Did you know that TikTok is now competing with Google as an alternative search engine? According to Google’s Senior Vice President, more than 40% of Gen Z prefers TikTok for online searches over Google. This significant shift highlights the importance of a comprehensive TikTok SEO strategy, which many brands overlook. You can significantly increase the visibility and viewership of your TikTok videos by implementing a TikTok SEO strategy.

In this article, we will walk you through a tried-and-tested strategy for optimizing your videos for TikTok, which has helped our videos go viral. But before we get into that, let us get a basic understanding of what TikTok SEO is. It is the process of optimizing your videos so that they rank higher and reach a wider audience. This process involves keyword research, using those keywords to create engaging content, and using popular trends and relevant hashtags.

You can quickly see how well your strategy is working by checking the SEO of your TikTok account. Watch one of your brand’s videos and observe the top search bar. Does it display “Find related content” or a specific topic? If it’s the former, TikTok has successfully categorized and understood the video’s content. If not, it is time to create a solid TikTok SEO strategy to increase the visibility and reach of your video.

Here is our six-step TikTok SEO strategy for increasing your video rankings and views.

Step 1: Determine your main keywords

The first step in TikTok SEO is to identify your primary keywords. Start by researching popular keywords related to your content that match TikTok users’ searches. Consider the main point of your video and answer, “What is my video about?”, in one to three words. 

For example, if you are promoting a cafe that serves healthy food, your video could include a list of recommended healthy dishes served at the cafe. Your main keyword in this case would be “healthy food.”

Suppose your cafe also offers vegan food. Your video could highlight delicious vegan dishes available at your cafe, emphasizing keywords such as “vegan food options” or “plant-based foods.” 

If you are having trouble finding the right keywords, you can use tools like the TikTok Creative Center or free resources like ToolXOX.

You can optimize your TikTok content to align with user searches and increase its visibility in search results by focusing on your primary keywords.

Step 2: Compile your list of keywords

The second step of TikTok keyword research is to create a list of all the related keywords. These are the keywords that you will use in the title, description, and throughout your video. 

Returning to our healthy food example, use the TikTok search function by tapping on the magnifying glass. From here, you can see TikTok’s most searched terms related to your topic. Compile all relevant keywords for your video to use in the speech, title, and description. If you tap on one of the suggested search terms, you can also find related keywords that others have searched for.

For example, you can see these suggested terms when you search for healthy food:

  • healthy and easy food ideas
  • healthy food tips
  • healthy food combinations
  • healthy fast food recommendations

You can also sort and filter these keywords according to your preferences.

Step 3: Use keywords in your speech

The third step of TikTok SEO is to use keywords in speech. If you have not recorded your video yet, start shooting and use these keywords throughout your video.

Some TikTokers make text-only videos, while others make speech videos. Our experience is that speech helps get the initial momentum for getting views on TikTok. However, there is no clear proof that using these keywords in speech helps get more views. Since we are recommending healthy foods and have our research keywords, let us start the video by saying:

“If you have been on the hunt for some fresh, healthy food recommendations, you have come to the right place! Today we are taking you on a culinary journey at our cafe, kicking off with some healthy and easy food ideas. As we explore our menu, we will be sharing our top healthy food tips, guiding you toward the best meal choices. But it doesn’t stop there; we will also reveal some clever, nutritious combinations that will tantalize your taste buds. And if you are always on the go, worry not! Our cafe prides itself on healthy fast food recommendations, ensuring you can stay on track with your diet even in a rush.”

As you can see in the above example, our main keyword is in the first sentence, and our related keywords are used in all subsequent sentences.

Step 4: Use keywords in the video title

The fourth step in TikTok SEO is to include your main keyword in the video title. This prominently displays your keyword, increasing the likelihood of your video appearing in relevant search results.

Using TikTok’s native features can greatly increase the impact of your videos. Brands frequently overlook the importance of video titles, which TikTok values in its algorithm. Create a compelling title that includes your chosen keywords, such as “5 Healthy Food Recommendations For…”

This grabs viewers’ attention and makes your video more discoverable.

Maintaining brand consistency is essential for developing a strong presence on TikTok. Fortunately, TikTok offers customization options for text color, background color, and font selection, allowing you to match these visual elements to your branding. This gives your videos a consistent and professional appearance, strengthening brand recognition and increasing viewer engagement.

Secret tip: This trick adds keywords to your video. Write a brief one-liner (up to ten words) highlighting your additional keywords. This text should be small and placed at the video’s bottom. This secret boosts your SEO score, making your TikTok videos stand out.

Step 5: Use keywords in the video description

The fifth step in TikTok content optimization is to strategically incorporate the identified keywords into your video description, improving search visibility and context. Make sure your video description contains relevant information about the content and its purpose. For example, you can write, “Discover ‘5 Healthy Food Recommendations’ from our cafe! Easy ideas, clever combinations, and fast food tips for your health.”

Moreover, it is essential to include 3-5 relevant hashtags in your video description. We found that a mix of popular and niche hashtags gets the most TikTok engagement.

Also, do not overlook the significance of engaging cover photos. Design and upload an eye-catching cover photo that makes people want to click and watch your video, which will increase its overall appeal.

Step 6: Comment using niche keywords

Our secret tip for going viral on TikTok is to comment on your own video using your niche keywords. Use those niche keywords, like ‘healthy food combinations,’ and transform them into a thought-provoking question. For example: ‘Which of these healthy food combinations is your favorite?’ This not only adds depth to your video but also encourages viewers to interact.

This little trick does more than one thing. First, it provides TikTok’s algorithm with useful context about your video content, increasing its visibility in relevant searches. Second, it encourages viewer participation and engagement, which leads to more interactions, views, and overall growth.

Conclusion

TikTok SEO is crucial for video visibility and reach. Find the main keywords, then make a list of related keywords and use them in your speech, video title, description, and comments. Engaging cover photos and strategic hashtags also boost your reach on TikTok.  These strategies can help your videos go viral and build your brand on this favorite platform of Gen Z.

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