How Many Hashtags Should You Use on TikTok?

Some users, myself included, have received a notification on TikTok when adding hashtags to a post. The quick pop-up says you can’t add more than five hashtags to your content.

Before, TikTok didn’t limit the number of hashtags you could use, but you’d have to factor in the number of characters allowed in the caption. Generally, three to five hashtags were advised, so TikTok’s new limit is in line with existing best practices.

TikTok hasn’t made an official statement on the change, but the update seems to have rolled out to most accounts.

Hashtags have steadily declined in importance over the years – algorithms focus more on user engagement to present relevant posts to viewers, meaning people shouldn’t need to manually search hashtags to see your content.

Typically, your business will be targeting the right keywords in the content you post already.

Of course, if your business is using TikTok, you might worry that a limit on hashtags could result in a drop in engagement or lessen reach. However, the change by TikTok aims to reduce the number of creators cluttering and spamming feeds with irrelevant content through the overuse of tags.

The in-app notification from TikTok, which states the new hashtag limit, also encourages users to “use accurate hashtags to get more views.” Given the new cap of five hashtags, businesses should make their hashtag usage more intentional and focused.

For example, you could tag a post with a trending hashtag to boost reach, but the content could be completely irrelevant to that topic. This could mislead your customers and potentially damage your brand’s reputation. And, if you’re selling on TikTok, you could lose out on sales.

So, how can your business stay relevant on TikTok?

Despite the reduction, you can still target relevant or trending hashtags to boost reach and engagement. Like finding trending TikTok sounds, you can use the TikTok Creative Center to search for popular hashtags to include in your posts. Simply click on “Trends” in the top navigation bar and then select “Hashtags.” You can filter these by industry and time.

But remember to strategically select which hashtags to use. Take the time to research the best quality tags for your content, see what your competitors are using, and figure out what gets the best engagement from your target audience.