TikTok is becoming more than just a place for short, entertaining videos. Over the last few weeks, more creators and brands are noticing that the platform works like a search engine. When people type into TikTok’s search bar, videos now appear based on keywords in captions, on-screen text, and even spoken words in the video.

This means marketers are starting to write captions with specific keywords that match what users might search for. For example, instead of writing something vague like “Winter vibes,” a brand might write “Best winter skincare tips.” The result is more chances for that content to appear in search results when people look for those terms.
For businesses, this opens up new ways to reach audiences. A clothing brand can highlight seasonal styles, a local restaurant can name popular dishes, and a tutorial channel can use “how to” phrases to match what people type.
Creators and companies that start adding these keywords now have an advantage. As TikTok continues to develop its search features, early adopters could gain more visibility and followers faster than competitors who wait.