2 Simple Ways to Search for and Find Videos on TikTok

Download Article

Use the search bar to find users, videos, sounds, and more on TikTok

Co-authored by Jenna Jean Davis and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: October 15, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Using the Mobile App

|

Using a Web Browser

|

Video

|

Expert Interview

|

Q&A

|

Tips

Are you new to TikTok and not sure how to search videos? Searching for trending hashtags and songs can also give you ideas on new videos for you to create. This wikiHow article teaches you how to search for videos on TikTok on your iPhone, iPad, Android, or computer.

Finding and Viewing TikTok Videos

To search for videos on TikTok, tap the magnifying glass at the top of your For You page. Enter any keywords, and then sort by people, videos, sounds, live streams, or hashtags.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Mobile App

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This looks like a music note with a black background. If needed, you can install TikTok or create an account .
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/23\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
Tap the magnifying glass icon. This is in the top-right corner.
- By default, you'll see your For You page.
Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Type your search. Before you press "Enter" or "Search" on your keyboard, you'll see a list of recommended search results appear in a drop-down below the search box. You can tap one of these to see that search, or you can press "Enter" or "Search" on your phone's keyboard to see all your search results.
- Your search results will be sorted between Top , Users , Videos , Sounds , Hashtags , and more.
- To filter your results, tap ••• in the top-right corner and tap Filters . Select the sorting, video category, and/or date posted, and then tap Apply . ^{[1]
  X
  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Web Browser

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Go to https://tiktok.com in a web browser. You must be logged into your account to search for videos. Otherwise, you'll only be able to search for users and use the Explore page.
- To log in, click Log in in the top-right corner and select a method. Enter your password.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ca\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
Click the search bar. It's centered at the top of the page.
- If you only want to use the Explore page, or if you don't know what to search for, click Explore in the left panel to browse TikTok's featured videos.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e1\/Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Search-Videos-on-Tiktok-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Enter your search. As you type the search query, you'll see some search results populate below. You can either click these results or press Enter/Return on your keyboard.
- Filter the search by clicking the Top , Accounts , and Videos tabs at the top.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

I followed the steps under Discover to search, but I still couldn't see the search box. How can I search?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

These instructions are using the mobile app for Android or iOS. If you're using a web browser, the steps may be different.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 1
Question

I can't find it. It just says discovery. What do I do?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You want to tap the "Discover" tab at the bottom of your screen and you'll see the search bar at the top. When you're watching videos on your For You page (FYP) or those you're following, you'll also see a magnifying glass on the top right corner of every video. But that's only if you're using the mobile app, as described in this article. If you're using a web browser or a mobile browser, "Discovery" is just a heading and will list clickable trending results. Click those to see more of that trending content.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1
Question

How do I use a Kindle on TikTok?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

See if you can download the app. If not, you'll need to use the web browser version.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If you like a video before logging in, you'll be prompted to log in.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Browsing the "Discover" tab to see what's trending is a great way to understand which content is popular and get your videos on the FYP.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you want to search for a specific hashtag, just tap the hashtag in the video description to see all the tagged posts.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

[1]

Log in

2 Simple Ways to Search for and Find Videos on TikTok

Finding and Viewing TikTok Videos

Steps

Using the Mobile App

Using a Web Browser

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

References

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories