy
- #cheatmeal
- #coffeetime
- #sweettooth
Travel & Adventure Hashtags
Posting travel content? These hashtags help your photos and videos reach people looking for new destinations, travel tips, and adventure stories.
- #wanderlust
- #travelgram
- #exploretheworld
- #bucketlistadventures
- #passportready
- #roamtheplanet
- #weekendgetaway
- #naturelover
- #beachlife
- #nomadlife
Photography & Art Hashtags
Artists, photographers, and creatives need the right hashtags to make sure their work reaches the right crowd. These tags help get your content in front of people who appreciate great visuals.
- #photographylovers
- #artisticvision
- #visualstorytelling
- #capturemoments
- #photooftheday
- #digitalart
- #creativecommunity
- #fineartphotography
- #Tokart
- #aestheticshots
Motivation & Personal Growth Hashtags
Posts about mindset, success, and motivation perform well when they land in front of the right audience. These viral hashtags help spread your message.
- #mindsetmatters
- #growthmindset
- #keepgoing
- #positivethinking
- #hustlemode
- #goaldigger
- #inspiredaily
- #nevergiveup
- #selfgrowth
- #levelup
How to Use Hashtags Without Wasting Them
Hashtags can help your posts get noticed, but only if you use them the right way. It’s not just about picking random tags and hoping for the best – TikTok has its own system for sorting posts, and if you don’t play by the rules, your content might not even show up. Here’s how to make sure your hashtags actually work for you.
1. Don’t Use the Same Hashtags Every Time
Using the same hashtag every single time sounds like a good idea, but TikTok doesn’t see it that way. If you keep repeating the same set of tags on every post, the app may start ignoring them, making it harder for people to find your content.
Instead of copying and pasting the same list over and over, switch things up. Try different combinations of popular hashtags and niche hashtags based on what you’re posting.
A fashion post might need different tags than a lifestyle shot, even if both are part of your personal brand.
2. Watch Out for Banned Hashtags
Some hashtags might seem harmless, but if TikTok flags them as spammy or inappropriate, they won’t work. Posts that include banned hashtags won’t show up in searches, and in some cases, the entire account could be affected.
To avoid this, always check if a hashtag is restricted before adding hashtags to your posts. A quick way to do this is by searching for the hashtag on TikTok. If it doesn’t show recent posts or has a warning message, avoid using it.
3. Mix Popular and Niche Hashtags
The biggest hashtags get tons of searches, but they also come with a downside – there are millions of posts using them. If you rely only on top TikTok hashtags, your post can disappear in seconds.
On the other hand, niche tags might not get as many searches, but they help reach people who are actually interested in your content.
The best way to go is to mix both – use some high-traffic trending hashtags for TikTok, a few popular hashtags, and some niche hashtags to target the right audience. This gives your post a better chance of sticking around longer in search results.
4. Hashtags Work in TikTok Stories Too
Most people think of hashtags as something for regular posts, but they work in TikTok Stories too. Adding hashtags to a Story can help it show up in search results, meaning more people might see it before it disappears after 24 hours.
To keep things neat, you can shrink hashtags down or hide them behind stickers or GIFs. Just make sure to use relevant hashtags, so your Story gets in front of the right crowd.
If you’re posting about travel, for example, adding #wanderlust or #travelgram could bring in viewers who are interested in your destination.
Comparison Table: Big vs. Small Hashtags
| Type of Hashtag | Pros | Cons |
| Popular Hashtags | Big audience, more likes | Too many posts, hard to stand out |
| Niche Hashtags | Attracts people who care about your content | Fewer people searching for them |
| Branded Hashtags | Good for growing a brand | Harder to get people to use them |
| Community Hashtags | Connect with others in your space | Not as much reach outside that group |
How Many Hashtags Should You Use?
TikTok allows up to 100 characters in each caption, so you won’t have a ton of space to jam in hashtags.
In fact, using too many can make your post look cluttered, while too few might not get you enough reach. The key is to find the right balance based on the type of content you’re sharing.
The recommendation from TikTok is to use 3-5 relevant and trending hashtags.
Hashtags for Feed Posts
For regular videos, sticking to 3-5 of the best hashtags is a solid approach. That’s enough to help more people find your content without making it look spammy.
Instead of dumping random tags, focus on a mix of trending TikTok hashtags, niche hashtags, and relevant hashtags. This way, your post gets a good mix of exposure without looking like it’s trying too hard.
Video reels already get a boost from TikTok’s system, so you don’t need as many hashtags to help them spread. 3-5 trending hashtags are enough to keep your video visible.
- Stick to hashtags related to your content so the right people see it.
- Avoid using only popular TikTok hashtags – mix in niche tags to reach a specific audience.
- Hashtags like #reelsviral, #trendingnow, and #exploremore are great for boosting Reels.
- If a challenge or trend is popular, add its hashtag to join the conversation.
- Keep the tags in the caption or the first comment for a cleaner look.
Hashtags for Stories
Stories disappear after 24 hours, but the right 3–5 hashtags can help them get noticed before they’re gone. Using related hashtags for likes that match your content increases the chances of your story showing up in searches.
If you don’t want them to take up space, shrink them down or hide them under stickers. Just make sure they actually fit the topic – random tags won’t do much.
Ultimately, you should be safe for 3-5 hashtags no matter what type of TikTok content you are posting.
How TikTok Decides Which Hashtags Matter
TikTok has its own way of deciding which posts to show to people.
- It checks the hashtags on TikTok you’ve used and sees if they match your post.
- It looks at how well those hashtags have done before.
- It ranks posts based on how people react to them.
This is why adding hashtags that actually fit your post is important. If you use random ones, TikTok won’t bother showing your content to more people.
Conclusion
The key is to mix TikTok viral hashtags, niche hashtags, and relevant hashtags so you get noticed without getting lost.
Throwing random hashtags on a post won’t do much. Using banned hashtags can even hurt you. But if you take a few extra seconds to find the right ones, it can make a huge difference.
Next time you post, don’t just add whatever hashtags pop into your head – use the right ones and see how much better your posts do.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most viral hashtags on TikTok?
The most viral hashtags are the ones that get used the most on TikTok posts every day. These include #love, #tokgood, and #photooftheday. Since so many people use them, they can help get your post in front of more users.
The downside is that your content can disappear quickly under millions of other posts. A better approach is to mix viral hashtags with niche hashtags so your post reaches both a big crowd and people who are actually interested in what you’re sharing.
What hashtags make you go viral on TikTok?
There isn’t a guaranteed set of hashtags that will make a post take off, but having a smart hashtag strategy helps. The best approach is to use a mix of trending, niche, and branded hashtags that actually match your content.
Trending hashtags put your post into current conversations; niche hashtags help you connect with people who care about your topic, and branded hashtags can help build recognition if you’re growing a brand.
Timing also matters – a well-placed hashtag on a high-quality post at the right moment increases the chances of it getting shared and seen by more people.
What are the top 3 trending hashtags?
Top trending hashtags are always changing, but right now, some of the biggest ones are #viralcontent, #trendingnow, and #reelsviral.
These hashtags are popular in Lives, Stories, and regular videos because they tap into what’s hot on the platform. If you want to stay ahead, watch what influencers and brands are using since they often set the trends for a wider target audience.
How to find viral hashtags for TikTok?
Finding the right hashtags takes some trial and error. The TikTok algorithm prefers posts with hashtags that actually match the content, so just using the biggest ones won’t always work.
A good way to find viral hashtags is by checking the TikTok search bar, looking at what popular creators are using, and using hashtag tools that track what’s trending.
Another way is to keep an eye on hashtag usage over time and see which ones consistently bring in new viewers.
