When we think of search engines, Google, Bing and Edge often come to mind.
However, TikTok’s rapid rise as a search engine and popularity cannot be underestimated. This social media platform has not only become a phenomenon among Gen Z and Millennials, but it has also caught the attention of marketers and businesses around the world.
On average, businesses use 15% of their marketing budget on TikTok. Do you?
In this blog, we will delve into the fascinating concept of TikTok as a search engine, exploring its impact on SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and video marketing.
What is TikTok Search?
TikTok began as a purely entertainment-based platform, with the primary focus on creating and sharing short, humorous videos.
However, the platform has evolved into a sophisticated search engine, with millions of users using it to discover content that aligns with their interests. This shift towards a search engine model has brought about significant changes in how users’ approach TikTok and how businesses can leverage this platform to achieve their marketing goals.
TikTok’s search bar could be considered as the platform’s equivalent of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). Essentially, TikTok categorises your videos based on any relevant keywords that are included in the text of the video or caption. At CREATIVE in TiME, we can use our SEO and social media knowledge to make sure you’re hitting all the right keywords on both your website and on TikTok. Get in touch with us today.
These keywords are transformed into clickable links, allowing users to easily access content related to the specific topic of the video. For example, if your video has a search bar under it for “The Grammys 2024” you can click on this and it will send you to other videos from other users around this topic.
TikTok’s algorithm is a key factor in its evolution towards a search engine. The algorithm takes into account numerous factors such as the viewer’s interests, their watch history, and overall popularity of a video. The video content is then ranked and categorised based on these and then displays relevant content to users based on their interests.
One of the primary ways TikTok’s search engine differs from other search engines is the emphasis placed on user engagement. This creates a community-driven atmosphere, where user-generated content becomes an essential aspect of TikTok’s search engine.
The content that ranks well in TikTok searches is also unique. Unlike Google and other traditional search engines, TikTok’s algorithm favours engaging and visually appealing content, not just SEO ranking factors.
Short-form videos that are humorous, creative, and entertaining tend to perform well. TikTok’s audiences also prefer videos that are authentic, relatable, and emotionally engaging, which promotes user-generated content.
Uploading and Formatting Videos on TikTok
TikTok, the popular video-sharing platform, has taken the social media world by storm with its endless stream of creative and entertaining content. If you’re new to this platform and looking to upload your own videos, it’s essential to understand the best practices for uploading and formatting your content for maximum engagement.
Uploading Your Videos
To start, ensure you have the latest version of the TikTok app installed on your device. Once you have your video ready, follow these steps to upload it on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to the recording screen.
- By default, TikTok’s camera opens to record a new video. You can either record a video directly or upload an existing video from your gallery. To upload a video, tap on the “Upload” button at the bottom right corner.
- Select the video you want to upload from your device’s gallery. TikTok supports various video formats, including .mp4 and .mov, so ensure your video is in a compatible format.
- After selecting your video, you can preview it, trim it, and add sound effects or music using TikTok’s built-in editing tools. These tools allow you to enhance your video’s visual appeal or add your personal touch.
- Once you’re satisfied with the final edits, add a compelling caption, relevant hashtags, and tag other users (if applicable) to increase the visibility of your video.
- Finally, tap on the “Post” button to upload your video to TikTok. Depending on your internet connection and the size of the video, the upload process may take a few moments.
Formatting Tips for Engaging TikTok Videos
To stand out on TikTok and capture the attention of users, it’s crucial to consider some formatting tips that will enhance the overall viewing experience. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
Video duration: TikTok imposes a maximum video length of 60 seconds. To ensure your video fits within this time frame, consider the length of your content and trim it if necessary. Shorter videos tend to perform better, as they are more likely to hold the viewer’s attention.
Aspect ratio and orientation: TikTok’s ideal aspect ratio is 9:16, which translates to a vertical video format. Shooting videos in vertical orientation is best for TikTok, as it is optimised for mobile viewing. Avoid uploading horizontal videos, as they will be displayed with black bars on the sides.
Visual appeal: Use creative and eye-catching visuals to grab the viewer’s attention. Experiment with filters, effects, and transitions available in TikTok’s editing tools to enhance the visual appeal of your videos and make them stand out.
Captions and subtitles: Incorporate clear and concise captions or subtitles in your videos to make them more accessible to a wider audience. This is especially important if your video contains dialogue or voiceover.
By following these uploading and formatting guidelines, you can ensure your videos on TikTok are visually appealing and engaging.
How to Uplevel Your TikTok Content for SEO
Just like traditional Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), TikTok SEO requires strategic efforts to ensure that your content ranks higher and reaches a wider audience.
Utilise Hashtags, Captions, and Keywords
Similar to other social media platforms such as Instagram or LinkedIn, hashtags play a crucial role in TikTok SEO. Including relevant, trending hashtags in your video captions can significantly improve the discoverability of your content. TikTok’s search algorithm considers these hashtags when categorising and ranking videos.
When it comes to keyword research and hashtags, CREATIVE in TiME know exactly where to start. With our extensive experience in both SEO and social media, we can provide the perfect blend to make sure your TikTok’s rank for its search engine as well as ensuring engaging social content. Get in touch with us today.
Be sure to research popular hashtags within your niche and incorporate them strategically into your content.
Additionally, optimising your captions with descriptive and keyword-rich text related to your video can boost its visibility in search results.
Focus on Engaging and Compelling Content
User engagement is a significant factor in TikTok SEO. The algorithm prioritises videos that high levels of user engagement, such as likes, comments, and shares.
To improve the SEO of your TikTok content, aim to create videos that are entertaining, informative, or emotionally engaging. Hook viewers in the first few seconds, create visually appealing content, and tell a story that resonates with your target audience.
By doing so, you increase the likelihood of generating higher user engagement, ultimately boosting your content’s visibility in TikTok’s search results.
To come up with engaging and compelling content, you first need an effective marketing strategy. That’s what we are here for.
Leverage Trending Challenges and Sounds
TikTok is notorious for its viral challenges and sounds. By participating in popular challenges and using trending sounds, you can tap into the existing conversations and increase your chances of being discovered.
Align your content with ongoing trends and sounds creatively into your videos. This can help your content appear in the “For You” page, the section of TikTok that is particularly which garners a significant amount of visibility, ultimately improving your TikTok SEO.
Tips and Strategies for Effective Video Marketing
To effectively market on TikTok, it is essential to understand the platform’s culture and preferences. Here are some valuable tips and strategies to help you succeed:
- Know your audience: Research and understand your target audience on TikTok. What content do they enjoy? What trends do they engage with? Tailor your videos to resonate with your specific audience, ensuring that your content is relevant and valuable to them.
- Be authentic and relatable: Create videos that reflect your brand’s personality and values while being relatable to your audience. Inject humour, emotion, or creativity into your videos to establish a genuine connection with viewers.
- Stay on top of trends: TikTok is driven by trends, challenges, and viral content. Monitor popular trends within your niche and participate in relevant ones to increase your chances of being discovered by a wider audience.
- Use storytelling techniques: Develop a narrative within your videos that keeps viewers hooked from beginning to end. Incorporating a compelling storyline or a call-to-action can significantly impact viewer engagement and response.
- Encourage user-generated content: TikTok thrives on user-generated content. Engage your audience by encouraging them to create content related to your brand or products. User-generated content not only strengthens brand-customer relationships but also expands your reach and visibility on the platform.
We can formulate an effective video marketing strategy for your business! Not only that but we can also provide video guidance for any videos you would like to record showcasing your business. Get in touch today.
Video Marketing on TikTok
TikTok has revolutionised video marketing by providing a platform for brands to create captivating short-form videos that capture the attention of their audience.
The Power of Short-Form Videos
TikTok’s emphasis on short-form videos has proven to be incredibly effective in capturing audience attention.
The fast-paced nature of TikTok’s video format ensures that viewers stay engaged and entertained, making it an ideal platform for quick and memorable marketing campaigns.
Unique Features and Creative Tools
TikTok provides an array of unique features and creative tools that enable brands to enhance their video marketing efforts. From filters and effects to AR (Augmented Reality) features and transition effects, TikTok offers a wide range of tools to make your videos visually appealing and dynamic.
Additionally, the platform’s Duet and Stitch features allow users to collaborate and engage with content from other creators, fostering a sense of community and participation.
Leveraging these features and tools can help make your videos stand out and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Conclusion
With its rapidly growing user base and innovative features, TikTok has become a valuable marketing tool that should not be overlooked. It is vital for brands to explore and embrace the potential of TikTok as part of their comprehensive marketing strategies.
Incorporating TikTok into your SEO and video marketing efforts will allow you to tap into a vast and highly engaged audience, ultimately helping you achieve your marketing goals.
Not sure where to begin with TikTok? It can be quite daunting setting up and learning about a new platform.
At CREATIVE in TiME, we can help to formulate a winning strategy for all your social platforms that are in line with your brand’s values. We can also generate and schedule the content into the platform, giving you less to worry about. Want to elevate your business on TikTok? Get in touch today.
