TikTok is a treasure trove of entertainment and information, thanks to its viral videos and trending hashtags. So, have you ever wondered how TikTok keeps you hooked? It is all about the power of hashtags!
What are Hashtags and How Do they Work?
TikTok hashtags are words or key phrases preceded by the hashtag (#) symbol that categorize content, making it super easy to browse and discover new videos. Think of them as stylish keywords that help you find what you are interested in.
Some popular Tiktok hashtags include:
- #fyp (55.2T views) #foryou (31.6T) #viral (21.5T) #foryoupage (19.4T) #tiktok (7.2T) #fy (6.1T)
- #trending (5.4T) #funny (4.2T) #duet (3.5T) #comedy (2.2T) #love (1.6T) #meme (1.3T)
- #tiktokindia (1.1T) #funnyvideos (995.2B) #learnontiktok (855.4B) #music (823.3B)
- #video (752.9B) #like (739.7B) #memes (650.4B) #cute (611.1B) #prank (542.7B)
Just like on Instagram or Twitter, adding a hashtag to a TikTok video makes it discoverable to anyone searching for that hashtag. For example, if you are into gaming and search for #gaming, you will find gaming-related content. Or, if you are a book lover, searching for #BookTok will take you straight to the vibrant TikTok subculture dedicated to all things books.
Creators use these hashtags to expand their reach and jump on trends, while TikTok’s algorithm works its magic to serve you a personalized feed. It is a win-win situation for both! You get to see content you love, and creators get to connect with their audience.
Did you know that entertainment content gets the most hashtag views on TikTok, with a whopping 535 billion views? Dance comes in second with 181 billion views, followed by categories like pranks, fitness and sports, home renovations/DIY, and beauty/skincare. So, whether you are into the latest dance craze or DIY home projects, hashtags help you dive right into the action.
But let us face it—endlessly scrolling through irrelevant content on TikTok can be tiring. Blocking specific hashtags can enhance your experience by filtering out content that you do not want. So, to keep those uninteresting videos at bay, you can do it by using the “Filter Video Keywords” feature or blocking hashtags directly from videos.
Method 1: How to Block Hashtags on Tiktok Using Filter Video Keywords
Step 1: Open TikTok and Go to Your Profile
Tap the profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen to open your profile.
Step 2: Access Settings and Privacy
Click on the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right corner and select “Settings and privacy” from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Find the Content Preferences Section
Scroll down until you find the “Content preferences” option. Tap on it to proceed.
Step 4: Choose Filter Video Keywords
Within the “Content preferences” section, select “Filter video keywords.”
Step 5: Add Keywords or Hashtags to Block
Tap on “Add keywords” and type in the specific hashtags you want to block. Remember to include the “#” symbol before the keyword. Select where to apply the filter (For You page, Following, Friends, and/or STEM page).
Step 6: Save Your Changes
After adding the keywords, save your changes by tapping “Done” or “Save.” TikTok will now filter out videos containing those hashtags from your feed.
Method 2: How to Block Hashtags on TikTok Directly from Videos
Follow these easy steps to block annoying hashtags right from the video.
Step 1: Open TikTok and Start Watching Videos
Scroll through your TikTok feed as usual and find a video with the hashtag you want to block.
Step 2: Access the Options Menu
Tap and hold on the video until a menu appears with various options such as “Save Video,” “Add to Favorites,” and “Not Interested.”
Step 3: Select “Not Interested”
In the menu, tap on the “Not Interested” option. This will signal to TikTok that you do not want to see similar content.
Step 4: Provide Feedback
After selecting “Not Interested,” TikTok may prompt you with additional options to fine-tune your preferences. If you see an option to hide specific hashtags or similar content, such as “Hide videos with this sound” or “Hide videos with this hashtag”, select it.
Step 5: Repeat as Necessary
For the best results, repeat this process with other videos containing hashtags you want to block. Over time, TikTok will learn your preferences and show fewer videos with those hashtags.
Pros of Blocking Hashtags on TikTok
a. For Greater Control
Blocking hashtags gives you greater control over your TikTok feed. As a parent, you might be concerned about how TikTok impacts your child’s life. Blocking hashtags becomes useful, especially if you want to ensure your children are not exposed to inappropriate content.
b. Relevant Feed
Filtering out irrelevant hashtags to get only feeds that align more with your interests will provide you with a more enjoyable browsing experience.
c. Minimal Distraction
Blocking distracting or repetitive hashtags can help you stay focused and reduce time spent on less engaging content.
d. Smooth App Experience
With fewer unwanted videos, your TikTok experience becomes smoother and more pleasant as you spend less time scrolling past content you do not care about.
e. Fewer Annoying Trends
Blocking overdone or annoying trends helps you avoid content that you find irritating, making your TikTok experience more enjoyable.
Cons of Blocking Hashtags on TikTok
While blocking hashtags can give you more control over your TikTok experience, it is important to consider some potential downsides. Here is what you might miss out on:
a. Missing Important Content
Imagine missing that crucial update or a helpful tip just because you blocked a related hashtag. Blocking certain hashtags might result in missing out on essential or valuable content that uses those tags.
b. Limited Exposure to the Latest Trends
Picture yourself out of the loop when everyone else is talking about the latest viral sensation. By filtering out trending hashtags, you might not stay updated with the latest viral content and trends.
c. Fewer Engagements and Interactions
Think about the missed opportunities for connecting with others and joining exciting challenges. Blocking hashtags can reduce your engagement and interaction on the platform, as you may miss out on popular discussions and challenges.
Reasons You May Still See Blocked Hashtags on TikTok
Even if you block a hashtag on TikTok, you might still come across it. Here is why:
a. Different Feeds
Blocking a hashtag in one feed does not automatically block it across all feeds. For example, blocking a hashtag on the “For You Page” (FYP) will not prevent it from appearing in your “Following” feed. So, to avoid seeing blocked hashtags on TikTok, make sure you block hashtags in all feeds where you might see them to avoid unwanted content.
b. Spelling Errors
Users often get creative with spellings. If a hashtag is misspelled or uses different characters (e.g., #gaming, #g4ming, #gaaming), it might bypass your filters. Watch out for those inventive spellings that can still show up.
c. New Hashtags
New hashtags similar to the ones you have blocked can emerge. TikTok may not catch these new variations immediately. Therefore, be prepared for new hashtags that can slip through and show up in your feed.
d. Technical Glitches
Occasional technical glitches or bugs in the TikTok app can cause blocked hashtags to reappear. Technical hiccups can occasionally override your settings, but they are usually temporary.
e. Limit on Adding Tags
TikTok sometimes limits the number of hashtags you can block, which means you might not be able to block every unwanted tag, especially if you have exceeded the capacity. When you reach the limit, prioritize which hashtags to block based on your preferences.
f. Live TikToks Remain Unfiltered
Live videos often bypass hashtag filters, allowing blocked tags to appear during live streams. Live content can be spontaneous and might not always adhere to your hashtag filters.
Tips to Avoid Annoying Content if Still Appears on TikTok
In addition to using the “Filter Video Keywords” feature or blocking hashtags directly from videos, here are some extra methods to filter out unwanted content on TikTok for a better experience:
a. Block Account
If you want to avoid content from a specific account, you can block it entirely. This will prevent you from seeing any posts from that account.
Steps:
- Go to the account’s page
- Click the arrow in the top right corner
- Select “Block” from the bottom row of options
b. Filter Spam and Offensive Comments
The comment section can be toxic. Hide offensive comments or spam from bots using TikTok’s settings.
Steps:
- Go to your profile.
- Click the three horizontal bars at the top right.
- Select “Settings and privacy” > “Privacy” > “Comments.”
- Toggle on “Filter spam and offensive comments.”
c. Filter Keywords in Comments
Restrict comments with specific keywords on your posts to avoid unwanted topics.
Steps:
- Go to your profile.
- Click the three horizontal bars at the top right.
- Select “Settings and privacy” > “Privacy” > “Comments.”
- Toggle on “Filter keywords.”
- Click “Add keywords” and enter the words you want to hide.
d. Mute Post Notifications
You can stop receiving notifications from specific accounts by muting their post notifications.
Steps:
- Go to the account’s page.
- Click the bell icon in the top right corner.
- Select “None” from the list of options.
Conclusion
With these tips, you can train the TikTok algorithm to show content that aligns with your interests. Next time you see content that does not match your hobbies, you will know exactly what to do!
FAQs
Q1. Why should you block TikTok hashtags?
Blocking TikTok hashtags helps in creating a more personalized and enjoyable feed by filtering out unwanted content.
Q2. How do I block keywords on TikTok?
You can block keywords on TikTok by using the “Filter Video Keywords” feature in the app’s settings.
Q3. How do I get rid of TikTok hashtags?
You can reduce the appearance of certain hashtags by marking videos as “Not Interested” or using keyword filters.
Q4. Why is there no option to block specific hashtags on TikTok?
TikTok currently does not offer a direct option to block specific hashtags, but the available methods can still help manage unwanted content.
Q5. Can I block hashtags in specific feeds like For You Page or Following?
Yes, you can block hashtags in the For You Page by marking videos as “Not Interested” and using the “Filter Video Keywords” feature for more control.
Q6. What happens when I mark a video as “Not Interested”?
When you mark a video as “Not Interested,” TikTok uses your feedback to adjust the content it shows on your For You Page, helping to reduce unwanted hashtags.
Q7. How many keywords can I add to the “Filter Video Keywords” list?
TikTok has a limit on the number of keywords you can add. Check the settings to see the current limit and manage your keywords accordingly.
Q8. Do live videos follow the same hashtag filters as regular videos?
No, live videos on TikTok often bypass the hashtag filters, so blocked hashtags may still appear in live streams.
Q9. What should I do if I still see blocked hashtags?
If you continue to see blocked hashtags, try checking for spelling variations, updating your filters, or restarting the app. Technical glitches might also be a factor.
Q10. Can I block hashtags for specific groups, like friends or followers?
While TikTok doesn’t allow blocking hashtags for specific groups, you can customize your feed by managing your followers and using the “Not Interested” feature.