No, TikTok isn't necessarily better without hashtags; they still help the algorithm understand your content and audience, boosting discoverability, but they're less critical than they used to be as the algorithm also analyzes captions, sounds, and on-screen text for keywords, making strong SEO and engaging content the top priority, especially for established creators. While some creators skip them, using a few relevant hashtags can still increase engagement, especially for new accounts or niche content.
You don't need to use hashtags on your videos anymore. The algorithm scans your content and reads your description to know what it's about. Although I'd still use them for niche topics, just in case.
Stop relying on hashtags to make you go viral- instead focus on SEO to help with keywords/phrases !
The TikTok 3-second rule is a content strategy emphasizing that you must hook a viewer within the first three seconds of a video to prevent them from scrolling away, significantly impacting watch time, completion rates, and algorithmic favorability for the For You Page (FYP). This rule highlights the need for immediate visual impact, strong curiosity gaps (questions/mysteries), fast cuts, emotional triggers, or bold text to stop the scroll and signal video quality to the algorithm, though some suggest the attention span is shrinking to even one second.
In 2022, head of Instagram Adam Mosseri posted to his feed that hashtags will not help you get more views and engagement on your post. This was confusing to users because then the question was, “What does help us become more find-able?” Instagram implemented a new search feature that makes it easier to find posts.
The 3x3 hashtag rule is a social media strategy for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, suggesting you use three categories of hashtags, with three hashtags in each category, for a total of nine relevant tags per post, focusing on your audience (who), your offering (what), and the problem solved (why) to boost discoverability. It's about intentionality, not just quantity, aiming for quality, targeted tags over spammy lists, though Instagram is also testing limits of just 3-5 highly specific tags.
TikTok: Lightning-fast virality
According to social media marketing experts and industry observations, videos reaching 1 Million views within three days or 3-5 Million views in a week often get labeled as “viral.” However, TikTok hasn't officially defined these metrics and viral thresholds can vary significantly.
All you gotta do is:
TikTok pays creators between $0.02 and $0.04 per 1,000 views, which comes from the Creator Fund. This means that one million views could generate between $20 and $40.
It lets you set a daily screen time limit so that you get notified when you reach that time on TikTok. You can turn this setting on and off at any time. You can also view your screen time summary in your activity center. Note: If you're between the ages of 13 and 17, the setting is turned on by default to 1 hour.
If you want to go viral on TikTok, you need to make your videos worth engaging with. The algorithm is really looking at your account's engagement frequency, or how often users interact with a video. This will indicate that the content is truly engaging to viewers.
Users believe that by using the #fyp hashtag, their video will have a better chance of making it to the FYP, but this is false. The goal is to use hashtags as a tool, not a shortcut, so you don't miss out on keywords relevant to your content.
So is it easier to grow on TikTok or Instagram? It depends. TikTok, with its highly engaging algorithm and viral potential, can give brands a quicker growth spurt, while Instagram requires a more strategic approach but more access to quality partnership opportunities.
You don't need any hashtags to go viral. If we're being honest, it might even be better to not use hashtags.
Takeaway. Despite all those possible excuses I just offered, one thing is pretty clear: just using hashtags doesn't increase engagement. If you want more likes and comments, you need to think a little more creatively.
Hashtags related to self-harm or suicide are banned to protect vulnerable users and prevent the spread of harmful content. To ensure content quality and user experience, TikTok bans hashtags that lead to spammy or low-quality posts.
One of the most innovative ways TikTok allows its creators to make money is through its Creator Marketplace, TikTok One. TikTok One connects brands with creators so they can get paid for creating sponsored content.
What is the value of a TikTok Rose? A TikTok Rose is worth 1 coin or around $0.01 USD. Though low in value, Roses are frequently sent and help maintain consistent engagement during streams.
In some cases, earnings may be higher than the typical Creator Fund. Typically, creators participating in the TikTok Creator Rewards Program can expect earnings to range from $0.4 to $1 per 1,000 views.
The TikTok 3-second rule means creators have only about three seconds (sometimes less) to hook viewers before they scroll away, making the start of the video crucial for retention, algorithm favorability, and higher view counts. This short window demands immediate action, value, or visual interest, often by showing the end result first, using fast cuts, text overlays, or trending sounds to stop the scroll and signal quality to TikTok's algorithm.
How to get more views on TikTok: 12 strategies for growth (even with no followers)
They found that the best times (ET) to post are:
Going viral on TikTok isn't about luck — it's about alignment. The right sound, the right moment, the right audience. One clip can reach millions, introduce your music to people you never could've reached locally, and open doors you didn't even know were there.
Understanding What Makes a Video Go Viral
People don't just share information, they share experiences that make them feel something. Videos that evoke laughter, awe, inspiration, or even outrage tend to spread faster because they trigger emotional responses strong enough to inspire action.