Contrary to its name, SEO is not limited to search engines anymore. Google itself found that around 40% of young people use TikTok or Instagram instead of Google Search! Google recognises this threat and has adapted accordingly, now allowing TikTok videos to emerge in SERPs.
Without a TikTok SEO strategy, your content is missing out on vital opportunities to be found. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of SEO on TikTok and the basics of how to achieve it.
What is TikTok SEO?
Just like ordinary SEO, TikTok SEO refers to the practice of optimising your videos, profile and hashtags to improve visibility in search results. The use of keywords in the video, caption and hashtags is crucial in optimising your TikTok content.
Whilst the TikTok algorithm is great for allowing anybody to ‘go viral’, regardless of follower count, the more effort you put into optimising your content, the better the outcome will be.
How do keywords work on TikTok?
When it comes to using keywords on TikTok, the same rules of traditional keyword research apply. You should always inform your keyword choices with research, looking at what content is trending on TikTok and matching this up with relevant content of your own.
The TikTok Creative Centre allows you to identify trending hashtags that you can incorporate into your TikTok SEO strategy. Using high-volume keywords and hashtags will put your content in front of more eyes that are potentially looking for your product or service.
You should aim to use 3-4 keywords as hashtags in your video’s caption, but make sure to use words that are relevant to your content to maintain trust and credibility.
As well as including keywords in your caption, you should also include them within your videos. Say the keywords and enable subtitles to really optimise your video for SEO on TikTok!
What else can you do?
Because TikTok SEO is still so new, more tips and tricks are coming out all the time. The best way to boost your video’s chances of success is to follow the platform’s best practices.
As a video platform, sounds on TikTok are going to be crucial to your success. Explore the app’s trending sounds in the Creative Centre and create content with these sounds to improve your visibility. Alongside this, there are sometimes challenges or dance routines that go hand in hand with these trending sounds, so don’t be afraid to take part in these if they are relevant to your brand!
Moreover, TikTok is an app that is all about community, engagement and interaction. Make sure to follow relevant profiles and engage with their content by liking, sharing and commenting. You will likely receive engagement back, helping you to build your community and audience.
In conclusion, SEO on TikTok is still a relatively new topic, with new information coming out all the time. However, we do know that following the platform’s best practices, such as using their trending sounds, will only help your success. Moreover, the use of keywords, like in traditional SEO, is vital. Now you know what you need to do, it’s time to get TikTokking!
Looking for help with your social media game? Get in touch with TFA’s experts, who will be happy to help.