TikTok Hashtags: How to Choose the Best Ones for Each Video

TikTok is one of the most dynamic and viral platforms, but many creators underestimate the power of hashtags. Choosing the right ones can be the difference between your video going unnoticed or going viral.

We've spent years working with artists on music-marketing strategies, and one of the key things we've learned is that not all hashtags help a video take off. Many think using #Viral or #FYP is the best option, but the reality is that these hashtags are so generic that the algorithm doesn't know how to classify your video.

What are hashtags and why do they matter on TikTok?

Hashtags on TikTok work as tags that help the algorithm understand your video's content. This influences:
✅ Who the video is shown to.
✅ Whether the content is relevant to certain niches.
✅ How it's positioned within TikTok.

Without a proper strategy, hashtags can be useless or — worse — confuse the algorithm and reduce your video's reach.

How to choose the best hashtags for TikTok

After working with many artists, we've found that the best strategy is to use 5 to 6 well-chosen hashtags, rather than a huge, meaningless list. Here are some key criteria:

🔹 Hashtags with the song name: if an artist releases a new song, including its name as a hashtag is essential. For example, if Shakira Martínez drops a flamenco bachata called "Imagínate", the ideal would be to use #Imaginate.

🔹 Genre or style hashtags: TikTok categorises videos by musical trends, so it's useful to add hashtags like #FlamencoBachata or #Bachata.

🔹 Theme hashtags based on the lyrics: if the lyrics are about love, relationships or heartbreak, you can include hashtags like #Love #Couple to reach audiences interested in that kind of content.

🔹 Hashtags with the artist's name: this reinforces your branding and attracts loyal followers. In this case, #ShakiraMartinez would be a must.

Practical example: hashtags for a cover on TikTok

When an artist does a cover, the strategy shifts slightly. A clear example: if Shakira Martínez covers "Algo Bonito" by Nyno Vargas, the ideal hashtags would be:

✔ #AlgoBonito (song name)

✔ #NynoVargas (original artist)

✔ #Cover (so people know it's a version)

✔ #Flamenco (genre)

✔ #Love #Couple (song theme)

✔ #ShakiraMartinez (the artist doing the cover)

This hashtag selection helps the video rank better in related searches and in the interests of users who already consume this kind of content.

Common mistakes when using hashtags on TikTok

🚫 Using only generic hashtags like #FYP or #Viral: they don't help the algorithm categorise your video.

🚫 Adding too many hashtags: a maximum of 5–6 relevant hashtags is recommended.

🚫 Not researching which hashtags work in your niche: every industry has its own trends.

Tools to find the best TikTok hashtags

If you're not sure which hashtags to use, there are tools that can help:

TikTok Creative Center

Shows real-time trends.

Metricool

Lets you analyse popular hashtags.

Hashtagify

Analyses hashtags across social media.

Conclusion: use hashtags strategically to grow on TikTok

It's not about slapping on any hashtag and hoping a video goes viral. The key is to use hashtags that are relevant to your content, your niche and your audience.

If you're an artist or content creator on TikTok, follow these tips and you'll see your videos' reach grow. Well-used hashtags are a powerful tool for positioning yourself on the platform and connecting with your ideal audience.