How To Use TikTok To Grow a Business in 2026
TikTok has evolved far beyond trend dances and lip-syncing clips. It’s one of the most powerful discovery and search platforms available today, and it’s where people go to learn, connect, and shop. We use TikTok every day to help our clients grow their visibility, reach new audiences, and turn viewers into customers.
Since launching in 2016, it has grown to more than 1.5 billion active users, but the most important shift is who is using it. Millennials and Gen X are now some of the most engaged demographics on the app, especially when it comes to learning, shopping, and following niche experts.
If you want your business to stay relevant and competitive, TikTok should be part of your strategy. Here’s how I approach it for myself and my clients.
Use Strategic Hashtags (But Don’t Overdo Them)
Hashtags still help categorize your content, but the real magic now comes from keywords in your captions and spoken words in your video. TikTok’s algorithm listens, remembers, and distributes your content accordingly.
My go-to hashtag approach:
Mix broad and niche hashtags
Use industry-specific keywords
Add branded hashtags when it makes sense
Keep it clean and uncluttered
Think of hashtags as seasoning. Enough to enhance the flavor, not enough to overpower the dish.
Encourage User-Generated Content
UGC continues to be one of the highest-converting forms of content on TikTok. People trust people, especially when they speak casually and authentically about using a product or service.
How I help clients drive more UGC:
Add branded reminders to packaging or receipts
Share prompts that inspire customers to tag the brand
Set up in-store or event “TikTok-friendly” zones
Host giveaways that require UGC for entry
Repost and engage with UGC generously
And in 2026, UGC doesn’t only happen organically. Many brands now collaborate with creators to produce UGC-style content on demand. It’s one of the easiest ways to scale realistic, relatable videos that feel native to the platform.
Stay Consistent With Your Posting Strategy
Consistency is everything on TikTok. You don’t need to post daily, but you do need a plan. Series content performs especially well because it trains your audience to come back for more.
Some content categories I use:
Quick tips
FAQ videos
Behind the scenes
Tutorials
Before/after transformations
Reaction videos
Customer success stories
Once you find what resonates, keep building on it.
Treat TikTok as a Search Engine
One of the biggest shifts in the past few years is how people use TikTok to search for information. SEO now matters just as much on TikTok as it does on Google.
That means your captions should include natural, long-tail phrases like:
how to style linen pants
best gifts for new homeowners
how to improve your TikTok engagement
TikTok indexes it all, which helps your videos show up exactly when your audience needs them.
Use the Platform’s Ad Options Wisely
TikTok’s ad platform has matured, making it easier to run campaigns that reach the right people at the right time.
Here’s what I use most often:
Video Ads
Short, strong visuals with clear CTAs. Great for awareness and driving traffic.
Spark Ads
One of my personal favorites. Spark Ads let you boost organic content — either from your own account or from a creator. They feel natural, which makes them incredibly effective.
Carousel Ads
Perfect for showcasing multiple products or telling a more detailed story.
TopView Ads
High-impact and ideal for launches, big announcements, or broad brand awareness.
Branded Effects
Custom AR filters and interactive effects that encourage creativity and participation.
The key is keeping the content feeling true to TikTok. If it looks like an old-school ad, people will scroll faster than you can say “skip.”
Ready To Grow With TikTok?
TikTok is an incredible opportunity for businesses that want more visibility, engagement, and sales. Whether you’re building awareness or launching a new product, the platform gives you direct access to customers who are already searching, watching, and ready to interact.
If you want help creating a tailored TikTok strategy, optimizing your content, or running ads that actually convert, we’d love to partner with you.