TikTok’s new keyword tool: How artists can boost reach and get discovered faster
TikTok now lets creators manually manage keywords on their content. Here’s what it means for artists, and how to use it to your advantage.
TikTok is giving creators more control over how their content gets discovered. The platform has introduced a new keyword management tool, allowing users to manually add and remove keywords tied to their words. In simple terms, that means creators now get a saw in how TikTok categorises your content.
For artists and creators, that could make a real difference when it comes to reaching the right audience.
TikTok’s new keyword tool, explained
TikTok’s latest keyword feature gives creators the ability to manage the keywords associated with their videos. It builds on the existing tool that automatically assigned keywords based on user behaviour and content searches. Now, this update adds a manual layer of control that wasn’t previously possible.
As shown by screenshots shared by app researcher Jonah Manzano, creators can now suggest keywords that they want their content to rank for, as well as block keywords they feel are inaccurate or irrelevant. It’s a subtle change that could have a meaningful impact on discoverability.
Crucially though, TikTok still has the final say on any suggestions. The platform prevents creators from adding terms that are not relevant to their videos.
Why this matters for artists and creators
If you’re releasing music or building an audience on TikTok, discoverability is key. This update gives you another way to fine-tune how your content is positioned within TikTok’s search engine.
By adding relevant keywords, you’re essentially helping TikTok understand exactly who should be seeing your content. That could mean getting your videos in front of potential fans searching for specific sounds, genres, or trends.
As SocialMediaToday points out, it could also help solve a particular frustration. Automated keyword tagging may not always be perfect and instead harm your reach in the process. With the ability to remove or block irrelevant keywords, creators now have a way to correct it.
Of course, there’s a balance to strike too, though. Over-editing or removing too many keywords could limit your reach, especially given TikTok’s algorithm is likely to get keyword matches correct in the first place. Like most things on social media platforms, it’s all about working with the algorithm.
How artists and creators can use TikTok keywords
If you’re an artist or creator, this feature isn’t just about adding a few words and hoping for the best. Used properly, it can become part of a wider content and release strategy.
Start with research
Want to maximize your content’s reach? Spend time exploring TikTok’s search page, TikTok Studio, or TikTok Trends to see what people are actively searching for. Use this as inspiration for the type of trending keywords you could use for your content.
Review your keywords
TikTok will still automatically generate suggestions. So take a moment to check them before you post. If you don’t think some are a good fit, swap them out for something more relevant and aligned with your target audience.
Think long-term
It’s also worth considering your strategy long-term. If you’re building a consistent artist brand or aesthetic, using similar keyword themes across your posts could help TikTok better understand your niche over time. That way, it should help push your content to that same target audience of yours.
Captions and on-screen text
Another smart move is to align keywords with your captions and on-screen text. TikTok pulls signals from multiple sources, so keeping everything consistent should strengthen your chances of being correctly categorised.
Test and learn
And finally, try different keyword combinations across your posts. See what performs best and lean into that. With TikTok’s trends constantly evolving, small tweaks like this can sometimes unlock huge results.
Final thoughts
TikTok’s keyword tool might seem like a small tweak, but it represents a bigger move toward giving creators more control over their reach on the platform. For artists and creators, it offers another way to improve your content’s discoverability, helping you to connect with the right audience.
And if you’re serious about growing your presence on TikTok, you can get your music onto the platform with RouteNote.