How to Use TikTok’s Keyword Insights Tool for Better Video SEO

TikTok isn’t just a platform for entertainment anymore—it’s a search engine. With over 1 billion monthly active users and a growing emphasis on searchability, understanding how to optimize your content for TikTok’s algorithm has never been more important. One of the most powerful tools available to help with this? TikTok’s Keyword Insights Tool.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about using TikTok’s Keyword Insights Tool to improve your video SEO, get found faster, and grow your audience organically.

If your goal is to land on TikTok’s coveted For You Page (FYP), understanding keywords is just one part of the equation. For a full breakdown of how to boost visibility and trigger the algorithm, check out our blog on how to get on TikTok FYP. It covers everything from content structure to timing—so you can give your videos the best chance to go viral.

What is TikTok’s Keyword Insights Tool?

TikTok’s Keyword Insights Tool is a free resource found within TikTok Creative Center. It shows you which keywords and phrases are trending in TikTok ads and organic videos, including how often they’re used, their click-through rates, and more.

Think of it as Google Keyword Planner—but for short-form video.

Whether you're creating educational content, product tutorials, or viral challenges, using the right keywords can boost visibility. The Keyword Insights

Tool helps you discover:

• Top-performing phrases

• Engagement metrics for each keyword

• How creators are using them in captions and voiceovers

• Creative examples and ad inspiration

  
  

Why Keywords Matter on TikTok

If you think SEO is just for Google or YouTube, think again. TikTok is becoming a major discovery engine, with more users turning to it for search results—from “best skincare tips” to “affordable meal prep ideas.”

Here’s how keywords influence TikTok SEO:

• Search Discoverability: TikTok now surfaces videos in response to user searches. Including relevant keywords in your captions, text overlays, and voiceovers makes your content more likely to appear in those results.

• For You Page (FYP) Ranking: TikTok’s algorithm uses signals like engagement and keyword relevance to decide which videos to show on FYPs. Keyword optimization increases your chances of being pushed to a wider audience.

• User Intent Matching: Just like Google, TikTok tries to match content with the viewer’s intent. Keywords help the algorithm understand your topic and match it to what users are looking for.

  
  

Where to Find the TikTok Keyword Insights Tool

You can access the Keyword Insights Tool via the TikTok Creative Center. No ad spend or business account is required to use it—just log in with your TikTok account.

Inside the tool, you’ll find a simple dashboard where you can:

• Search keywords by relevance or popularity

• Filter by country, industry, or time period

• Explore top-performing keywords in ad voiceovers, captions, and text overlays

  
  

How to Use the Keyword Insights Tool (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Identify Your Content Goals

Before diving into keywords, ask yourself:

• What kind of content am I creating? (Tutorial, product demo, lifestyle tip, etc.)

• Who is my target audience?

• What problem does my content solve?

• What topics are relevant to my brand or niche?

  
  

Clarity on your goals will help you filter and select the right keywords.

Step 2: Search for Relevant Terms

In the Keyword Insights dashboard, type in a broad topic. For example, if you're creating a skincare video, start with “acne,” “glow,” or “hydration.”

You’ll get a list of related keywords with:

• Popularity score

• Usage in ad creatives

• Average CTR (click-through rate)

• Example videos that used the term

  
  

This helps you find both high-traffic and high-performing keywords.

Step 3: Evaluate Keyword Metrics

Don’t just pick the most popular keyword. Consider:

• CTR: A higher click-through rate means the keyword often results in engagement.

• Conversion: If applicable, look for keywords with high action rates (like downloads, purchases, etc.)

• Recency: Filter by timeframe to find keywords trending now.

  
  

This helps you strike the right balance between relevance and reach.

Step 4: Check the Context

The tool also shows how each keyword is used in real videos. Pay attention to whether the phrase is used in:

• Captions

• Text overlays

• Voiceovers

  
  

This insight helps you decide where to place keywords in your own content.

Where to Use Keywords in Your TikTok Videos

Once you’ve picked your keywords, here’s how to use them effectively for SEO:

1. Captions

Write short, engaging captions that include your primary keyword naturally. Avoid stuffing multiple unrelated keywords—this can confuse the algorithm and your viewers.

Example: Instead of “Best face mask acne pores hydration glow beauty,” say: “This hydrating face mask is a game-changer for acne-prone skin 👇”

2. Text Overlays

TikTok’s algorithm can read on-screen text. Use your keyword early in the video as part of the text overlay.

Example: “How I cleared my acne in 2 weeks 💧” – Here, “cleared my acne” is the keyword.

3. Voiceover

TikTok’s AI can detect spoken words. If you’re narrating your video, try to include your target phrase early in the audio.

Example: “If you’re struggling with acne, try this three-step routine…”

4. Hashtags

While not directly part of the Keyword Insights Tool, hashtags that match your chosen keyword help reinforce your content’s topic. Use a mix of trending and niche-specific hashtags.

Example Use Case: Small Business Selling Skincare

Let’s say you sell a charcoal face mask. Here's how you might use the tool and apply the findings:

• Search Term: “Charcoal mask”

• Discovered Keyword: “Detox pores”

• CTR: 4.2% (above average)

• Examples: Videos with this phrase in the first 3 seconds performed best

  
  

Your Optimization Strategy:

• Caption: “This charcoal mask detoxes pores in minutes 🖤”

• Overlay Text: “Detox your pores fast”

• Voiceover: “I’ve been using this charcoal mask to detox my pores, and the difference is unreal.”

• Hashtags: #charcoalmask #detoxpores #skincareroutine

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With just one insight from the tool, you’ve optimized every part of your video for better discoverability.

Advanced Tips for Using the Keyword Insights Tool

🔍 Explore Seasonal Trends

Filter the keyword data by date range. This helps you spot seasonal patterns—like keywords that spike during summer, holidays, or back-to-school season.

🧠 Cross-Reference with TikTok Trends

Use the Trend Discovery tool in TikTok Creative Center alongside Keyword Insights to spot content patterns that go with trending keywords.

🧑‍💼 Segment by Industry

If you're in beauty, fitness, food, or another niche, use the industry filter to get more relevant keyword data. This ensures your keywords are aligned with what’s currently popular in your vertical.

🎯 Use Long-Tail Keywords

Try targeting long-tail keywords like “best serum for acne scars” instead of just “serum” or “acne.” These are less competitive and often reflect strong user intent.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the right tools, mistakes can sabotage your SEO strategy. Watch out for these:

• Keyword Stuffing: Jamming multiple keywords into one caption looks spammy and reduces engagement.

• Ignoring Relevance: Don’t use trending keywords that have nothing to do with your video just to chase views.

• Skipping Voiceover and Overlay: If you rely solely on hashtags and captions, you’re missing opportunities to help TikTok understand your content context.

• Neglecting Video Quality: Keywords won’t help a poorly edited or boring video. Content still comes first.

  
  

How Often Should You Use the Tool?

Consistency is key. Ideally, check the Keyword Insights Tool:

• Before each content batch: To guide your themes and scripts.

• Weekly: To catch new trending terms.

• Post-performance reviews: Use it to diagnose underperforming videos by comparing the keywords you used to those currently trending.

  
  

What Happens When You Use the Right Keywords?

When your videos are keyword-optimized, you’ll start noticing:

• More impressions from search and suggested content

• Higher watch time due to relevance

• Better engagement from the right audience

• A gradual increase in followers who are genuinely interested in your niche

  
  

Essentially, good keywords help your content work smarter—not harder.

How Alkai Can Help You Boost TikTok SEO with Smarter Captions and Hashtags

Want to improve your TikTok SEO without spending hours researching keywords? That’s where Alkai comes in.

Alkai is your AI-powered social media assistant, designed to help small businesses and creators create keyword-optimized content that gets discovered.

With Alkai, you can:

✅ Instantly generate TikTok captions tailored to your brand voice

✅ Get high-performing hashtags based on your niche, audience, and goals

✅ Include SEO-friendly phrases that align with TikTok’s algorithm

✅ Auto-schedule optimized videos across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and more

Whether you want to reach new audiences, drive engagement, or boost visibility in TikTok search—Alkai makes it simple to build a smarter, SEO-driven content strategy.

Captions that convert. Hashtags that rank. Let Alkai optimize your TikTok content from start to scroll.

Final Thoughts: SEO Isn’t Just for Google Anymore

TikTok’s Keyword Insights Tool bridges creativity and strategy. It helps you create content that doesn’t just entertain—but gets seen, ranked, and clicked on.

In a world where TikTok is becoming Gen Z’s go-to search engine, understanding keyword optimization gives your videos a competitive edge. Whether you're a business, creator, or agency, leveraging TikTok SEO is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the best way to find TikTok SEO keywords?

The most effective way is by using TikTok’s Keyword Insights Tool inside the TikTok Creative Center. Simply search a broad topic relevant to your content, and the tool will show you trending keywords, performance metrics like CTR, and how each keyword is being used in top-performing videos. You can also pair this with TikTok's Trend Discovery and your own niche research for best results.

Can I use TikTok Keyword Tool for free?

Yes, the TikTok Keyword Insights Tool is completely free to use. You don’t need to run ads or have a business account. All you need is a TikTok login to access the Creative Center and explore keyword data, trending topics, and creative insights.

Where should I place keywords in my TikTok video?

For optimal SEO, include your primary keyword in the caption, text overlay, and voiceover. TikTok’s algorithm reads all three to determine the content’s topic and relevance. Placing the keyword early in the video—both visually and audibly—can boost discoverability and help your video rank in TikTok search.

4. Do hashtags count as keywords on TikTok?

Hashtags function similarly to keywords but are slightly different. They help categorize content and signal trends, but TikTok’s Keyword Insights Tool doesn’t track hashtag performance. Still, combining relevant hashtags with your chosen keywords in captions can strengthen your video’s context and visibility.

How often should I use the TikTok Keyword Insights Tool?

For consistent performance, use the tool at least once a week or before creating a new batch of content. Trends on TikTok move fast, so staying current with popular phrases and shifts in user interest ensures your content stays discoverable and relevant.