In 2023, you don't want to miss out on the incredible potential of TikTok! With its captivating visuals and massive following among Gen Z (40%!), this dynamic social media platform has become more than just a place for entertainment – it's turning into an influential search engine.
TikTok has revolutionized how creators and brands can reach their audience. To ensure your content is seen, crafting a successful TikTok SEO strategy should be at the top of any brand or creator's to-do list in 2023.
What does TikTok SEO mean and why is it important?
TikTok SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is an important component of TikTok success and involves optimizing your content for the TikTok algorithm to reach more TikTok users. It's about making sure your content can be easily discovered and seen by the right audience through search results on the platform. To achieve this, you must develop an optimization strategy to tailor your content to TikTok’s algorithm.
The TikTok algorithm provides each user with a customized feed through multiple factors: the posts that users interact with most, the creators and brands that they follow, and much, much more.
This is why having a well-planned strategy for TikTok success is important. Here are some key things that you'll want to focus on:
- TikTok's Trends
- Users’ Habits
- Keyword Research
- Relevant Hashtags
Optimizing content to appeal to TikTok's algorithm means understanding the platform's culture — such as language, video styles, memes, etc. — and how it resonates with your target audience. Only then can you create TikTok videos that will be discovered and shared on the platform.
How to Optimize your TikTok Content for SEO: Tactics & Tips
Content optimization is the key to grabbing attention and increasing visibility. Understanding how best to use this tool will open up a world of exciting possibilities for your business. Increase your business or brands discoverability by using these tactics:
- Include Keywords and Phrases
- Use Effective Hashtags
- Take part in trends and use trending audio
- Organize your content into categories
- Focus on your niche
Include Keywords and Phrases
Unlocking the secrets of TikTok SEO requires utilizing meaningful words that your followers are looking for. Once you have them, there's a trifecta of places to add these keywords: captions (up to 2,200 characters), automated closed caption options, and on-screen text. Incorporating those relevant terms in and below your TikTok videos will make sure your content is seen by more eyes!
To ensure that you're using relevant keywords or phrases, first, go on TikTok and search for keywords or topics that you are discussing in the video or would be used to describe your content. From there, simply note down other keywords or phrases that appeared in the TikTok search bar.
Use Effective Hashtags
When it comes to maximizing your reach on TikTok, hashtags are key. To make sure you're using the most effective tags for your posts and brand identity, be sure to craft a carefully curated list of 3-5 relevant and/or trending hashtags per post. If you're a small local business, consider using location-specific terms like city or state name to show up more prominently on feeds in your local area!
Take Part in Trends and Use Trending Audio
Stay ahead of the crowd with TikTok's Creative Center! It offers key insights into trending topics, audio, videos, and creators so you can stay informed and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Organize Content into Categories
TikTok has revolutionized content organization, making the process more effective for brands. With 'Playlists', users can now categorize their videos to assist with keyword recognition and filtering – a powerful tool that proved particularly successful over the 2022 holiday season!
This TikTok feature is available for creators that have a following of 10,000 or more, offering a great advantage to keep viewers on their page for longer. So if you're not there yet, make it a goal for your 2023 TikTok marketing strategy!
Focus on Your Niche
Sticking to your TikTok SEO game plan is essential for success. Continuously utilizing these best practices will make it easier for the algorithm to learn more about who you are and what type of content you provide, therefore increasing visibility among relevant users.
When you're crafting your content, always keep the focus on what sets you apart - think: What special elements do I bring to my brand or business? How will this product/service be of benefit to those who follow me? And how can I build a strong connection with the people in my target market?
Ready to up your TikTok game?
Creating a strong TikTok SEO strategy is the key to success and by following the tips in this post, you should be well on your way to increasing your views and engagement. If you have any questions or need help getting started, contact us today. We can't wait to see your videos blowing up on TikTok!