Why Hashtags Still Matter on TikTok

So yeah… hashtags might not be the star of the show anymore, but they still do a ton of heavy lifting behind the scenes. When you use the right ones, they give TikTok extra clues about who should see your video — and that can mean the difference between 200 views and 200k.

Here’s why hashtags still hit in 2025:

They Help the Algorithm Get You

TikTok uses hashtags to categorize your content. If you’re posting GRWM beauty looks or recipe POVs, the hashtags you drop tell the algorithm, “Yo, show this to people into skincare” or “Send this to foodies.”

They Show Up in Search

More users are treating TikTok like Google. Think: “best curly hair routine” or “how to meal prep” — and they’re tapping hashtags like #hairtok or #mealprepideas to get there.

They Let You Ride What’s Poppin’

Tagging on to a viral trend like #delulu or #softdump? That’s your fast-pass to the FYP — if you can match it with the right content.

They Help Niche Creators Grow

Hashtags like #skintok, #gymtok, or #petsoftiktok help creators connect with their exact audience. You don’t need a million views — you need the right people to see it.

TL;DR: You don’t need 20 hashtags — just a few smart ones that match your content and your vibe.

Up next: let’s break down the top trending TikTok niche hashtags in September 2025, grouped by viral tags and niches.

Most Viral TikTok Hashtags – October 2025

We did the digging so you don’t have to. These are the hashtags that creators across TikTok are actually using in October — not just for clout, but because they’re driving views, saves, and comments.

They’re grouped into three categories: overall viral hashtags, niche-specific tags, and content-format hashtags.

Don’t Miss Out: Monthly Trending TikTok Hashtags in October 2025.

Overall Viral Hashtags –October 2025

These hashtags are blowing up across nearly every type of video, from fashion to fitness to POVs.

• #HocoDress — Outfit inspo specifically for homecoming events.
• #Homecoming — Expanding into fashion-driven edits, tutorials, and transformations.
• #Halloween2025 — The single most powerful October hashtag, peaking in the final week with costumes, makeup, and party edits.
• #ScreamMovie — Horror-themed edits and memes tied to Halloween viewing spikes.
• #Oktoberfest — Seasonal festival content from beer fests and German-inspired celebrations.
• #AutumnVibes / #OctoberVibes — Fall aesthetic edits, cozy lifestyle clips, and seasonal photography.

Niche Hashtags – By Category

• Beauty & Skincare: #niche #fallnails #nails #drmelaxin #fallhair
• Sports: #football #nfl #volleyball #skate #collegefootball
• Food: #pumpkin #groceryshopping #milkshake #pumpkinspice #cutwater
• Travel: #vacations #hhn #halloweenhorrornights #fallcolors #disneyhalloween
• Pets:#golden #pug #dogpack #mansbestfriend #orangecatsoftiktok
• Entertainment: #breakingnews #katseye #dexter #chrisbrown #tsitp

Find Out More TikTok Niche Hashtags in October 2025

Format-Based Hashtags

These hashtags are tied to how people are presenting content — useful for pushing trends that match the platform’s favorite formats right now.

#grwm #pov #dayinthelife #storytime #beforeandafter #tiktokmadebuyit #getreadywithme #tutorial

These are the tags you’ll want to experiment with this month.

Top TikTok Hashtags by Region and Culture – 2025

Hashtag trends aren’t one-size-fits-all. What’s popular in New York might not hit the same in Paris, and what’s trending in Manila or São Paulo could be totally different from the U.K. This section breaks down the most popular TikTok hashtags by cultural region so you can stay relevant wherever your audience lives.

North America (U.S. & Canada)

Creators in the U.S. and Canada are keeping things ironic, aesthetic, and lifestyle-focused.

• #loveisland  The season may be wrapping up, but conversations, memes, and edits around Love Island are still trending strong.
• #traviskelce  NFL season hype plus pop culture crossover keeps this name trending well beyond sports fans.
• #loveislandusa  U.S. viewers are flooding TikTok with recaps, reactions, and couple updates.
• #pumpkinseason From lattes to home décor, fall aesthetics are officially in. This seasonal hashtag spikes every September.

United Kingdom

TikTok creators in the UK are mixing humor, dry sarcasm, and relatable fashion/lifestyle themes.

• #pov – Still used heavily, but often layered with British humor or meme-driven edits.
• #ukfashion – Trending with OOTDs, layering tips, and Spring 2025 streetwear edits.
• #softgirl – Used with subtle makeup routines and cozy lifestyle content.
• #smallbusinessuk – Strong among creators promoting handmade goods and niche products.

Latin (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina)

Spanish and Portuguese-speaking creators are combining emotional expression with music and food culture.

• #comidafacil – Used in quick recipe reels, street food POVs, and traditional home cooking.
• #reggaetontok – Linked to viral dance clips, dating POVs, and couple content.
• #brasilfashion – Popular with Gen Z creators in São Paulo and Rio showing off casual fits.
• #fotodump – The Latin version of #softdump, but with high-energy photos.

German-Speaking Creators

Aesthetic edits and techno-influenced content dominate.

• #berlinvibes – Paired with moody music and architectural B-roll.
• #minimalstyle – Trending in interior design, fashion, and workspace setups.
• #morningslow – Soft, slow productivity reels are rising among German creators.

French-Speaking Regions

There’s a strong focus on fashion, artsy edits, and poetic captions.

• #frenchtok – Cultural commentary, quotes, and minimal fashion aesthetics.
• #mode2025 – Used in fashion challenges and capsule wardrobe reels.
• #journalingfrance – Aesthetic journaling combined with café visuals or studying.

Italian Creators

TikTok Italy leans into lifestyle, fashion, food, and aesthetic chaos.

• #vitaitaliana – Daily life in Italy vlogs and food POVs.
• #colazionetime – Trending with creators filming their morning espresso and bakery runs.
• #milanfashion – Heavily used in Spring 2025 capsule wardrobe edits.

Arabic Cultural Regions

Creators across Arabic-speaking communities are blending tradition, luxury, and modern storytelling.

• #eidtok – Strong post-Ramadan content, from outfit transitions to cultural storytelling.
• #arabictiktok – Used in humorous skits, traditions, and lifestyle montages.
• #goldenjewelry – Paired with shopping hauls and styling tutorials.

Chinese Diaspora

Content centers on identity, storytelling, and subtle humor.

• #chinesegirltok – Often used in fashion and food POVs.
• #southeastasiantok – Gaining visibility across mixed identity creators.
• #mandopop – Associated with edits, chill content, and voiceover videos.

Indian Creators

Indian TikTokers (and Reels cross-posters) are trend-savvy, musical, and community-focused.

• #desitiktok – Showcasing fashion, family moments, and food.
• #indianbeauty – Used with GRWM, skincare, and bold lip color routines.
• #bollywooddance – Continues to trend across both individual and couple creator accounts.

Philippines & Indonesia

Southeast Asian creators are dominating with relatable skits and heartfelt storytelling.

• #pinoytiktok – Covers skits, memes, and soft emotional storytelling.
• #aestheticvlog – Popular among students, artists, and creatives.
• #moodboard – Rising in use with mixed video/photo edits.

How to Use Trending Hashtags Correctly

Dropping hashtags on your TikTok post isn’t about spamming a random list. The real move? Use them to signal your content’s vibe and audience — so TikTok’s algorithm knows who to push it to. Here’s how to do it without looking like you copied your tags from a comments section in 2025.

Learn More: Six real-world viral TikTok hashtags case studies

Mix Viral and Niche Tags

Don’t just go with big, oversaturated tags like #fyp or #trending. Pair them with specific niche hashtags like #glowup (beauty), #gymtok (fitness), or #foodtok (recipes) to hit your exact audience.

Example:
A GRWM makeup video might use: #grwm #cleangirlaesthetic #delulu #foryou

3–7 Tags Is the Sweet Spot

You don’t need 15 hashtags. Actually, that can hurt your reach. The best-performing posts usually use 3 to 7 well-targeted tags that describe the content, emotion, and trend.

Put Hashtags at the End of Your Caption

Keep your main caption short and punchy. Add hashtags underneath — so it’s clean, scrollable, and not distracting from your actual message.

Avoid Banned or Shadowbanned Hashtags

Some tags might look trendy but could be suppressed by TikTok (example: overly broad or reused viral tags from months ago). If your post gets no views after an hour, it might be flagged.

Read the Tips on Viral Hashtags & Shadowban Risks to Avoid tags that are vague, outdated, or recycled from content you posted months ago.

Match the Mood and Format

Hashtags are part of your video’s vibe. If it’s aesthetic, use visual mood tags like #softdump or #corecore. If it’s a challenge or trend, tag the format — like #storytime or #getreadywithme.

In short: treat hashtags like the finishing touch. They’re not magic on their own, but when they match your content and energy, they’ll help push your post to the right people.

Where to Find Trending TikTok Hashtags

If you’re tired of guessing what’s trending or recycling the same 3 hashtags every post, here’s how to actually find the ones creators are using right now. These sources give you real-time insight into what’s getting reach — no guesswork needed.

TikTok Search Bar (Yes, It Works)

Type a keyword related to your niche (like “skincare” or “recipe”) and TikTok will show you:

• Related trending hashtags
• How many views each one has
• Suggested formats tied to that tag

Tip: If you see “millions of uses” and new posts under that tag, it’s hot.

TikTok Creative Center – Hashtag Trends Tool

Go to TikTok’s official Creative Center, then head to the “Hashtag” section. You can filter by:

• Country
• Industry (beauty, food, education, etc.)
• Growth rate and engagement

It shows what’s actually spiking this week.

Watch Your Own FYP(For Your Page)

If you’re seeing the same hashtag pop up on multiple videos across niches, that tag is moving. Tap the tag → look at the number of videos using it → scroll through the top and recent uploads.

Check CapCut Templates

Templates usually show up before the hashtag gets hot. When a template title includes something like “#softdump” or “#romanticizeyourlife,” you know a trend is forming.

Look at Popular Creator Captions

Top creators in your niche know the game. Scroll their captions and you’ll see them mixing trending tags with smart niche ones.

Look for captions with:

• 3–5 tags
• A mix of emotional/meme-style tags and format-based tags
• Clean layout

Use a Hashtag Tracking Tool (Optional)

If you want deeper data, try tools like:

• Trendpop – tracks hashtags, growth speed, and who’s using them
• Tokboard – similar to Trendpop, but simplified for creators
• Exolyt – includes hashtag discovery + performance analytics

Finding the right hashtag doesn’t mean scrolling endlessly. Use these tools, mix what’s trending with what’s real for your niche, and your tags will actually work.

Hashtags Still Pull Weight in 2025

If you’ve been sleeping on hashtags, this is your sign to get back in the game. The most viral creators on TikTok right now are still using tags to boost reach, target their niche, and ride what’s trending — and now you’ve got the exact same list they’re pulling from.

From meme-heavy tags like #delulu and #corecore to niche-specific tags like #grwm or #gymtok, what you use still shapes who sees your content. Pair the right tags with the right video style, and you give the algorithm everything it needs to push you forward.

This isn’t about spam — it’s about strategy.

Want to double up? Match your hashtag stack with a trending audio. Our full TikTok Trends 2025 Hub has sound, slang, format, and strategy updates every month to help you stay relevant.

Now go get your tiktok seen.